2005 Season Summary

Return to Glory Coming off of one of the more dismal seasons in Hammond Wrestling history, the 2005 squad would not be denied. Despite losing starters Sean Vorsteg (119) and Andrew COon (275) to graduation, Hammond looked like it would have his best season since 1998. The Bears didn't dissapoint. Returning to solidify the upper part of the lineup was County Champ and 3rd place state finisher Stephen Sessa at 189 lbs. Sessa's presence was a much needed 12 point swing in most matches for the Golden Bears. With Senior Ethan Cohen moving up two weights to 119 lbs., the Bears would call on Freshman and first year wrestler Jacob Sams to fill the void. At the other end of the lineup, Sophomore Jamil Spears would suit up his first year wrestling by filling the 275 lbs. weight class on varsity. In between the two inexperienced bookends would be a powerhouse lineup few teams could handle. JV County Champ Bryce Harley bursted onto the scene winning his first 15 matches of the year on his way to a Bowie Tournament title and 3rd place at the Catholic Invitational. Ethan Cohen (119) and Vince Taweel (130), along with Sessa would be the team's highest point earners as expected. Sophomore Zach Halper and Senior Captain AJ Smith provided huge stability at 125 lbs and 152 lbs. while returning varsity members Ryan McKevitt, Jeff Nuss and Adam Blake anchored the lineup. In addition to the waves made by Harley, Jose Maldonado quietly earned 39 wins and a Howard County Championship during his first season on varsity. The Greenstein twins would round out the lineup at 171 & 215 lbs. Hammond would jump out to a great start defeating River Hill for the first time in 5 years at the Bowie Tournament, while also finishing ahead of Glenelg. Keeping that momentum, the Bears would roll to an undefeated Churchill Dual Meet Tournament title with Ethan Cohen taking outstanding lightweight honors. With an undefeated dual meet season still in tact, the Bears would finish a respectable 4th at the Catholic Invitational with Sessa and Taweel both earning titles. The Hammond train had too much steam to stop as the Bears rolled to their first Howard County Dual Meet title since 1999 and its first region title since 2002. It wouldn't end there as the Bears defeated Harford Tech in the State Semi-finals and South Carroll in the State Dual Meet finals to be crowned 1a/2a Dual Meet State Champions for the first time since 1998. The Golden Bears weren't finished as they put 8 into the county finals and took home 5 titles with Vince Taweel, Jose Maldonado, AJ Smith, Stephen Sessa and Glenn I. DeVane award winner Ethan Cohen. This would be Hammond' 4th Glenn I DeVane award in 5 years as Cohen would follow Taweel (04), Tebeleff (02) and Mackin (01) as Hammond Wrestlers to earn the Counties Most Outstanding Wrestler award. Another weekend passed and another Region title belonged to Hammond as the Bears edged Glenelg for the Region Title on the wins of Cohen, Taweel, Smith & Sessa. The squad looked poised to finish out the season goal of 6 out of 6 titles, however they would fall short after injuries and illness set in. Vince Taweel's 2nd State Championship was not enough to overcome Owings Mills' 2 Champs as Hammond placed 2nd to perennial power Owings Mills at the State Tournament. Sophomore Taweel was able to repeat as State Champion and continue his quest for 4 State Titles. A feat accomplished only twice before in Maryland Public Schools. Taweel would earn County Wrestler of the Years honors and be named to the First Team All-Metro team. Head Coach Pedro Barbosa would earn County and All-Metro Coach of the Year while assistants Ryan Mackin and Jason Freiert received Assistant Coaches of the Year from the NWCA. A great turn around from a season ago, but the Bears were unable to capture the elusive sixth title... But one thing is for sure... the Bear is back...