Blair Wins Close Battle of #1 vs. #2

by Jeff Fisher
Host, NHSCA Sports Hour

The battle between #1 Blair Academy (New Jersey) vs. #2 St. Edward (Ohio) in the championship match of the 11th annual NHSCA Wrestling Festival at Pleasant Valley High School in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania lived-up to its billing.

The match came down to the final bout at 132 pounds between Blair's Mark Grey and St. Ed's Edgar Bright.  Coming into the final match-up, the Buccaneers held a slim 24-22 advantage.

Blair picked-up a 27-22 victory when Grey escaped with 16 seconds to go in double overtime to win the bout 2-1.

The victory secures Blair's ranking as the top team in the country.  In December, Blair easily won the Ironman in Ohio with St. Ed's finishing second.

Next week, Blair will continue its march toward a possible 10th national title when it faces stiff competition in the NHSCA Final Four of Wrestling in Easton, Pennsylvania.

NHSCA Wrestling Festival - Showdown Looming #1 vs. #2

by Jeff Fisher
Host, NHSCA Sports Hour

If all goes according to plan, the 11th annual NHSCA Wrestling Festival will culminate with the biggest high school wrestling match of the 2011-12 school year.

If Blair Academy (New Jersey) and St. Edward (Ohio) successfully navigate their respective pools at Pleasant Valley High School in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, the two will meet in the championship round to determine which team is the best in America.

Blair enters the competition ranked #1 by Win Magazine and The Open Mat.  St. Ed's, which began the year ranked #1, is currently ranked #2.  The two schools flip-flopped spots after Blair won the Ironman in December with St. Ed's finishing second.

I spoke to both coaches on the NHSCA Sports Hour on Thursday, click here to listen to the interviews with Jeff Buxton (Blair) and Greg Urbas (St. Ed).

You'll be able to watch the showdown on the NHSCA website for free.  Go to NHSCA.com to learn how, plus see all of the results as the matches end.

Below are the latest rankings through January 10th from The Open Mat:

1. Blair Academy (NJ)
2. St. Edward (OH)
3. St. Johns (MI)
4. Apple Valley (MN)
5. Clovis (CA)
6. Brandon (FL)
7. Canon McMillan (PA)
8. Bettendorf (IA)
9. Wyoming Seminary (PA)
10. Detroit Central Catholic (MI)
11. St. Paris Graham (OH)
12. Bethlehem Catholic (PA)
13. Christiansburg (VA)
14. Archbishop Moeller (OH)
15. Simley (MN)
16. Perry Meridian (IN)
17. Southeast Polk (IA)
18. Poway (CA)
19. Broken Arrow (OK)
20. Union (OK)
21. Allen (TX)
22. Montini Catholic (IL)
23. Iowa City West (IA)
24. Central Dauphin (PA)
25. Massillon Perry (OH)