Mclean Wrestlers Place Fifth in Tourney

The McLean High School wrestlers concluded a demanding month of December today by placing fifth out of 12 teams at Mount Vernon High School’s Assault on Drugs dual meet tournament. Highlander Jeremy Bussard went 8-0 to win the 171-pound weight class.

The Highlanders started strong by defeating four of the five teams in their opening round pool. On Wednesday evening, McLean defeated Patrick Henry 49-26, Wakefield 55-27, and Liberty District rival Lee 60-21. After falling to eventual tournament champion Westfield 66-12 Thursday morning, the Highlanders rebounded to defeat Fort Defiance 41-30.

The Highlanders’ 4-1 opening round record qualified them for the six-team championship round, where they immediately ran into Langley. The Saxons rolled to 54-19 victory as Robert Crawford (125), Troy Hayre (135), Bussard, and heavyweight Shane Mills were the only Highlanders to win. McLean followed the Langley loss by losing to visiting Pennsylvania school Youngsville, 51-23, and Herndon 49-35.

In addition to Bussard’s strong performance, which included a nine-second pin, as well as a gritty 8-7 victory over a veteran Youngsville opponent, McLean’s Crawford and freshman 112-pounder Justin Johnson each recorded five victories. Johnson picked up three falls, a technical fall (margin of victory 15 points or more), and a major decision (margin 8-14 points). Sophomore Troy Hayre (135) also pinned four of his seven opponents over the two-day event.

Two Highlanders recorded their first varsity victories. Sophomore 145-pounder Tyler Work, filling in for the injured Brendan Griffin, pinned his Wakefield opponent, and senior heavyweight Chris Iskander, subbing for regular starter Shane Mills, won by decision against Wakefield.

The Highlanders are off until Jan. 5, when they will take their 9-6 dual meet record into a triangular meet with Edison and Washington & Lee at McLean High School.

Mike Hume may be emailed at mhume@fcnp.com