Sports & Recreation
Ocean City Today Mar. 11, 2022
Page 51
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Six SD wrestlers win medals duing Md. championship By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (March 11, 2022) Twelve Stephen Decatur wrestlers – seven boys and five girls – competed in the MPSSAA 1A/2A state championship meet last weekend at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, and six came home with medals. Senior captain Alex Koulikov won the state title in the 195-pound weight class. “It’s really exciting. I think it’s even more exciting since I haven’t been able to participate in the state championship up until this year [because] I was injured last time I qualified,” he said. “I think I wrestled pretty good. I just kind of made sure I got a good warmup and had my mind right. I showed what I know and the knowledge Ive gained. I showed everybody who Alex Koulikov really is.” Koulikov pinned his first opponent in 56 seconds and the second in 47 seconds. He pinned his semifinals opponent in 2:56. In the finals, he scored a pin in 3:52. “I don’t want to say I expected it, but that was definitely my goal. All season I’ve been undefeated and every match has been a pin except for two times,” Koulikov said. “It feels pretty good. I think I always knew I was going to be a state champion. I just finally had the chance to prove it. It feels great, especially since Coach [Todd] Martinek is retiring, I was his last state champion.” He finished the season undefeated, 27-0. He is also regional champion at 195 pounds and Bayside Conference champion in his division. “Overall, the season went pretty good. I was out up until before winter break [with an injury]. Once I came back though I was ready to go. I was hungry,” he said. Senior captain Noah Reho came in second place in the 160-pound weight class. “I wouldn’t say it was the best tournament I’ve ever wrestled, but I do think I went out and I showed my ability,” he said. “The first day I pinned both of my guys in the first period [52 seconds and 1:24, respectively], second day I teched my guy [21-6] in the second period.” Reho said has finals match against South Carroll’s AJ Rodrigues was expected and anticipated. “I feel that both of us are No. 1 and No. 2 pound-for-pound in the entire
LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Six Stephen Decatur wrestlers earned medals for placing sixth or better during the MPSSAA 1A/2A state championship meet, last weekend at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro. Pictured, from left, are senior Danera Collick (fifth, 235-pound weight class), junior Mia Stubblebine (fourth, 190), sophomore Gavin Solito (second, 145), senior captain Alex Koulikov (state champion, 195), senior captain Noah Reho (second, 160) and sophomore Reid Caimi (sixth, 126).
state of Maryland and I wanted that going to do,” he said. “[It will take] match and so did he, and I’m not commitment to the sport, wrestling ashamed that I lost that match,” Reho to my ability all year and just putting said. He lost 3-1. “AJ’s a great com- in max effort. Everybody at that level petitor. I was very happy how I wres- they all buy into it, it’s just who buys tled. I wrestled a pretty good match. into it more and that’s what it’s going A 3-1 match, just a one takedown to take.” Sophomore match. Everybody Gavin Solito took knew that’s how it ‘I think I always knew I was second in the 145was going to be. It was 50-50 who was going to be a state champion. pound state weight going to get it.” I just finally had the chance class division. He won his first Reho finished to prove it.’ three matches by the season with a Alex Koulikov decision, 9-3, 16-9 38-1 record. He and 9-7. He lost in won a Bayside Conference title this year and captured the finals, 7-4. “Every kid did something different his third consecutive regional chamthat I had to figure out,” he said. “I pionship. “I’m very happy with my career. I feel like overall I did pretty good. Obhit every tick that everybody tries to viously I wanted to win, but second is hit. I think I’ve built a resume that not too bad. My first time at states it everybody else wants to have when was pretty fun being with the team all they’re done with high school weekend and just bonding with wrestling,” he said. “I’m not devas- everybody.” Solito went 27-4 this season. He tated that I didn’t get a third state title – I already have two. I’m more won a Bayside title and regional happy Alex Koulikov got his state championship at 145 pounds. Solito said he is already looking championship after three years.” Reho has committed to wrestle for forward to next season. “I’m excited. I can’t wait to get Division I Bloomsburg University of back into the [practice] room so we Pennsylvania. “I’m pretty excited for [Division I] can start working for next year,” he wrestling. I’m just curious how I’m said. “Overall, I think the season went
pretty good. I only had a few losses, so that’s pretty good.” Sophomore Reid Caimi finished in sixth place in the 126-pound division. “I’m honestly really happy with it. I think I wrestled a pretty good tournament. I don’t think many people were expecting me to place sixth,” he said. “It was pretty cool. Being in the arena, it’s a big place. I wasn’t really nervous. I felt like I made it there and I had nothing to lose. I was just there to wrestle.” He lost his first match, 14-2, but won the next three by decision, 10-6, 7-4 and 9-2. Caimi was pinned in the consolation semifinals, then lost the fifth/sixth-place match, 3-2. “We were pretty close, back and forth in the [finals] match. He’s better than me, he’s a senior so I won’t see him next year,” he said. “I’m pretty happy with my performance at states.” Caimi finished the season with a 24-11 record. “I had a great season. I made lots of memories and we had a great team,” he said. “I’m looking forward to next year. It’s going to be pretty sad [with Coach Martinek retiring]. He really helped a lot. He worked See KOULIKOV Page 52
