The Bishop O'Connell wrestling team, under the tutelage of head coach Bill Carpenter, is young but talented. Carpenter, in his 25th season as "commander in chief" of the wrestling program, is the longest serving head coach in the diocese.

Only O'Connell head softball coach Tommy Orndorff and O'Connell girls soccer coach Alberto Starace are even remotely close in terms of longevity, both with 20 seasons completed.

"We've got a young team this season, but I'm just trying to get the kids to be as good as they can be," said Carpenter.

So far, O'Connell has defeated Episcopal High School in Alexandria 41-36 and Spalding High school in Anne Arundel County, Md., 48-26.

The Knights only have six returning starters from last season (out of 14 weight classes). Thus far, senior Mike Tato (152/160 pounds) weighs-in with an overall record of 2-0, as do juniors Drew Carpenter (135 pounds), John Curtin (145) and Tom Baxter (160/171); and freshmen Nam Dunbar (112), Jonathan Carpenter (119) and Mitch Brown (130).

Other key grapplers include: juniors Tom Corcoran (heavyweight/275 pounds) and Mike DePasquale (215), sophomore Eric Kurtzke (125) and freshmen Jason Fulbrook (140) and Michael Winkler (189).

The Knights have forfeited at least one weight class each match due to a lack of depth.

"This is the first season that I have been able to coach two of my sons (Drew and Jonathan) at the same exact time," said Carpenter.

Carpenter's eldest son, Reed, graduated from O'Connell in 2001 after a standout career and has since graduated from Virginia Tech.

Drew Carpenter, Mike Tato and John Curtin are the Knights tri-captains.

"Drew just keeps going out there. He doesn't get tired. As long as he can keep it close early in the match, he's very strong at the conclusion of the match.

"Mike is a real steady guy. He's easy to communicate with, and he works well with our younger guys," Carpenter said.

"John, most certainly, was our hardest worker during the most recent off season," he said.

Drew Carpenter also ran cross country for head coach Mike Hardy this fall and placed second in both the WCAC and St. Alban’s Tournaments one season ago, as well as eighth at the prestigious National Prep Championships.

"We can do real well this season," Drew said. "We're a tough team. We don't like to give up or lose. We train hard, and we never stop fighting. Cross Country really helps me with my conditioning."

Regarding the season, Tato (the lone senior), said, "we want to finish in the top three or four of the WCAC Tournament. In terms of being a captain, it's my responsibility to give the younger guys encouragement and to keep them focused. I need to stress to all of the guys that if they stay with it, they will get better with time."

The Knights are scheduled to square off with Landon High School in Bethesda, Md., at home (Dec. 6) and will participate in the prestigious "NOVA Classic" at Fairfax High School in Fairfax Dec 9-10.