The Paul VI Varsity Wrestling Team, coached by John Welcher, is competing short-handed this season due to limited numbers.

"Despite our shortage of numbers, we've got a very dedicated and hard working group of kids," said Welcher (18th varsity season).

With the wrestling season approximately 40 percent completed, Paul VI weighs in with a 2-3 overall record as well as a number of outstanding performances at three separate tournaments.

The "Black and Gold" defeated Jefferson 58-24 and St. Mary's Ryken 45-30. PVI has dropped matches to O'Connell, Georgetown Prep and to St. Stephens/St. Agnes.

In high school wrestling there are 14 separate weight classes. PVI has forfeited four of the 14 in nearly every match this season due to an insufficient number of wrestlers, which severely jeopardizes the Panther’s prospects of winning the match.

"I'm not bummed out by the shortage of numbers. We tried to get more kids to come out for the team. It just didn't happen for whatever reason," said Welcher.

Leading the team in win percentage is junior heavyweight Dan Matheny (275 pounds) with an 8-0 record. He has missed two of three tournaments, but won the Ireton Holiday Tournament with a third period pin.

"The coaches get the credit for their decision to run us hard and to get us in good condition," said Matheny, who placed fourth in the WCAC tournament as a sophomore at 215 pounds.

Junior Josh Gadell(215 pounds) has a 9-2 record. He placed second in the Woodson tournament and fourth in the Ireton tournament. "I'm most pleased this season with my second period pin versus the St. Stephens/St. Agnes wrestler during our dual match with the Saints," he said. "I kept my focus throughout the entire match."

Sophomore Alex Soltis (189 pounds) has a 15-4 record. He won the Ireton tournament with a first period pin. In addition, the sophomore placed second at the Woodson tournament and sixth at the prestigious "NOVA Classic," which involved nearly 35 teams.

"I was very pleased with my 5-4 decision versus the Georgetown Prep wrestler in our dual match," Soltis said. "He previously pinned a St. Stephens/St. Agnes wrestler that I myself had lost to."

Senior captain Jonathan Kodadek (160 pounds) has a 7-4 record. Kodadek decisioned his DeMatha opponent to place first at the Ireton tournament and also placed fourth at the Woodson Tournament. "I scored an ‘escape’ in the second period vs. DeMatha to win that match. The key was concentration," he said.

"Jonathan is well conditioned and very intelligent," said Welcher.

Senior captain Anthony Soltis (152 pounds) was a standout last season but suffered an injury early in the season and consequently has seen limited action. "I injured my rotator cuff doing a double leg takedown on a wrestler early in the season. I should be ready to go in the near future," he said.

Sophomore Mike Schierer (103 pounds) has an 8-6 record. He placed third in the Ireton Tournament. The sophomore gives high praise to John Welcher and also realizes how demanding the sport of wrestling is. "Coach Welcher encourages us everyday and constantly says even if we practice a move 1000 times in practice it doesn't mean we're going to be perfect at it," he said.

Conrad Andrews - senior captain (140 pounds) - [7-7 record]. Andrews placed second in the Ireton Tournament and placed sixth in the prestigious "NOVA Classic". Last year, the then junior placed second in the WCAC Tournament. Andrews takes his captain responsibilities seriously. "Jonathan (Kodadek), Anthony (Soltis) and myself have to make sure the younger guys know what they're doing. We've got quite a bit of responsibility and to some degree we run practice," said Andrews.

Junior Kevin Welcher (135 pounds), the coach’s son, would like to see more people show up to support the team. "It definitely would have been nice had more people come out for the team. Right now, my goal is to improve with every match and hopefully everyone on the team can improve between now and the end of the season," he said.

Three other wrestlers have seen limited action this season. The future looks promising for sophomore Colin Miller (171 pounds), freshman Davis Hall (152 pounds) and freshman Kyle Martin (119 pounds).

"The kids are all progressing and getting better. It's an enjoyable group to work with," said Coach Welcher.

PVI has finished third in the prestigious WCAC tournament the past three seasons. Future matches include Jan. 18 at DeMatha and a tri-match with Potomac School/Georgetown Day Jan. 19 at Potomac School.