The Bishop Ireton Cardinals have one of their youngest wrestling teams in a number of years. The Cardinals, coached by Scott Racek, currently weigh in with a 7-11 dual match record.

A recent victory over Alexandria City rival Episcopal was one of the bright spots of the season thus far.

"This is probably the youngest team we've had in my six seasons, and we are wrestling probably the toughest schedule in my six seasons," said Racek.

Ireton will wrestle O'Connell and Paul VI in separate matches in the near future.

Thus far, a number of Cardinal grapplers have turned in excellent seasons: Sophomore Jon Horbaly (103 or 112 pounds); junior Mark Malloy (103 or 112 pounds); sophomore Chris Bass (also 112 pounds); junior Brendan Pauls (119); freshman Kwinten Brown (125); junior Andrew Herley (130); junior Gabe Lamois (130); freshman Jay Regnor (135); junior Chris Williams (140); senior captain Jeremy Barker (145); junior Paul Boulette (152); senior captain Seamus Owens (160); sophomore Matt Fogarty (171); freshman Mark Wu (189); junior James Solier (215); and sophomore Jake Valentino (275-heavyweight).

A number of promising freshmen include Kevin Lockard, Brian McCarthy, Chris Hellmuth and Jessie Collie.

Pauls and Owens are ranked high by the Journal newspapers. Pauls' 20 pins is one of the highest totals in Cardinal history.

"Brendan is definitely a superb wrestler," Racek said. "He needs to be able to go six full minutes with authority in those matches when he is not able to pin his man."

The Paul VI Panthers will be a team to be reckoned with in the upcoming conference wrestling championships to be held Feb. 2 at McNamara.

Thus far, the Panthers weigh in with an overall dual match record of 4-3. The Panthers have defeated: Georgetown Prep, Saint Stephens/Saint Agnes, St. Johns and Episcopal.

John Welcher coaches the Panthers. In the past few seasons, PVI has finished in the upper tier of the conference. Last season, the Panthers defeated perennial powerhouse DeMatha in dual match competition.

So far this season, a number of Panthers have turned in excellent seasons: Sophomore Paul Eiden (103 pounds); sophomore Mike Dowe (112 pounds); junior Bill Galvin has been hurt most of the season, thus PVI has forfeited 90 percent of their matches at 119 pounds; senior Joey Carpenter (125); freshman Conrad Andrews (125); sophomore Kurt Weimer (130); sophomore Frankie Keel (135) and senior Jamie Kay (135); the Panthers have forfeited 140 weight class much of the season]; senior Matt Horton (145; sophomore Mike Aldonas (152) and senior Chris LeBouiver (152); junior P.J. Worosz (160); sophomore Jeff Monti (171); senior Ed Watkins (189); sophomore Jeff Marcey (215); and senior Tim Alderman (275-heavyweight).

The Paul VI captains are Joey Carpenter, Jamie Kay, Matt Horton and Ed Watkins.

"Our captains are very hard working," Welcher said. "They are team oriented and they help the younger guys get better."

The Washington Post ranks both Horton and Worosz very high. Watkins won the Cavalier Classic, finished second at the Richmond Invitational, finished fifth at the NOVA Classic and finished sixth at the Eagle Invitational.