Rushin's Plan Is Working Perfectly

Mike Rushin wrestled in 29 matches before January, a grueling undertaking for most but probably a good thing for the 140-pound Lee senior, who needed a little work.

Rushin has torn through his early-season competition, running his record to 30-0 and needing to go the distance in just three of those matches. His goal is to make matters that much harder on opponents later this winter after taking it easy on himself.

After spending the first three years of his career competing year-round, Rushin decided to scale down his offseason workload last year. He attended a number of top-level camps through early July and then, with the exception of the occasional workout, did not wrestle the rest of the summer.

So Rushin entered this season refreshed, refocused and long removed from the exhaustion that he said crept in toward the end of last season, when he finished eighth at the Virginia AAA tournament.

"There was a definitely a lot less pressure, a much lighter atmosphere at the beginning of this season," Rushin said. "Last year, I think I just kind of mentally broke toward the end of the season. I was a little burnt out. I kind of wanted to get out of it. Usually, that feeling comes after the season."

Rushin finished 9-0 at the Cherokee Christmas Duals in Georgia over winter break, a run that included one of his three matches this season that actually went all three rounds -- a 15-3 major decision over last year's runner-up in Georgia's 5A classification.

"I think that tournament, he really stepped it up a notch," Lee Coach Brandon Rushing said. "I think the first four [events] we had, he wrestled really well. But the competition [in Georgia], that's what he needed."

Wine Perfect

To say that Massaponax heavyweight Josh Wine is determined to fill a void this season is an understatement. Less than 30 seconds from a state title last year -- he lost in double overtime in the AAA final -- the senior has opened the season 16-0.

Bound for VMI on wrestling and football scholarships, Wine has made significant strides since his surprising third-place finish at the 2005 state tournament. The key: He no longer simply relies on his superior strength and speed.

"He's not one-dimensional," Massaponax Coach Rob Prebish said. "When he was a sophomore, he had a couple of moves. Now, depending on who he's wrestling, we've got a wide arsenal."

Battlefield Duals Adds

The Battlefield Duals at Hayfield, already regarded as the Washington area's most competitive dual tournament, further bolstered those credentials with the addition of nationally ranked Christiansburg, the five-time defending Virginia AA champion, and Maryland 2A/1A dual meet champion Hammond.

Area entrants include top-ranked Colonial Forge, No. 3 Hayfield, No. 8 Westfield, Robinson, Lake Braddock and Stonewall Jackson. They'll be joined by last year's champion, Upper Perkiomen (Pa.); Connellsville (Pa.); and nine-time defending Virginia AAA champion Great Bridge. The competition starts at 4 p.m. today and resumes at 10 a.m. tomorrow, with the finals pool set for 5:45 p.m.