Wrestler Qualifies for National Tournament

After finishing in the Top Four at the VISAA Championships last weekend, William Smith '19 traveled to Stabler arena on the Campus of Lehigh University to compete in the 83rd National Prep Wrestling tournament.
The tournament field included wrestlers from 131 different independent schools, and featured the No. 1 and No. 3 teams in the country, as well as numerous nationally ranked wrestlers.  In this very competitive field, William went 2-2 with 2 pins, and came within two matches of placing.
  • After a first round loss the eventual 5th place finisher, Smith faced the 6th place finisher from the Pennsylvania qualifier. Smith made short work of his opponent, getting a takedown and quick tilt to go 5-0 in the first. Starting on top in the 2nd period, he went for a  stack, and in the ensuing scramble, locked up a cross-face cradle for the fall.
  • Smith's second-round consolation match proved to be a tougher test as he faced an Andover wrestler who placed 5th in New England. After a first period takedown the put him up 2-1, Smith found himself in a dog-fight as the second period ended with William down 5-3. Starting on bottom in the third, Smith countered a cradle attempt to earn two reversal and three back points. An escape by his opponent put himup 8-6. Smith stayed on the offensive and took a double leg shot which his opponent attempted to counter with a funk roll. Smith stopped the roll, settled his weight and earned the third period fall.
  • His final bout came against the 11th seed from Malvern prep, one the top 50 teams in the country. Despite some good scrambling, Smith did not have an answer for the strength his opponent. Late in the match, down 10-3, he went for a thrown off double underhooks, but was not able to finish and he ended up losing by decision.
In reaching consolation round three, William joins Stew Spurry ‘16 and Calvin Lawson ‘15 as Episcopal’s highest finisher since 2011.

Full results available at  Arena Flowrestling.
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