2/8/08--

After a three-game slump, JV wrestling was victorious over the Watkins Mill Wolverines February 2. Sophomores Michael Gold and Benjamin Werfel both pinned their opponents, leading the team to another win.

On January 23, the Bengals were defeated by the Damascus Hornets. “Losing to Damascus was a big disappointment for the team,” says sophomore Sam Evans. Despite the talent displayed in other matches, the JV Bengals endured an upsetting loss against the JV Quince Orchard Cougars January 9.

The young grapplers were unable to pin rival Sherwood December 20. However, the team conquered the B-CC Barons in a skillful December 18 match. After being moved up to varsity for the match against the Warriors, freshman Garrett Krixer was unable to contribute to the JV squad. Competing in his first varsity match, Krixer pinned his opponent in the third period with five seconds to go.

On December 12, the JV Bengals started off their season with an overwhelming 45-3 defeat at the hands of the Whitman Vikings. Says Evans, “It sucks for the team to lose our first match, since it sets the level of intensity for the rest of the season.”

Competing in their first tri meet of the season, the JV Bengals faced off against the Einstein Titans and the Walter Johnson Wildcats, December 8. Blake came out victorious against both teams. Freshmen Rohan Raju and Zakaria Ismail Kronemer contributed to the victory, pinning both of their opponents within the first period.

Krixer says, “It was scary wrestling for the varsity team, but I managed to pull through and come out with a win.” Because of Krixer’s pin, the Blake varsity squad came out with their first defeat ever against the Sherwood Warriors.

Despite the teams’ record, Kronemer says, “Our team has really come together and has improved drastically since the beginning of the season.”

The boys are prepared for tomorrow’s home match against the Wheaton Knights and are getting themselves ready for next Saturday’s junior varsity all county tournament at Gaithersburg. Adds Evans, “Go for the pin to get the win.”