Mount St. Joseph’s top-ranked Corey Brown won a clash of nationally-ranked freshman, 4-2, over Sean Kenny of Christian Brothers’ Academy, N.J., for the 106-pound title in last weekend’s East Coast Catholic Classic at Benedictine Prep High School in Richmond, Va.
“Securing a win in the finals against Sean Kenny felt great. I was well aware that this would not be a simple win,” said Brown, who gained a measure of revenge against Kenny. “I had previously been defeated by Sean Kenny in the US. Open semifinals within the last few seconds of the match.”
Named Outstanding Wrestler for the tournament, Brown ran his record on the year to 16-1 with eight pins, having reached finals after a 62-second fall and a 6-0 semifinal victory over sophomore Royce Wetzler of Benedictine Prep. Wetzler finished third at the ECCC, where the Gaels (150 points) finished fourth overall behind tournament champion Malvern Prep, Pa. (320 points).
“I look forward to these tough matches,” Brown said. “Being recognized as the outstanding wrestler was an honor that left me feeling proud.”
The triumph was Brown’s second over Wetzler, whom he previously vanquished by a score of 3-1 on the way to placing third at the December 21-22 Beast Of The East Tournament. Wetzler finished eighth at Beast Of The East, where Loyola’s second-ranked freshman Tyler Verceles placed fifth.
The Gaels were dethroned by top-ranked Gilman last year as Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association dual meet and tournament champions as well as the Maryland Private Schools State titlists. The Gaels face the Greyhounds in a dual meet rematch on Wednesday.
“This season has been a great start for me as a freshman at MSJ. I am thoroughly enjoying high school wrestling and the opportunities it presents,” Brown said. “As things are about to gear up, I'm looking forward to every match. I have many goals for the remainder of the season. I am focused on training hard and winning my first high school states and National Preps titles.”
Brown led eight Gaels’ wrestlers who finished within the top six of their weight classes at the ECCC. Finishing second for the Gaels were third-ranked junior Jake Tamai (126) and second-ranked freshman Brooklyn Pickett (144), with a third-place effort from fifth-ranked sophomore Tyler Stephens (138).
Second-ranked senior Cameron Cannaday (157) and freshman James Wright (120) were fourth for the Gaels, 11th-ranked sophomore Ben Scheiner (132) was fifth, and sophomore Conner Allison (138) finished sixth.
Brown is ranked 21st nationally behind the 12th-ranked Kenny and ahead of the 27th-ranked Verceles and the 30th-ranked Wetzler.
“Corey is a rare talent that continues to improve every week,” Gaels’ coach Harry Barnabae said. “He is a great teammate and motivator for those around him.”
Brown went 7-1 with two pins and a major decision at The Beast Of The East Tournament, where he scored falls in 67 and 96 seconds and out-scored his opponents by a combined 23-1, with four shutouts during his victories.
At The Beast Of The East, Brown scored consecutive falls before defeating Wetzler, 3-1, and losing his quarterfinal bout, 5-4, to 17th-ranked freshman Nico Emili of Bethlehem Catholic (PA). Emili won his semifinal match, 14-2, over Verceles to reach the Beast Of The East finals, where he lost his title match.
Brown won four consecutive consolation bouts by shutout on the way to a third-place finish at The Beast Of The East, comprising scores of 4-0, 1-0, 11-0, and 4-0. Brown’s 1-0 decision was against 11th-ranked freshman Jo Jo Burke of St. Joe’s Regional in New Jersey.
“If Corey continues to improve, then the sky's the limit,” Barnabe said. “He has the highest level of confidence and embraces the challenge of wrestling tough opponents.”
The 12th-ranked Panthers of St. Frances were fifth overall behind third-place efforts from sixth-ranked senior Braxton McAvey (150) and fourth-ranked senior Elijah Josey (190), a duo who was among their six wrestlers finishing within the top five of their weight classes.
Placing fourth for the Panthers were eighth-ranked senior Douglas Johnson (215) and freshman Evan Smith-Matlock (285), with fifth-place showings from freshman 15th-ranked freshman Zebulon Bolden (106), sixth-ranked junior Joseph Cooper (126) and ninth-ranked senior Chase Carpintieri (157).
