MSJ still leads the way but new challengers emerge in MIAA Wrestling

by Billy Buckheit

The MIAA A Conference has witnessed a shift in wrestling, in recent seasons, with traditional power McDonogh taking a step back and others, such as Gilman and Calvert Hall, having success. Throw the new St. Frances Academy program in the mix and the top of the A conference looks a bit different than it has in the past.

The one thing that has been consistent, except for a few lean years before Harry Barnabae arrived, is Mount St. Joseph. After capturing a fifth straight state title last year, the Gaels appear to be the favorites for another MIAA Dual and Tournament crown this year.

The 2023-24 Gaels have lost some firepower, but that room has made studs out of average wrestlers time and time again. So, just because some are unknown right now, that doesn’t mean it will remain the case.

The returning MIAA and state placers for St. Joe are Joseph Cooper (113, 2nd MIAA, 5th state), Jake Tamai (120, state champ who missed MIAA tournament), Bryan Santangelo (126, 4th at states), who transferred from Bullis this year, MIAA and state champion Carter Nogle (138), Jaden Diggs (144, 3rd and 5th), Cameron Cannaday (150, 1st and 3rd), Will Hudson (157, who did not crack the lineup last year but was 2nd in the MIAA and 6th at states as a freshman), Nicholas Barnabae (165, state champ who missed the MIAA tournament), and Austin Lewis (190, MIAA and state champion).

Upstart St. Frances Academy was fourth at the state tournament last year, but Archbishop Spalding and Gilman appear on paper to have a slight edge this year. The Panthers lost several wrestlers from last year’s squad, and it remains to be seen what kind of impact the new arrivals will have.

Returning placers for St. Frances are Kamren Griffin (120, 4th and 7th), Christian Wright (132, 3rd and 6th), Noah Shird (138, 6th at both), Chase Carpintieri (165, missed the MIAA tournament but placed 4th at states), Derrick Grant (175, 3rd and 5th), Douglas Johnson (215, 4th and 7th), and Camren Wright (285, 2nd at both). One of their newcomers from Virginia, Walter Smith, will man the 150-pound position and placed second at last year’s War On The Shore.

Gilman’s solid lineup could even challenge St. Joe for top-dog status in the conference. Before we get into their returnees, we will highlight two freshmen who are already making waves. Liam McGettigan (106) placed at Ironman and JD Vassar (113) shined at the Ray Oliver Tournament, giving the Greyhounds a tough one-two punch to start dual meets.

Returning stars for Gilman are Anders Martin (120, 4th and 8th), Sawyer Enright (126, 5th and 8th), Zac Glory (132, 3rd/5th), Buck Franklin (138, 5th in MIAA), Emmitt (165) and Tyson (144) Sherlock (1st at both), and Nick Haughey (175, 2nd/3rd). Returning after missing most of last year due to injury is Gabriel Smith (215), who was 3rd in the MIAA and 4th in the state as a freshman.

Archbishop Spalding has won a MIAA and state crown in the past in one of the few years they have posted a full lineup. What the Cavaliers put on the mat always excels, the problem for them has been the holes in the lineup. For tournaments, it appears they are missing two weights, but they have a deep bench that includes Taina Fernandez, who is the top-ranked girl in the country in her weight, and a few other high-level talents who can’t crack the lineup but will help win dual meets with the flexible maneuverability they provide.

Proven commodities for Spalding are Eli Chesla (106, 3rd/4th), Henry Gessford (120, 2nd/4th), Sean Garretson (126, 2nd/3rd), Vincent Paolucci (132, 2nd at both), Zane Leitzel (138, 2nd/3rd), Charlie Gessford (150, 2nd/4th), and Peter Jerdal (215, 6th in the MIAA).

Loyola has teased us the last few years with their potential, but injuries have derailed their last two campaigns. If they can avoid the injury bug, the Dons also have the potential to finish on top. 

Top returnees for Loyola are Jayden Jackson (113, 1st/3rd), Cayden Farver (120, 1st/5th), Josh Hales (132, 5th/4th), Evan Williams (144, 5th/7th), Judah Aybar (150, 1st/3rd), Noah Brannon (175, 4th/8th), Aiden Bird (215, 5th/6th), and Luke Randazzo (285, 2nd in MIAA but missed states). Brandyn Fish (126) was fourth at the MIAA tournament two years ago but did not finish last year due to injury. 

Calvert Hall has a lot of new guys in their lineup this year, so time will tell if they can hang with the big boys as they have the last few years. Their runner-up finish at the Knightmare Invitational, ahead of defending public school state champs Linganore, bodes well for their prospects. 

Joshua Jackson (132, 5th/8th), Griffin Stewart (138, 3rd at both), Aidan Kammar (150, 6th in MIAA), Byron Baldwin (175, 4th at states), Sisto Averno III (190, MIAA Champ, missed states), Howard Otto (215, 3rd/5th), and Maxwell Garland (185, 4th/5th) are the leaders for the Cardinals. 

Archbishop Curley looks to be the best of the rest with a mostly full lineup but no returning placers. Brandon Lewis (215) looks to bounce back after injuries ended his year. Scott Anderson (175) and Dylan Fish (165) transferred in from Northeast-AA, where he was a public-school state placer. Freshman Oscar Davis (132) showed his promise at the Knightmare Invitational with a second-place finish and a win over Danny Scott (Huntingtown), who placed in the public-school states last year. 

McDonogh had quite a few lightweights that placed at the MIAA tournament last year, but they were not in the lineup for the Ray Oliver tournament, so it’s unknown if they are returning. JJ DiMonte (175, 2nd/6th) and Noah Onkst (215, 1st/2nd) are back, and both won titles at Ray Oliver.

Here are some other returning MIAA and state placers for the remaining teams.

Boys’ Latin brings back two who collected hardware last year, Steve Lombardo (126, 6th/8th) and EJ Hill (138, 4th/8th). Severn has two returning MIAA and state placers plus Aiden Schenck (215), a former MIAA placer, back in the mix. Luke Layden (120, 5th/7th) and Nicky Melfi (132, 4th/5th) will lead the way.

John Carroll’s Aaron Moccia will be at 175 this year after placing 5th in the MIAA and states. Hudson Holmes, an eighth-place state placer, is back for Friends School. Jack Bruffey (157, 5th/7th) and Rowen Myers (165, 6th in MIAA) are the top guys at the Gerstell Academy. St. Paul’s has Hayden Myers (175, 6th in both) back, and possibly a few more, but a lineup was not procured by press time for this article.