Metro Wrestling -- 8Th In Row For O'dea

Winning 10 of 14 individual titles, O'Dea easily captured the Metro League wrestling championship for a record eighth straight year last night.

The record had been held by Nathan Hale, from 1984-90.

There was some glory for Hale last night as senior Lincoln Manahan was named wrestler of the meet for the 101-141-pound divisions after winning the 122-pound title. His father and coach, Dave, was voted Metro coach of the year by his peers.

O'Dea junior James Whitescarver, who won his third consecutive Metro title (148 pounds this year) was named wrestler of the meet for the middle and upper weights. He beat Blanchet sophomore Taylor Croonquist 14-2. Another notable O'Dea winner was senior Nick Schoen, the only Irish wrestler to compete at state last year. He beat Brian Pena of West Seattle 14-3 at 129 pounds.

O'Dea, coached by Jeff Anderson, finished with 311 points, 126 1/2 ahead of second-place Blanchet with 184 1/2.

Four of the 14 championship matches were all-O'Dea finals.

At one time last night at Cleveland High School, where two matches were conducted simultaneously, all four wrestlers on the mat were from O'Dea.

Senior Troy Turner pinned sophomore teammate Ryan Ronstadt in the 158-pound division and sophomore Taylor Lopez beat senior teammates Rick Rahlfs at 168 pounds, 8-6.