Smith, Meyers Represent EHS at Wrestling Nationals

Two EHS students competed in the Prep National Wrestling Tournament at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Penn.
Wrestlers from over 250 schools attempted to qualify for this tournament the previous weekend at regional tournaments held around the country. In addition to the sheer numbers of schools involved, the field includes the #1 and #2 ranked high school teams in the country as well as the top 20 wrestlers in most weight classes. In this competitive field, both William Smith '19 and Max Meyer '20 represented Episcopal, earning enough points to place the High School 58th out the 120 schools that qualified wrestlers.

Meyer won his first bout against the seventh-place finisher from Maryland. This was perhaps one of his best wins of the year as he wrestled a smart match, keeping the score low and scoring a takedown off a low single on the edge of the mat to go ahead in the final 25 seconds of the bout.  He then fell to the #1 seed from Wyoming Seminary (also ranked seventh in the country). In the consolations, he was in a tight bout with the fourth-place finisher from New England when he got turned and pinned. Max has one of the strongest returning resumes of the past decade, by virtue of his 21 wins, IAC championship, second place in the state and 1-2 record at Nationals.

Smith began his tournament facing the third-place finisher from Tennessee. Smith jumped out a quick 9-1 lead with two takedowns and two sets of back-points. His opponent his clawed his way back in match closing the score to 11-7, but he was able to close the deal with a strong third period, finishing with a takedown and back points to earn a 20-10 major decision. In the round of 16, Smith faced the New England champion and returning place-winner. Smith came out of the gate strong against the #4 seed, earning a takedown off a low single and two turns, the second of which lead to a first period fall and spot in the quarter-finals, only the third Episcopal wrestler to do so in the past 30 years. In the quarter-finals, he faced a wrestler who was coming off a pin of the #5 seed. The length and quickness of this opponent proved too much as he fell by an 8-0 major decision. After the loss, William had only 45 minutes to recover before wrestling in the “blood round” (the consolation round determining National Prep Place-winners). Facing the Tennessee runner-up, William put together some great defensive scrambles and nearly finished two single-legs, but ultimately fell by pin.  It is worth noting that William tied the single-season pin record (26) and finishes 6th in career wins (88) as well as 5th in career pins (65). In addition, Smith's 35-4 record, IAC and State titles, and “round of 12” finish at Nationals give him a resume exceeded by only two other wrestlers in the last 27 seasons.
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