The Bishop Ireton Cardinals, coached by Scott Racek and Don Dight (ninth season each), and assisted Will Behan (sixth season), are having an outstanding season.

"We finished a disappointing 8-12-1 overall last season. This year, I knew that we had some holes to fill, but all of our guys have wrestled well this season," Racek.

Ireton currently weighs in with an overall dual match record of 15-3, including WCAC wins versus St. Mary's Ryken, McNamara, Gonzaga and O'Connell, as well as non-conference wins versus Pallotti, Maret, St. Stephens/St. Agnes, McLean (D.C.), Potomac School, Blue Ridge, Woodberry Forest "B", St. Andrews, Georgetown Day, Hyde School and St. Anselm’s.

"I'm really indebted to Don (Dight). He is at the school every day, whereas I am not. He keeps me in the loop. We work real well together and I consider him a co-head coach," said Racek.

"Will (Behan) is an Ireton grad ('93). He works hard and provides a lot of energy. He is as loyal of a guy as you are ever going to see," said Racek.

On Jan. 29, Ireton hosted McNamara, Gonzaga and O'Connell in a quad match and won all three in convincing fashion. The Cardinals defeated McNamara 51-25 with seniors Mark Wu and Tanaka Mutumbuka leading the way.

Wu (215 pounds), a football standout as well, pinned his opponent in a blazing 12 seconds (very close to a school record); Mutumbuka (275 pounds) pinned his opponent in 3:17.

Coincidentally, Wu wrestled his freshman season, but took his sophomore and junior seasons off.

"I've done better this year than I expected," he said. "It wasn't all that hard getting back into it. All of the hard work that I did in the weight room has paid off."

Versus McNamara, sophomore grappler Tim Dean (152) recorded a 13-7 decision.

Senior Sean Hellmuth (145), junior Ian Barber (160), freshman Michael Kane (103), sophomore Ryan Kerr (112), senior Kwinten Brown (135) and senior Peter Freeman (140) all won via forfeit versus the Mustangs.

Following the McNamara win, Ireton defeated Gonzaga 49-30.

The Cardinals recorded an impressive six pins led by Brown (135) in 58 seconds, Wu (215) in 1:00, Mutumbuka (275) in 1:08, senior Darius Vakili (119) in 1:45, junior Ray DiNunzio (125) in 2:35 and Hellmuth (152) in 2:45.

Also versus Gonzaga, senior Nick Dight (145) recorded an impressive 18-1 "tech fall." Junior Alex Vergara (140) also recorded an impressive 16-1 "tech fall" and Dean (160) recorded a 2-0 decision.

Although Ireton has defeated O'Connell several times in the past decade, it has not happened with great regularity. This year, however, the Cardinals gave the Knights one of their most humbling defeats in recent memory. Ireton knocked off their archrivals 46-26, with four different grapplers recording pins.

The Cardinals were led by Vergara (135) - pin in 49 seconds, Barber (171) – pin in 1:45, Mutumbuka (275) - pin in 2:25 and Brown (130) - pin in 2:39.

(Mutumbuka batted three for three in wins as well as pins versus McNamara, Gonzaga and O'Connell).

In addition, Dight (140) recorded an 11-0 "major decision", DiNunzio (125) recorded a 9-2 decision and Hellmuth (152) recorded a hard fought 4-3 decision versus O'Connell.

Also, Wu (215) and Kane (103) - won via forfeit.

On the season, tri-captains Brown, Dight and Wu have been leading the way for the Cardinals.

"Kwinten has tremendous heart. He works hard and is dedicated. He has a real shot to be both WCAC and V.I.S. (Virginia Independent State) champion this season," said Dight.

"Nick learned to wrestle a real aggressive style in New Jersey – before transferring down here in 2003. He is real physical and real aggressive," said Dight.

"Mark is big, strong and aggressive. He definitely leads by example and is also a quiet leader for this team," said Dight.

Brown, also a standout linebacker on the football team, leads the Cardinals in total wins with an overall record of 24-2, including 20 pins. The senior also placed first at the recent "Ireton Classic."

Dight, nephew of Don Dight, weighs in at 17-2, including 11 pins. The senior also placed first at the recent "Ireton Classic."

Wu, a three-year varsity football player, weighs in at 17-3, including 12 pins. The senior also placed second at the recent "Ireton Classic."

In addition, Tim Dean leads the underclassmen with an overall record of 21-4, including 14 pins. The sophomore also placed first at the recent "Ireton Classic."

"In my nine seasons, I've never seen anyone improve as much as Tim Dean (from below .500 in '03/'04 to 21-4 in '04/'05)" said Racek.

In ushering in the month of February, Ireton will have had a busy week. On Jan. 31 Ireton defeated St. Anselm’s 52-26. On Feb. 1 the Cardinals were scheduled to square off with Edison and South Lakes. On Feb. 2 Ireton will host Paul VI and St. John’s on senior’s night. On Feb. 3, Ireton will visit Good Counsel and on Feb. 4, the Cardinals will travel to Woodberry Forest.

On Feb. 5, Ireton, O'Connell and Paul VI all participate in the prestigious WCAC Championships at St. John’s.

"The WCAC Tournament will be tough. I'm going to try to wrestle as well as I can - hopefully get to the finals and hopefully take home the gold," said Mutumbuka.

"Our goal is to finish second at the WCAC tournament," said Racek. "DeMatha is a prohibitive favorite. Finishing second is realistic considering all of the progress that we have made this season."