2008 Woodie Awards
Christopher leads Generals to victories over top two teams in ODAC
Sam Brusca
Issue date: 2/7/07 Section: Sports
The Washington and Lee wrestling team has been steadily improving for the past couple of seasons. Since joining the Centennial conference, the Generals have never really experienced much success; however, this past Saturday's performance may solidify their position as a current and future contender for the conference championships.
Praised as the conferences two top teams, Muhlenberg and Ursinus have dominated wrestling for the past couple of seasons. Muhlenberg placed first at the W and L Invitational earlier this year, and 30th ranked Ursinus had a 27 centennial match win streak and a 12-0 record this season. No one really expected the Generals to beat both these teams, but the blue and white, in a team effort, were able to rise up and go 2-0.
The Muhlenberg match was very exciting, as each team seemed fired up and ready to go. The team scores se-sawed back and forth with key victories from the Generals core of juniors Peter Lawrence, Anthony Boniello, and Jesse Sataloff. Entering the final heavyweight bout, the Generals wrestling team was losing 15-16. With a ton of pressure John Christopher won a close match and defeated Muhlenberg's Heavyweight Joe Tartar to vault the Generals to a team win 18-16.
The Ursinus match was equally as exciting and meant even more to the Washington and Lee wrestling program. Ranked 30th in the nation, Ursinus came into the match 12-0 on the season and with a 27 centennial match wining streak. The Bears started off the match strong wining the first four matches and securing a 15-0 lead. Once again, the experienced General middleweights gave the team momentum. Juniors Peter Lawrence and Anthony Boniello both earned pins in 2:13 and 5:58 respectively. Team co-captain Jesse Sataloff came from behind to beat John McCarthy and ties the match score 15-15. Although the Bears won the next match, Junior Kirk Adamson won an overtime match against Willy Katinowsky to make the score 18-18. The score was tied once again heading into the final heavyweight match. The hero of the day, John Christopher, stepped up again beating Matt Williams and securing a Generals victory 21-18.
These two victories mean a lot to the Generals wrestling program. Since joining the Centennial conference, W&L has never defeated these two teams. For the first time the blue and white finished second in the conference regular season and with a conference record above 500. (5-2). Lastly, the Generals wrestling team has not had a seven victory season in over seven years. Carried by its strong, experienced junior class, the team looks forward to their home match against the Apprentice School Feb. 10th and making a large splash at the Centennial conference championships at Gettysburg.
Praised as the conferences two top teams, Muhlenberg and Ursinus have dominated wrestling for the past couple of seasons. Muhlenberg placed first at the W and L Invitational earlier this year, and 30th ranked Ursinus had a 27 centennial match win streak and a 12-0 record this season. No one really expected the Generals to beat both these teams, but the blue and white, in a team effort, were able to rise up and go 2-0.
The Muhlenberg match was very exciting, as each team seemed fired up and ready to go. The team scores se-sawed back and forth with key victories from the Generals core of juniors Peter Lawrence, Anthony Boniello, and Jesse Sataloff. Entering the final heavyweight bout, the Generals wrestling team was losing 15-16. With a ton of pressure John Christopher won a close match and defeated Muhlenberg's Heavyweight Joe Tartar to vault the Generals to a team win 18-16.
The Ursinus match was equally as exciting and meant even more to the Washington and Lee wrestling program. Ranked 30th in the nation, Ursinus came into the match 12-0 on the season and with a 27 centennial match wining streak. The Bears started off the match strong wining the first four matches and securing a 15-0 lead. Once again, the experienced General middleweights gave the team momentum. Juniors Peter Lawrence and Anthony Boniello both earned pins in 2:13 and 5:58 respectively. Team co-captain Jesse Sataloff came from behind to beat John McCarthy and ties the match score 15-15. Although the Bears won the next match, Junior Kirk Adamson won an overtime match against Willy Katinowsky to make the score 18-18. The score was tied once again heading into the final heavyweight match. The hero of the day, John Christopher, stepped up again beating Matt Williams and securing a Generals victory 21-18.
These two victories mean a lot to the Generals wrestling program. Since joining the Centennial conference, W&L has never defeated these two teams. For the first time the blue and white finished second in the conference regular season and with a conference record above 500. (5-2). Lastly, the Generals wrestling team has not had a seven victory season in over seven years. Carried by its strong, experienced junior class, the team looks forward to their home match against the Apprentice School Feb. 10th and making a large splash at the Centennial conference championships at Gettysburg.
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