2003 All-County Wrestling Team: County wrestlers cap off banner year

The Northwestern senior capped off his campaign with a 38-second decking of Broadneck junior Tyler Moyer in the 4A⁄3A 215-pound state championship bout March 8 in Westminster. Moyer handed Nkang his lone loss of the season on Jan. 17, as the Wildcat was making his return to mat action after undergoing successful surgery on his left knee. He initially suffered the injury early last football season, but played through the pain wearing a brace until he eventually had to have cartilage reattached and bone chips removed.

That loss provided extra motivation upon his return, as he went on to win Northwestern’s first state championship since 1979 and the first for a county public school wrestler since Oxon Hill’s Adrian Belcarris in 2000.

Nkang won his county title match in 19seconds, the region final in 27 seconds and the state title bout in 38 seconds. His selection as Star⁄Gazette All-County Wrestler of the Year is his second such honor in as many seasons. He sported a record of 60-2 over that span.

Coach of the Year: Jeff Allen

After the Bowie wrestling team suffered through a disappointing run last season,Jeff Allen took over the head coaching duties, and the program prospered once again, as it improved its win mark by several matches this winter.

Allen had served as an assistant coach last year. At the Bowie Tournament in early December, the Bulldogs were still wondering how they could get kids to come out for the team, competing with only 14 on the roster, most of whom had never wrestled before.

But Allen’s every day presence in the school helped elevate interest in the program, and soon thereafter he had nearly a full lineup with which to work. A new attitude and enthusiasm surrounded the program, and the Bulldogs were consistently among the top finishers at the tournaments they went to this season.

Bowie placed fifth at the county tournament, and was the highest-placing county squad at the 4A⁄3A South Regionals. The Bulldogs sent three wrestlers to the state tournament, more than any other county 4A team.

Allen’s squad had only three seniors and three juniors, so much of the team will continue to learn from him heading into next season and beyond. The Bulldogs’ upset of Oxon Hill on Jan. 22 cost the Clippers a chance of winning the county 4A league title outright, a crown they wound up sharing with Roosevelt.

First Team

Freddie Velez, Oxon Hill (103) — In just his second varsity season, the senior won his first county tournament (with three pins) and reached the finals of the 4A⁄3A South Regional, where he dropped a tough 4-2 decision to a then-undefeated Lucas Black of Chopticon. Velez closed the season with a 27-6 record.

Mike Rowe, DeMatha (112) — One of four returning Star⁄Gazette first-team members, the sophomore continued to be nothing short of spectacular. He capped off a 58-2 campaign (38 victories on falls) by defending his National Prep crown last month. Rowe also was champion at the Independent States, WCAC, Maryland Catholic, Herndon (Va.), St. Albans (D.C.) and Hammond tournaments, while being named Most Outstanding Wrestler at both Herndon and Colonial Forge (Va.).

Bryan Sanders, DeMatha (119) — Champion at the Independent States as part of a 45-win junior campaign, Sanders is among the many DeMatha wrestlers who helped keep the team among the elite in the state. He placed in the top five at the National Preps, was runner-up at West Virginia, and placed third at both St. Albans and Arundel.

Cam Watkins, DeMatha (125) — A first-teamer last season at 112, this sophomore had little trouble moving up two weight classes as he went 49-8. He was a finalist at the National Preps and Independent States, and also took top honors at the Maryland Catholic and West Virginia Tournaments.

Allan Johnson, Surrattsville (130) — Hornets coach Robert Haigler predicted at the start of the season that Johnson could be a state-caliber wrestler. Johnson proved his coach correct as he went 27-6 in his junior season with a county championship (won in 34 seconds in the final), a 2A⁄1A South Region consolation championship and a win in the opening round of the state tournament.

Rudy Rueda, DeMatha (135) — Another returning first-team selection, Rueda joined Rowe in defending his National Prep championship. The junior is now a three-time winner of the prestigious event. Few wrestlers have won four National Prep titles. Rueda (42-1) won titles at the Independent States and St. Albans Tournaments among others, as well as taking the WCAC crown for the third consecutive season.

Erik Fawcett, DeMatha (140) — One of seven Stags who won WCAC titles this season, the senior won 38 matches. He was runner-up at Arundel, third at both the Independent States and Herndon, and fourth at St. Albans and the Maryland Catholic Tournament.

Chris Lee, Northwestern (145) — While he struggled in the 4A⁄3A South Region Tournament, the senior rebounded to win the county title in his final career match of a 26-win season. He was runner-up last season at 140. Among his other highlights this season was winning the Parkside Tournament.

Floyd Williams, Laurel (152) — Dominant this season, Williams pinned his way through the county tournament, needing less a minute each to win both his final and semifinal matches. He placed third last winter as a junior. He improved one position to third at the 4A⁄3A South Regional, which got him into the state tournament. The Spartan was 23-4 this season, a huge leap from his 20-13 mark last year.

Tommy Priestley, Northwestern (160) — When the senior rallied from far behind to win the 4A⁄3A South Region championship, it marked the first time he had won any tournament in his career. Three days later, he followed with the county title, then won a match at the state tournament to end the week. Earlier this season, Priestley (25-3) underwent treatment for a benign lymph node condition and returned to action at the top of his game.

Stephen Stoddard, DuVal (171) — Though he came up one win shy of becoming his school’s first state champion in 13 years, the senior went 28-4 and won his first 2A⁄1A South Region title. In the state final, he battled his way back from a 7-1 deficit in the first period of an 11-9 setback. All six of his regional and state victories were one-sided. He earned the first-team nod in one of the county’s most competitive weight classes.

Gary Stewart, DeMatha (189) — At 52-3 this junior season, Stewart was only third best in win percentage amongst his teammates behind both Rueda and Rowe. Stewart had a career campaign. Fourth at the National Preps, he was champion at the Independent States, Maryland Catholic, Herndon, Arundel, Hammond, WCAC and St. Albans Tournaments, and also won the gold at the Gilman Duals.

Zak Adomanis, Bowie (275) — In his first full varsity season, the sophomore breezed through the county tournament, winning his final two matches in under a minute each. He also was a 4A⁄3A South Region runner-up and qualified for the states. He closed his campaign with a 27-7 mark.

Second Team

103: Chris Willig, Bowie; 112: Desmond Thomas, Suitland; Chris Lhotsky, Laurel; 125: Daniel Shilling, Oxon Hill; 130: Chris McRae, Roosevelt; 135: Alfred Ngauja, Bladensburg; 140: Shawn Keim, Laurel; Martel Lucas, Oxon Hill; 145: Earl Lee, Oxon Hill; 152: Mory Keita, Bladensburg; 160: Rich Ousley, DeMatha; 171: Mike McFadden, Bowie; Tim Jennings, Pallotti; 189: Marcus Shephard, Parkdale; 215: Kenny Jefferson, DeMatha; 275: Lemuel Lucket, Surrattsville; Bijan Patala, DeMatha.