Top-ranked senior Evan Boblits (150) led 10th-ranked St. Mary’s Ryken to eighth place, improving his record to 23-1. Boblits used falls in 53 and 59 seconds along with a 15-0 technical fall to reach his championship bout with Malvern Prep sophomore Raymond Fitzgerald, whom he edged, 4-2.
The Knights also received a third-place finish from 21st-ranked junior Evan Gavin (215), with fourth-place efforts from sophomore 11th-ranked sophomore Becket Geary (113) and 17th-ranked sophomore Henry Moltumyr (132).
DeMatha had sixth-place finishers in senior William Martin (165) and junior Michael Lebbie (285), while The Heights School of Maryland received a sixth-place effort from junior Peter Baird (175).
Among the other local placewinners were Gonzaga junior Bojan Sulc (175) and his senior teammate. Karim Haitham (165). Sulc was a runner-up who is top-ranked in Legacy Wrestling’s D.C. ratings, and Haitham was a fifth-place finisher who is second-ranked.
Corey Brown’s Accomplishments At A Glance
Tournament placements
1. 1st East Coast Catholic Classic
2. 1st Penn Manor Holiday, PA
3. 3rd Beast of the East.
Victories over ranked wrestlers
1-0 decision over No. 11-JoJo Burke (St. Joe Regional, NJ) FR
4-2 decision over No. 12-Sean Kenny (Christian Brothers Academy, NJ) FR
3-1 decision over No. 30 Royce Wetzler
6-0 decision over No. 30 Royce Wetzler
Loss to ranked wrestler
5-4 decision to No. 17-Nico Emili (Bethlehem Catholic, PA) FR
SB Live National SI Rankings
106
1-Samuel Sanchez (Esperanza, CA) FR
2-Anthony Garza (Clovis, CA) SO
3-Chase Karenbauer (Grove City, PA) FR
4-Justin Farnsworth (Malvern Prep, PA) SO
5-Jarreau Walker (Streetsboro, OH) SO
6-Loc Webber (Dublin Coffman, OH) FR
7-Turner Ross (Edmond North, OK) SO
8-Nathaniel Granado (Merced, CA) SR
9-Jorge Rios (St. John Bosco, CA) FR
10-Traevon Ducking (Brownsburg, IN) FR
11-JoJo Burke (St. Joe Regional, NJ) FR
12-Sean Kenny (Christian Brothers Academy, NJ) FR
13-Keegan Bassett (Bishop McCort, PA) FR
14-Wyatt Stauffer (Wyoming Seminary, PA) FR
15-PJ Terranova (Delbarton, NJ) SO
16-Cade Collins (Southern Regional, NJ) FR
17-Nico Emili (Bethlehem Catholic, PA) FR
18-Braiden Lotier (Bishop McDevitt, PA) SO
19-Tommy Gretz (Connellsville, PA) FR
20-Ariah Mills (Athens Christian, GA) 8 th
21-Corey Brown (Mt. St. Joseph, MD) FR
22-Lazarus McEwen (Capital, WA) FR
23-William Soto (Newburgh, NY) SO
24-Connor Sheridan (Hauppauge, NY) SR
25-Lazaro Soto (Southwest Miami, FL)
