Wrestler of the Year
JUSTIN BOWSER, Arundel, Jr.
The Wildcats' 125-pounder went 39-1 this season, capping it off with his first state title. Bowser also captured the Anne Arundel County and 4A/3A East Region crowns and is the first Arundel wrestler to place at the state championships three times. At 109-6 over three seasons, Bowser needs just 30 victories next winter to become the all-time winningest wrestler in county public school history.
Coach of the Year
BILLY ROYER, Arundel, Third Season
An intense and vocal coach both in the practice room and during competitions, Royer had his Wildcats prepared when it mattered most this winter. At the 4A/3A regionals, Arundel placed second to Old Mill in the team competition and sent nine wrestlers to states (tied with Old Mill for most in the region). The following week, Arundel placed fourth at states -- tops among county schools -- and five of the nine placed.
First Team
103: GREG SAUMENIG, Old Mill, Soph.: The Anne Arundel County and 4A-3A East region champ, Saumenig placed second at states by the slimmest of margins: a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sherwood's Andy Lowy.
112: CHRIS LAIDLEY, Spalding, Jr.: Laidley placed third at the Maryland Independent Athletic Association championships, then a week later won a state title at the Maryland Private Schools championships. He also competed at National Preps in Allentown, Pa.
112: ADAM PALUMBO, Annapolis Area Christian, Soph.: He went 35-4 this season, winning titles at the Catholic and South River tournaments. Placed second at MIAA championships and third at Maryland Private Schools championships. Also competed at National Preps.
119: ANDREW MULRY, South River, Sr.: After placing second at states last winter, Mulry dominated the postseason at 119, winning titles at the county, regional and 4A-3A state championships. He finished 34-1 this season and 120-17 over his four-year career.
119: LOU RULAND, St. Mary's, Jr.: He took second place at the MIAA and Maryland Private Schools championships (Maurice Fleming of Gilman was his nemesis both times in the finals) and finished 40-2 this winter. Placed third at National Preps.
130: MIKE VAKAS, Broadneck, Jr.: Vakas won the Anne Arundel County title, then followed it up with a 4A-3A East Region crown. He was pinned in the final seconds of his second-round match at states. Finished 31-5.
135: SHANE FRASER, Chesapeake, Sr.: The Anne Arundel County champion took second at regionals and nearly defeated eventual state champion Cam Watkins (Magruder) in the state semifinals, losing in overtime. Fraser took third and was 31-5.
140: NIC BOX, Old Mill, Sr.: After losing to Matt Willis (Chesapeake) in the county semifinals, Box got revenge at regionals, defeating Willis in overtime to win the title. He took seventh at states and was 38-10 this season.
145: TOM MASSIE, Severna Park, Jr.: After finishing second to South River's Andrew Myers at counties and regionals, Massie pinned his rival at states en route to a fourth-place finish. Was 27-9 this season.
145: ANDREW MYERS, South River, Sr. : After failing to qualify for states the past two years, Myers made it this winter and finished fifth. Earlier, he won the title at the county and 4A/3A East Region meets. Finished 33-6.
