2005-2006 Season Review

2006 Northern Region Champions
2006 Patriot District Champions

The 2006 edition of the MatHawks entered the season with high expectations and a sense of purpose due to the fact that in 2005, Hayfield did not win the Patriot District title for the first time in this decade.  Although, the team rallied to place 2^nd in the 2005 Northern Region Tourney, the MatHawks felt that they underachieved. 

The 2005-2006 season started with a bang, as the Hawks routed Herndon in the inaugural Charity match held at Hayfield.  However, the following week a disturbing pattern began to emerge that would plague the MatHawks throughout the rest of the season; starters missing matches. 

At the Hanover Duals, 2 starters, Alan Kwong and Chris McIntosh, missed weight, leaving the Hawks shorthanded in the dual meet tournament.  As a result Hayfield fell to highly ranked Garfield by a point before rallying to win their next four matches and finishing in 3^rd place at the Hanover Hawk Duals. 

At the Beast of the East, the toughest tournament in the country, senior Calvin placed 7^th in this prestigious event. Next, South County came to Hayfield for a dual meet, and they were shut out by the MatHawks.  Once again, the Hawks were without a starter, as Robert DeSano came down with a case of Burnhamitis, but Daniel Mills filled in capably and preserved the shutout. 

After Christmas, Hayfield traveled down to Orlando, FLA and battled in a dual team tourney at Oviedo HS (ranked #14 nationally).  Once again the Hawks were without several starters, as Cory Monaghan was injured during warm ups, so back up Stephen Robarge got some valuable mat time, and Jonahan Romero’s knee limited his availability.  Never less the MatHawks ended up 6-1 and placed 5^th. 

At the extremely tough Battlefield Duals, the Hawks were once again without several starters, Chris McIntosh, Cory Monaghan, and Jonahan Romero all missed significant mat time.  In addition, Mike Meunster also was injured.  In spite of all this, Hayfield defeated top ranked regional opponent Robinson and finished 4-4 overall. 

Up in cold New York, the MatHawks competed in the Eastern States Tourney, Alan Kwong awoke from a season long slumber and won 5 matches in this tough event.  Calvin Cardillo placed 6^th in this event.  

Hayfield swept through their district competition and put an astounding 10 wrestlers into the district tournament semi final round.  Hayfield crowned 4 individual district champions and cruised to their 7^th district title in 10 years.  Alan Kowng, Jonahan Romero, Stephen Ours, and Calvin Cardillo all won individual champions.

At the region tourney, Chris McIntosh kept up the Hayfield tradition of unheralded wrestlers stepping up and making a difference in this tournament.  Chris placed 4^th and led the Hawks to another regional championship.  This tournament was not sealed until Calvin Cardillo pinned his opponent in the regional finals allowing the MatHawks to nip Robinson for the title by 2 points.  Disappointingly, the junior class was shut out, as none of the 11^th graders placed in this event.

At the state tournament held at Robinson HS,  Senior Calvin Cardillo finished his high school career by winning a state title at the 189 lb weight class.  Cardillo became Hayfield's 7th state champ, and the 4th under Coach Roy Hill.  Sophomore Stephen Ours also finished his outstanding season with a 4th place finish at 152 lbs.  Ours also defeated his long time rival from Robinson, Lee Carsten, for the first time.  As a team the Hawks finished in 11th place.