26-Max Berman (Germantown Academy, PA) FR
27-Tyler Verceles (Loyola Blakefield, MD) FR
28-Edward George (Blair Academy, NJ) FR
29-Analu Woode (Nanakuli, HI) FR
30-Royce Wetzler (Benedictine Prep, VA) SO
1 Malvern Prep, PA (320.5)
2 Don Bosco, NJ (236.5)
3 Christian Brothers Academy(NJ) (231.5)
4 Mount Saint Joseph, MD (150)
5 St. Frances Academy, MD (148.5)
6 Delbarton, NJ (135.5)
7 Benedictine College Prep, VA (125.5)
8 St. Mary`s Ryken, MD (120.5)
9 St Mark`s, DE (107)
10 Gonzaga, DC (78)
11 Notre Dame - West Haven, CT (65.5)
12 John Paul The Great, VA (53)
13 The Heights School, MD (43.5)
14 Dematha Catholic, MD (40.)
15 St. John`s College, DC (39.5)
16 Catholic High School, VA (25.5)
17 Roanoke Catholic, VA (16.5)
18 Bishop Ireton, VA (0)
106
1st Place Match
Corey Brown (Mount Saint Joseph) 16-1, Fr. over Sean Kenny (Christian Brothers Academy(NJ)) 14-3, Fr. (Dec 4-2)
3rd Place Match
Royce Wetzler (Benedictine College Prep) 4-1, So. over Will Webb (Don Bosco) 14-8, Fr. (MD 12-1)
5th Place Match
Zebulon Bolden (St. Frances Academy) 17-8, Fr. over Kellen Duffy (Christian Brothers Academy(NJ)) 7-11, So. (MD 12-2)
113
1st Place Match
Cameron Sontz (Delbarton) 37-3, So. over Lucas McFarland (Malvern Prep) 3-1, Fr. (Dec 9-3)
3rd Place Match
Rocco Lombardo (Malvern Prep) 4-1, 8th. over Becket Geary (St. Mary`s Ryken) 24-14, So. (Fall 0:48)
5th Place Match
Ayden Clancy (Don Bosco) 6-5, Fr. over Cassen Correggio (Don Bosco) 7-7, Fr. (Dec 3-1)
120
1st Place Match
Paul Kenny (Christian Brothers Academy(NJ)) 14-1, So. over Lukas Littleton Mascaro (Malvern Prep) 3-1, Jr. (Dec 7-0)
3rd Place Match
Clif Bakhsh (St Mark`s) 19-5, Jr. over James Wright (Mount Saint Joseph) 18-5, Jr. (MD 12-3)
5th Place Match
Henry Jones (Benedictine College Prep) 4-2, Fr. over Rocco Graffeo (Don Bosco) 9-9, Fr. (Fall 1:53)
126
1st Place Match
Matthew O`Neill (Malvern Prep) 4-0, Fr. over Jake Tamai (Mount Saint Joseph) 19-3, Jr. (MD 10-1)
3rd Place Match
Andrew Bonita (Don Bosco) 12-7, So. over Teag Saito (Christian Brothers Academy(NJ)) 11-5, So. (Fall 3:01)
5th Place Match
joseph cooper (St. Frances Academy) 14-4, Jr. over Jacob Paulter (Don Bosco) 8-10, Jr. (MD 14-3)
132
1st Place Match
Tyler Conroy (Malvern Prep) 4-0, Jr. over Robert Duffy (Christian Brothers Academy(NJ)) 9-6, Jr. (Dec 4-1)
3rd Place Match
Brian Little (Don Bosco) 4-1, So. over Henry Moltumyr (St. Mary`s Ryken) 18-10, So. (TF-1.5 4:25 (22-7))
5th Place Match
Ben Schneiner (Mount Saint Joseph) 15-7, So. over Ryan DeGeorge (Delbarton) 36-9, So. (For.)
138
1st Place Match
Jason Torres (Malvern Prep) 4-0, Sr. over Randall Jenks (Christian Brothers Academy(NJ)) 6-3, Jr. (TF-1.5 2:31 (17-1))
3rd Place Match
Tyler Stephens (Mount Saint Joseph) 19-5, So. over Jameson Burns (Benedictine College Prep) 3-2, So. (Dec 10-6)
5th Place Match
Jacob Inserra (Don Bosco) 5-2, Fr. over Connor Allison (Mount Saint Joseph) 19-8, So. (Dec 1-0)
144
1st Place Match
Declan O`Byrne (Malvern Prep) 5-0, So. over Brooklyn Pickett (Mount Saint Joseph) 15-4, Fr. (Dec 4-2)
3rd Place Match
William Sakoutis (Christian Brothers Academy(NJ)) 13-5, Jr. over Nate Foldes (Benedictine College Prep) 4-2, So. (Dec 7-1)
5th Place Match
Jayden Sanchez (Don Bosco) 10-9, Sr. over Sullivan Hawkes (Christian Brothers Academy(NJ)) 5-3, So. (Dec 7-1)
150
1st Place Match
Evan Boblits (St. Mary`s Ryken) 23-1, Sr. over Raymond Fitzgerald (Malvern Prep) 3-1, So. (Dec 4-2)
3rd Place Match
braxton mcavey (St. Frances Academy) 21-4, Sr. over Tyler Ciarleglio (Notre Dame - West Haven) 19-4, Sr. (SV-1 15-12)
5th Place Match
Alec Baxley (St Mark`s) 10-9, Sr. over James Jakub (Christian Brothers Academy(NJ)) 9-8, Jr. (For.)
