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

The Paul VI Panthers are having an excellent season on the wrestling mat. The Panthers, coached by John Welcher, weigh-in with an overall dual match record of 4-3. The "Black and Gold" dropped their first three matches of the season to private school powerhouses O’Connell, St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes and Georgetown Prep all by narrow scores.

Thereafter, the Panthers flexed their muscles and have ripped off consecutive victories vs. St. Mary’s Ryken (68-9), Annandale (40-36), South Lakes (72-12) and Edison (48-29).

"These past four matches have been a real solid effort from top to bottom," said Welcher.

Nineteen wrestlers have seen significant varsity action this season: freshmen Mike Schierer and Max Benson (103 pounds), freshman Kevin Kodadek (112), senior Paul Eiden (119), junior Mike Benedict (125), senior Mike Dowe (130), senior Guidon Grundlehner (135), seniors Kurt Weimer and A.J. Bergmann (140), junior Conrad Andrews (145), junior Anthony Soltis (152), senior Mike Aldonas and junior Jonathan Kodadek (160), senior Pat Healy and freshman Alex Soltis (171), senior Peter Brookes (189), sophomores Dan Matheny and Josh Gadell (215), and senior Doug Gadell (275).

"All of the seniors have been designated as team captains. They’ve all been with me for a long time and they’ve all been working hard," said Welcher.

In terms of wins/losses/pins: Grundlehner (21 wins/two losses/seven pins), Weimer (15/four/nine), Dowe (15/five/11), Brookes (12/six/nine), Anthony Soltis (10/two/five), Aldonas (nine/two/three), Andrews (seven/five/five) and Bergmann (three/two/one). These spearhead the Panthers efforts in 2003-04.

In the "quad" match (Jan. 10) vs. Annandale, South Lakes and Edison, Grundlehner, Weimer, Dowe, Brookes, Anthony Soltis and Eiden won all three of their respective matches versus the Atoms, Seahawks and Eagles.

In addition, Aldonas won two of two, Andrews won two of two, Bergmann won one of one and Jonathan Kodadek won one of one.

In the very prestigious "NOVA Classic" involving 32 teams: Grundlehner placed third overall. "I’ve kind of surprised myself with how well I’ve done thus far this season," said the senior.

In the "Ireton Christmas Classic," Grundlehner, Weimer and Aldonas placed first; Brookes, Andrews, Anthony Soltis and Eiden placed second.

In the "Manassas Park Tournament," Weimer placed first and Grundlehner placed second.

In the "W.T. Woodson Tournament," Grundlehner placed first and Aldonas placed second.

"As a team we’ve shown a lot of improvement lately," said Grundlehner. "A successful season will be placing second at the WCAC championships and finishing in the "top five" at the Virginia Independent Schools Championships," said Welcher.

Last season, PVI finished second behind powerhouse DeMatha at the WCAC championships. On Jan. 17 PVI will travel to Woodberry Forest and compete against the home team as well as against Episcopal, Norfolk Academy and St. Christopher’s.