Cody Day Invitational great start for varsity wrestling

Coach Ed Ott

Hargrave Military Academy hosted the 2014 Cody Day Memorial Tournament with seven participating teams. Hargrave finished 4th overall as a team. The event was held on Saturday, December 5, 2014.

2014 Cody Day Memorial TournamentIn spite of many of our first year wrestlers going up against others with more experience, our Cadets made a great show of effort worthy of Tiger pride.

Cadet Kevin Pedersen, right out of the gate, put us on the radar by pinning his first two opponents but ultimately missed his champion status and took 2nd place.

Cadet Justin Covino pinned his first opponent but learned what he needs to work on in practice as he lost his next two matches.

Cadet Layton Decker’s first match was a surprise defeat which seemed to light a fire under him. He wrestled like a maniac all day long as he struggled with turning opponents bigger than he, earning the respect as the takedown master and ultimately earning third in his weight class.

Cadet Paul Joseph was a beehive of activity trading a loss by pin for a win by pin then losing by points in his third match. He is one that we coaches love to have on our team and look forward to watch grow as they gain experience.

Cadet Robert Englander is another golden first year wrestler whose sheer spunk won him his first two matches by pin before his inexperience caught up with him in the championship round earning him a second place finish.

One of our team voted captains, Cadet Chandler O’Connor, took a bye the first round but stood by his teammates supporting them and watching to learn whatever he could. His first real match was humbling as he lost by pin in the first round but found his inspiration to conquer his second opponent and wrestle hard to the finish in his third match. His willingness to learn and put forth his best effort is one of the things that make him easy to coach.

Cadet Angelo Bianchi has only had a couple of weeks practice and may have lost his first two matches, but has had to overcome habits earned in MMA style fighting that don’t work well in wrestling. He will be one to watch as the season progresses.

Cadet Samuel Urszinyi seemed to be having a slow start to the season but when push came to shove, performed phenomenally well pinning his first first two opponents before facing his championship round veteran. Second place is nothing to sniff at for this new wrestler.

Cadet Blake Sibley, another team voted captain, was the man to watch for our team as he manhandled his first opponent before pinning him and conquering a tough, seasoned opponent for the championship. Even after a victory, Sibley was found asking for advice to ensure future vitories.

Cadet Thomas Whitlow‘s first experience as a wrestler was disappointing as he took his lumps from bigger opponents but showed his true worth as he humbly kept his wits about him and sought to learn more and stay with this difficult sport.

Cadets Samuel Tyler and Jim Alston both took a bye in the first round, wrestled for all they were worth to earn a pin for the second round but came up short during the championship round taking on surprisingly aggressive and skilled opponents.

All in all it was a great experience and eye opener for many wrestlers who now have a better sense of what the sport is all about and now have a taste for the winner’s circle. And as a team, regardless of the number of first year wrestlers, we are continuing to support Hargrave’s reputation for skilled athletics and strong moral character.

Additionally, the Cody Day Memorial Tournament had a record number of teams to compete, but an 8th team, Fisburne Military Academy, dropped out for medical reasons. The final standings include:

1st – Tunstall High School
2nd – Cary Academy
3rd – Chatham High School
4th – Hargrave Military Academy
5th – Randolph Macon Academy
6th – Dan River High School
7th – Virginia Epsicopal School

2014 Cody Day Memorial Invitational