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HHS Wrestling has 3 Win Divisions at Capitol Challenge

By Anthony Paradise
Observer Staff Writer 12/30/05

Herndon wrestling finished second the 14th annual Capitol Challenge, and three individual wrestlers were champions at the second and final day of competition Dec. 29.
The first Hornet wrestler to win their weight class was 103-pounder Firen Gassman who was undefeated after taking down Madison's Matt Palmer 9-0, and in the process, made history by becoming the first female wrestler to finish in the top spot.
Gassman, who finished fourth last year, may have made history, but was more excited about having followed through with a goal she set.
"It's a dream come true," Gassman said. "In fourth grade I'd come to watch. I'd say, 'One day I'll be a champion here and I did it.'"
As happy as she was with her own accomplishment, she was just as excited to see her younger brother, freshman Reid Brown, claim the 125-pound division.
Brown won by edging out Osbourn Park's Dino Sfreddo 7-6. He said his victory was "pure excitement" as he also followed through on a dream.
"I went the past four or five years. I was the boy watching the big guys wrestle," Brown said. "It's great to win my first one. It feels great stepping into the high school wrestling world."
The third wrestler to win for the Hornets was 140-pounder Andy Sova who defeated Annandale's James Godbout 18-15.
Zay Lopez, at 171 pounds, placed second, 135-pounder Ben Brooks placed third, 160-pounder Ian Frances placed third, heavyweight Jake Deila placed third, 96-pounder Anton Dudzinsky placed fourth, 119-pounder Brian Thompson placed fourth, 145-pounder Allen Brownell placed fifth, 152-pounder Sam Merrill placed fifth and 130-pounder Joey Russell placed sixth.
Annandale, which had 13 wrestlers finish within the top six in their respective weight classes, earned first placed at the two-day tournament. Two of the Atom's wrestlers—130-pounder Morgan McNeil and 135-pounder Christian Dominguez—had first-place finishes.
James Madison High School finished third, Osbourn Park finished fourth, Marshall finished fifth, Stone Bridge finished sixth, Henrico finished seventh, Brookline (Mass.) finished eighth and J.E.B. Stuart finished ninth.

Herndon Wrestling

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Firen Gassman

Varsity Outstanding Wrestler of the Week

Jan 9th, 2006

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