Cumberland Times-News

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March 1, 2013

Seven going to state tournament

Martz, Shaffer hoping to repeat as champs

From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News

COLLEGE PARK — Seven area wrestlers will shoot for their ultimate goal this afternoon when they open competition in the Maryland 1A/2A State Wrestling Tournament at Cole Field House on the University of Maryland.

For Mountain Ridge’s Adam Martz and Southern’s Austin Shaffer, it’s a chance at adding to their state championship they already have. The five remaining grapplers are looking to make their first mark as state champions, with two more Miners, two other Rams and one Allegany Camper also hitting the mats today beginning at 2:30 p.m.

A year after winning the state title at 126 pounds as a freshman, Martz returns to College Park to try for the 132-pound championship. Though he’s 36-2 for the season, Martz will be looking to rebound from his second loss after he dropped a 10-4 decision to Catoctin’s Charles Perella in the 1A/2A West Region final.

Shaffer is also coming off a loss in the region finals, a 6-2 decision to Catoctin’s Tim Nordan, which serves as his only setback of the year. The junior takes a 39-1 record with him as he tries for the 113-pound championship after winning at 106 pounds in last year’s tournament.

Mountain Ridge sophomore Cody Mathews (106) and junior Tyler Maynard (160) are seeking their first state title after Mathews placed third in the region with a 7-5 win over Garrett Buckley of Catoctin, and Maynard lost 11-5 to Century’s Brandon Buckingham to finish fourth in the region. Mathews carries a 35-4 record into the state tournament, where he finished sixth last year as a freshman. Maynard enters competition 25-5.

Senior Scott Cooper of Southern defeated Malik Randell of Winters Mill to place third at the region meet at 195 pounds and is 23-2 entering the tournament. Junior Ram Tanner Massey (26-12) finished fourth at 138 pounds in the region tournament after falling 6-4 in overtime to Oakdale’s Nic Przybocki.

The area representative at 285 pounds is Allegany’s Garrett Maiers. The senior placed third at the region by pinning Williamsport’s Brandon Iseminger in 30 seconds to improve to 33-5.

The top four finishers in each weight class from the region tournament qualify to participate in the state meet. A total of 448 athletes are chasing 28 separate championships as this year’s tournament. Winter’s Mill is trying for its third consecutive Maryland 1A/2A title.

Wrestling will continue at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday after the first rounds are finished on Friday.

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