Wrestling: Brett Stein finds his form at Forest Park; Damascus builds through youth

Five of those second-year wrestlers saw extensive action last year when the team went 14-0 in the regular season, which Furgeson credited as a byproduct of an improving feeder system.

Wrestlers who got their start in the sport representing the Damascus Sports Association helped form the foundation of the program’s success under former coach Dave Hopkins, a member of the Maryland Wrestling Hall of Fame. From 1994 to 1999, the Hornets captured three state tournament titles and two state dual meet crowns.

After several lean years, both the high school and youth programs are once again among Montgomery County’s best. Furgeson, who took over for Hopkins in 2008, has three children between the ages of 7 and 12 in the feeder system, providing him further hope that both will only get stronger.

“I’ve got some really talented freshmen that can’t even crack the lineup,” Furgeson said. “A couple years ago, we would have needed them to be full-time starters. Now we have a lot of guys in the room that are working with other high-quality guys every day and making each other better.”

The lineup may be heavy on youth, but three of the seniors, George Vinson (15-3), Caleb Baisden (17-3) and Andrew Nickell (16-3), were starters on the Damascus football team that went unbeaten during the regular season in the fall. The Hornets, who have already won the Oakdale’s Bear Cave Brawl and their own holiday tournament this season, will participate in the Catoctin Duals this weekend.

Falcons stay on top

Good Counsel retained the top spot in The Post’s team rankings this week after a 40-24 dual meet win over No. 2 Spalding on Friday in Olney.

The Falcons dominated the lower weights and overcame a comeback by the middle of the Spalding lineup with a strong finish.

Junior Adam Whitesell (106 pounds) opened the match with a pin in 56 seconds, and Good Counsel won the next four matches by decision to build an 18-0 lead.

Spalding middleweights Jimmy Malone (145 pounds), Cole Graves (152) and Logan Breitenbach (160) all won their matches with pins to give Spalding a 21-18 lead before Good Counsel took points in four of the last five weight classes to seal the win.

Elsewhere this week, No. 3 Westfield earned a 34-29 dual win over archrival No. 4 Robinson during a tri-meet with Centreville at Robinson on Jan. 9.

Westfield wrestlers Derek Arnold (138 pounds), Stephen Aiello (160) and Tyler Morson (182) all beat Robinson wrestlers who had been ranked in The Post’s individual rankings to help the Bulldogs to the win.

Related: Individual, team rankings