Wrestlers edged out by Paint Branch for first loss of season

NELSON H. KOBREN MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM-

The Blair wrestling team split its two meets today with one victory over Bethesda Chevy Chase High School with a score of 61-9 and one emotional loss to defending state champion Paint Branch High School with a score of 34-22, putting Blair's season record at 7-1.

The anticipation for the meet against Paint Branch was reflected in the wrestlers' intensity on the mat and exceptional attendance by fellow Blazers. Beginning at the 112-pound weight class, Blair got out to a sturdy 19-5 lead before losses in the 140 and 145-pound weight classes swung the momentum in favor of Paint Branch.

Senior Junior Gossin, in the 160-pound weight class, scored the only Blair team points after the first five matches. No points were scored in the first period and the second period yielded two points for each wrestler. With the score tied, Gossin chose bottom in referee's position to begin the third period and spent the entire period attempting to excape. He nearly succeeded four times but each time the referee called out of bounds and awarded no points for the escape.

Gossin has lost his temper in other meets this year but was able to overcome his frustration. With Blazer cheers and jeers enveloping the gym, the match went into overtime, in which the first take-down wins the match. Gossin's oppenent took a shot and was nearly awarded the two points when Gossin flipped them both over to take control. The referee gave him the decisive take-down to win the match, giving three team points to Blair.

The Blazers led 22-20 with four matches remaining but lost on points in all four matches. This was a major blow to morale after sophomore Austin Madert began the meet with a come-from-behind pin and co-captains Mario Bracamontes, Cuong Vo, and Mike Immerman, the self-titled "three amigos," won their consecutive matches at 125, 130, and 135-pounds, respectively.

In a much emptier gym, the Blazers kept their composure and pinned six of B-CC's ten wrestlers. Benefiting from forfeits in the 135, 152, and 171-pound weight classes, the Blazers only lost two matches the entire meet. Madert was the only Blair wrestler to pin both of his opponents.

Vo also pulled through for the team. Losing 6-4 in the final seconds of his match and not having had control even once, Vo flipped his opponent to his back for two reversal points and two back points to win the match, 8-6.

Blair's next meet is at Wootton on Jan 15 at 7:00 p.m.