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Writer's pictureLem Satterfield

Groszkowski is a bad@ss

It was back on December 4 that Annapolis assistant Tyler Scarinzi texted a friend to reveal the news regarding his enthusiasm about a sophomore wrestler.


“Keep an eye out for Mikey, our 132-pounder,” said Scarinzi, winner of two Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association titles and one Maryland Private Schools crown in three title match berths. “He took me down today. I’ll give him a takedown, but I’m not going to go to my back. Once I get in a little better shape, I’ll give him the business. But he’s a badass.”

Groszkowski’s breakout was last weekend at top-ranked Gilman’s 12-team Adam Janet Tournament, where his 5-0 record included falls in 22, 31 and 72 seconds.


Also among Groszkowski’s victories was an 11-4 decision over third-ranked Gilman senior Zach Glory as well as a 20-11 major decision over Delaware state champion Tye Bellarin, a junior from Red Lion Christian Academy.


Glory placed third last year in both the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association’s A Conference and the Maryland Private Schools State tournaments, of which Gilman is a returning team champion.





Named Outstanding Wrestler for his performance, Groszkowski paced Annapolis (159 points) to fourth place in an event won by the host Greyhounds (261.5) over runner-up Caesar Rodney (231) of Delaware.


Groszkowski’s record rose to 16-0 with 13 first-period pins and includes winning the December 6-7 Andy Perez at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School, having transferred from fourth-ranked Archbishop Spalding where alternated between their junior varsity and varsity squads.


Groszkowski’s varsity record for the Cavaliers was 12-3 with four pins and a technical fall, including second and fourth-place finishes at the John Kelly and McDonogh invitational tournaments.


As a junior varsity wrestler at Archbishop Spalding, Groszkowski went 8-0 with seven pins and became a private schools’ state champion as a JV grappler.


“Even though I wasn’t a starter [at Archbishop Spalding,] I was given a good opportunity to wrestle under great coaches, especially Donny Reyes,” Groszkowski said.

“[Reyes] has trained me since the beginning of my wrestling career, I was able to compete at the varsity level for two tournaments and a couple of dual meets. I was proud to place fourth at [McDonogh] and second at the John Kelly.”


Groszkowski is a welcome addition to the Panthers’ program, according to coach Tom Sfakiyanudis, a 1992 Annapolis graduate who was a county champion, regional runner-up and a Class 4A-3A state semifinalist.


“Mike and my son, Leo, had become friends working out together,” said Sfakyanudis, whose son is a 138-pound freshman with a record of 15-2 with 11 pins and a runner-up finish at the Andy Perez tournament. “Mike was joining us, more and more, during summer workouts. It’s been great for him as well. Mike became part of our wrestling family and made the decision to come to Annapolis.”


Groszkowski is continuing a family wrestling legacy. His father, Kevin, and his uncles, Sean and Tim, were Baltimore County champions at Franklin High.


Sean was a Class 4A-3A state champion at 135 pounds as a senior in 1995, winning his title match, 10-2, over Blake Zimmet of Churchill.


Tim was a 140-pound Class 4A-3A state runner-up in 1997 following an 11-10 loss to Darren Black of Frederick Douglass.


“My father, Kevin, and my uncles, Sean and Tim all wrestled at Franklin High School. All three were Baltimore County champions,” Groszkowski said. “My father and uncle, Timmy, won regional championships. Uncle Sean was a state champion. My father wrestled at Harvard until his career ended by injury. Uncle Sean wrestled at Franklin and Marshall.”


Sfakyanudis believes Groszkowski has the DNA to become as successful as his familial predecessors.


“It became evident very quickly that Mike is a great kid and a special wrestler,” Sfakyanudis said. “Mike’s level of wrestling is uplifting to all of the other kids in the room.”

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