157
1st Place Match
Joey Monticello (Don Bosco) 4-0, So. over Trevor Jones (Delbarton) 48-22, Jr. (Dec 5-4)
3rd Place Match
Stephen Smith (Malvern Prep) 4-1, So. over Cameron Cannaday (Mount Saint Joseph) 10-7, Sr. (Dec 4-3)
5th Place Match
Chase Carpinteri (St. Frances Academy) 13-5, Sr. over Liam Kilner (The Heights School) 14-7, Jr. (Dec 10-4)
165
1st Place Match
AJ Falcone (Christian Brothers Academy(NJ)) 13-3, Sr. over Chase Hetrick (Malvern Prep) 3-1, Fr. (Dec 7-5)
3rd Place Match
Santino Rodriguez (Don Bosco) 18-4, Jr. over Jacob Ebaugh (St Mark`s) 15-6, Sr. (TF-1.5 1:54 (17-2))
5th Place Match
Karim Haitham (Gonzaga) 18-9, Sr. over William Martin (Dematha Catholic) 15-9, Sr. (Inj. 1:22)
175
1st Place Match
Duncan Christensen (Malvern Prep) 4-0, Sr. over Bojan Sulc (Gonzaga) 21-3, Jr. (TF-1.5 5:01 (19-3))
3rd Place Match
Brody Ismael (Delbarton) 5-2, . over Jesse DeNegri (Delbarton) 7-4, So. (For.)
5th Place Match
Finn Hanna (St Mark`s) 16-9, Sr. over Peter Baird (The Heights School) 10-6, Jr. (Fall 2:39)
190
1st Place Match
Lane Foard (Benedictine College Prep) 4-0, Sr. over Nevin Mattessich (Don Bosco) 14-3, Jr. (TF-1.5 5:35 (21-5))
3rd Place Match
Elijah Josey (St. Frances Academy) 22-5, Sr. over Matthew Connolly (Malvern Prep) 2-2, Jr. (MD 10-2)
5th Place Match
Elbrus Majagah (Delbarton) 23-10, Sr. over Jarred ONeill (Christian Brothers Academy(NJ)) 10-8, Jr. (TF-1.5 3:25 (19-3))
215
1st Place Match
Dante DeLuca (Don Bosco) 10-0, Jr. over Stosh Zalota (Malvern Prep) 2-1, Sr. (Dec 6-3)
3rd Place Match
Evan gavin (St. Mary`s Ryken) 25-10, Jr. over Douglas Johnson (St. Frances Academy) 18-8, Sr. (UTB 3-2)
5th Place Match
Joey Santoro (St Mark`s) 7-6, Jr. over Alexander Caiafa (Christian Brothers Academy(NJ)) 3-11, So. (Dec 3-2)
285
1st Place Match
Killian McNulty (John Paul The Great) 6-0, Sr. over Mark Feldman (Malvern Prep) 3-1, So. (SV-1 8-5)
3rd Place Match
Jacob Howland (Christian Brothers Academy(NJ)) 3-1, Sr. over evan smith-Matlock (St. Frances Academy) 15-9, Fr. (Fall 1:46)
5th Place Match
Tyler Puleo (Don Bosco) 8-9, So. over Michael Lebbie (Dematha Catholic) 12-11, Jr. (Dec 10-7)
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