Since a season-opening loss to Walt Whitman High School, the Poolesville wrestling team has won six consecutive dual matches.

Despite defeating Clarksburg and Bethesda-Chevy Chase during the streak, the Falcons (6-1 as of Sunday) are still in search of a signature victory to validate their record.

On Saturday, they will get a chance when they host 5-2 Class 4A/3A West Region dual meet contender Walter Johnson and Richard Montgomery. The Falcons are vying for one of the four spots in the 2A/1A South Regional.

“We've kind of been flying under the radar and that is a good thing,” Falcons 160-pounder Robert Winning said after winning his weight class Saturday at Grapple at the 'Brook. “But it would be nice to get a victory over a good team, and WJ will be a good test.”

Winning, a senior, has compiled a 23-1 mark this winter.

“The name is a lot to live up to,” Winning said with a grin. “The guys give me a hard time about it sometimes. One of my goals this year was to go undefeated, but I obviously can't do that anymore since I slipped up in the Damascus Tournament.”

Springbrook takes second: Host Springbrook placed second Saturday at the 14th annual Grapple at the 'Brook tournament despite not having coach Rob Wendel, who was tending to a family emergency, according to assistant coaches. Regular 182-pounder Eddie Hernandez also was out, because of a knee injury.

First-place finishers Kevin Cristobal and John Holland paced the Blue Devils at 106 and 195 pounds, respectively. J.P Nguyen (126) and Aaron Perez (170) each finished second.

“It's pretty cool to say you won your weight class at your own tournament on your home mat,” said Cristobal, whose team has never won the tournament as hosts. “I mean, we all are having a great year.”

Cape Henlopen (Del.) won the overall team title with five weight class winners and six other grapplers placing in the top six. Reservoir (159 points, Howard County), Springbrook (170), Fallston (153.5, Harford) and Paint Branch, who had no individuals reach the championship finals, rounded out the top five.

Other individual county winners include Will Korzeniewski (Poolesville, 126) and Brad Taylor (170, Whitman).

Takedowns: Walt Whitman senior Josh Daryoush is following in his older brother's footsteps and has emerged as the county's clear-cut public school favorite at heavyweight. His sibling, Ned, also wrestled at 285 pounds for the Vikings and was a state qualifier before graduating last year.

The younger Daryoush (16-1) suffered his first loss of the season Saturday to Cape Henlopen's Thomas Ott, 5-2.

“I like knowing the Daryoush name is kind of a heavyweight institution for the past few years at Whitman,” Josh said. “I've been having a good season, but it wasn't fun losing today.”

Josh is exploring his options to play football in college.

kzakour@gazette.net