The 2001 East Coast Freestyle Club Championships

River Hill HS, MD
June 16, 2001

Action was fast and furious at the 9th Annual East Coast Freestyle Club Championships. Hosted by the Maryland State Wrestling Association, this tournament has traditionally been the final local event of the freestyle season. The historically tough tournament is both an open individual event and a team event. Close to 200 entries competed in all age groups from kids to open, with Madison weight classes used.

This year 189 wrestlers from 8 states and eight teams competed for the right to claim they are the best in the East. Several teams, particularly out of state teams, were larger with members from all over the region. There were also a few mostly local teams with only a dozen or so members entered. The top nine finishers count in the team scoring, with additional placers only used to break ties. Only one team member in a weight class could score team points.

Even with participation from our club low, we had a lot of enthusiasm for the event. SMWC Coaches and fans were well represented. Coaches Jones, Rowe, and Hoffman did an excellent job. Coach G decided to help coach rather then officiate for this last event of the season, and was seen in the corners as well. There were several other parents wearing SMWC shirts, along with several member wrestlers, making SMWC the most visable club in the gym. Orange Crush does have singlets and shirts, but we have singlets, shirts of all types, jackets, and yes, even hats.

Despite numerous members indicating at practice Thursday night they would enter, only 16 members showed on Saturday morning. This was particularly disappointing since conditions outside were terrible with torrential rains and wind all day long. Baseball or other activities were definately cancelled. At least our members who competed were spread in different weight classes giving us more flexibility in the team scoring.

The tournament lasted into the late afternoon with all 16 SMWC members staying in the competition right to the very end. This depth is probably why SMWC continues to win team events despite what others throw at us. We had members in 6 of the last 7 matches of the day.

When the smoke cleared, SMWC had captured 6 first place slots, 5 second place slots, 3 third place slots, and 2 fourths. Not bad at all. However, even with this strong a finish, we managed to win our fourth straight overall East Coast Championships by only one point (87-86) over a very strong Harford team. New Jersey Lightning finished in the third spot with 83 points.

SMWC Champions included Erik Hoffman, Mike Rowe, Hamer Heider, Walt Hoffman, Ryan Herwig, and Kevin Gabrielson. Walt and Mike also took home the OW Awards in the Kids and the Cadet divisions. Walt, Ryan and Kevin all had very tough weight classes and came through with some big wins for our club. We lost a couple of big championship matches to some tremendous wrestlers as well. Ryan Buff and Brent Jones faced a couple of the best in the East.

Since we will be rebuilding, can we repeat next year? Who knows at this point. Two of our reliable big guns, Ryan Herwig and Kevin Gabrielson will be off at school in the fall and there is no telling if they will be back next summer. We only have a few seniors for next year, but we have plenty of top kids in the works. It will depend on who shows.

Member wrestlers pictured from the top at the tournament are Erik Hoffman, Ryan Herwig, Marco Priolo, Kevin Gabrielson, Mike Rowe, and Franco Priolo.

Team Results

Southern Maryland WC 87
Harford Grapplers 86
Jersey Lighting 82
Delaware Wrestling Alliance 74
Olney Mat Club 64
Orchard WC (NJ) 37
Orange Crush 29
Bulldog WC (Bullis) 26