After going 46-2 in his junior year, Archbishop Spalding’s Charlie Lynch finds himself back on the path to a 2011 National Prep Championship year.
“I was undefeated all season and ended with two one-point losses at Nationals,” Lynch said recapping his MIAA and MIS tournament wins. “I didn’t finish where I wanted to be, so this year I am going to work hard ant try to improve.”
Improvement is something Lynch is used to, climbing to the high school tier in his sophomore year after being a freshman transfer from Mount St. Joe to place second in the MIAA and fourth in the MIS, and came just two matches away from a perfect season in his junior time on the mat.
“Hard work was really what I needed to grow, and just doing that really helped me become a better wrestler,” he said.
Working hard will take no adjustment in the practice room, according to Spalding coach Mike Laidley, who says he has never coached a tougher wrestler pound-for-pound.
“Lynch, bar none, is the hardest worker I have day-in and day-out,” Laidley said. “Kids want to drill with him, and they know they are going to get a workout.”
Leading the Cavaliers into their first every preseason No. 1 ranking in the Baltimore-area, Lynch is alongside returning wrestlers Will Switzer, a 43-9 state runner-up and National Prep All-America, MIAA and MIS runner-up and 100-win Kvante Smith, also a National Prep All-American, and the highly accomplished Cole Gallagher.
“I am definitely hoping to win nationals this year and going undefeated this year,” Lynch said. “The biggest challenge is going to be not going out there scared. I froze up at Nationals, and I just can’t do that again this year.”
