By David Steinbacher
Special to the Herald
(From the issue of 1/15/04)

The O’Connell Knights are also having an excellent season on the wrestling mat. The Knights, coached by Bill Carpenter, weigh-in with an overall dual match record of 7-2.

The "Royal Blue and Silver" have defeated Episcopal (52-21), Landon (39-32), Potomac School (39-27), Wilson (54-18), Paul VI (44-32), Georgetown Prep (40-32) and Gonzaga (59-18).

The Knights were thumped by DeMatha but merely dropped a three point match to St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes.

"The kids have been working hard," said Coach Carpenter.

Fourteen wrestlers have seen significant varsity action this season: freshman Drew Carpenter (103 pounds), senior Vonn Lewis (112), sophomore James Ingram (119), sophomore Scott Stowe (125), senior Norman Anderson (130), sophomore Mark Lee-Tanedo (135), freshman Glenn Hastings (140), junior Kris Park (145), junior Kyle Hastings (152), junior Shane Hayre (160), senior Steve Ratley (171), junior Mike Laird (189), senior Warren Negri (215), and senior Ed Lynch (275).

"All of the seniors are the team captains. They’re all really working hard," said the veteran coach.

In terms of wins/losses/pins: Lynch (25 wins/four losses/23 pins), Park (21/three/eight), Ratley (19/one/15), Carpenter (17/five/10), Laird (15/five/14), Lewis (14/five/two), Negri (14/six/nine), Anderson (12/six/seven), Kyle Hastings (11/seven/five) and Hayre (11/seven/four). These spearhead the Knights efforts in 2003-04.

At the prestigious "NOVA Classic" Ratley was chosen as the "outstanding wrestler" as he pinned all five of his opponents. Ratley was injured all of last season thus hadn’t wrestled competitively since his sophomore year.

"My knee is fine. I wrestled all summer. I came back even more determined this season," said Ratley, who won the WCAC Championship sophomore year at 152 pounds and won the WCAC championship his freshman year at 135 pounds.

Carpenter placed third at the "NOVA Classic" while Park and Negri placed fifth, and Laird, Lynch and Anderson placed sixth.

"As seniors, we’re trying to show the younger guys how to develop mental toughness so they don’t get pinned when they go out there," said Anderson, a four-year varsity grappler.

At the "Park View Invitational" Negri, Ratley, Park, Lewis, Laird and Carpenter placed first; Kyle Hastings and Lynch placed second and Hayre placed third.

At the "St. Stephens/St. Agnes Invitational" Lynch, Laird and Park placed first; Carpenter placed second, and Negri placed third.

Sandwiched in between the latter two tournaments, the Knights headed west and participated in the "Reno, Nevada Tournament of Champions."

"We definitely finished in the top third/top half. Over 100 teams participated. Steve Ratley placed third overall and by virtue of that qualified for All-American status," said Carpenter.

"It was great being out there in Reno in terms of seeing what national competition is like. On the season, all of the kids have been working hard. They’re having fun. We’re getting better," said the veteran coach.

O’Connell finished third behind DeMatha and Paul VI at the WCAC Championships last season.

On Jan. 17 O’Connell will participate in the Arlington County Championships at Wakefield High School. The Knights will wrestle against Wakefield, Washington-Lee and Yorktown. Paul VI, O’Connell and Ireton will participate in the WCAC Championships Feb. 7 at PVI.