McDonogh 152-pounder Bryn Holmes and Mount St. Joseph 160-pounder Mack Lewnes were impressive in Saturday's National Preps tournament at Lehigh University, winning titles in the event for the second time in their careers.
Holmes, who pinned his way to last year's crown, this year had three pins, a 6-0 semifinal victory and a 15-4 rout of Blair Academy of New Jersey's Eric Medina in the title bout en route to earning Outstanding Wrestler honors in the event for the second straight season.
A three-time champion in both the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association and private schools state tournaments, Holmes scored nine near-fall points in the second period against Medina, who ranks No. 1 nationally in their class.
"I start hitting my stride at the end of the season and I hold nothing back," Holmes said. "I felt the emotion of friends, family and fellow Maryland wrestlers."
Holmes ends the year with a record of 46-2 and 31 pins, raising his career totals to a 162-19 record and 114 pins. Earlier this year, Holmes lost twice in one day to two-time Delaware state champion Andrew Bradley, whom he later defeated.
An All-Metro player in football and lacrosse, Holmes will play lacrosse at Maryland.
"I'm definitely going to miss wrestling, the one sport where you have a true common bond and a community atmosphere," Holmes said. "You have to respect anyone brave enough to step out on the mat."
Ranked No. 1 nationally, Lewnes scored an 8-2 title-bout victory over Chris Heinrich of Philadelphia's Germantown Academy. A four-time private schools and MIAA champion, Lewnes reached the finals on a technical fall and three pins, including a 59-second fall against McDonogh's MIAA and private schools state runner-up Alex Pagnotta.
Lewnes, The Sun's All-Metro Wrestler of the Year in 2003-2004 when he was first in the National Preps as a sophomore, has also placed second and third at the tournament. He is 50-1 on the year and 149-12 for his career.
"After his finals, Mack found me and congratulated me," Holmes said. "It was special standing next to Mack in the picture of champions."
Finishing second in the event were McDonogh's Josh Fitch (112); Archbishop Curley's Mitch Fenton (125); and Mount St. Joseph's Jake Bohn (189). Mount St. Joseph's Jon Kohler (135) was third for the second straight year, and McDonogh's Joe Breen (140) was fourth for the second straight year. Also fourth were McDonogh's Kramer Whitelaw (145); Annapolis Area Christian's Pat McMahon (130); and Boys' Latin's Grady Gamble (160).
lem.satterfield@baltsun.com
