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Blair Academy Signs up Five Wrestlers for NHSCA Senior Nationals

EASTON, PA (January 6, 2010) The National High School Coaches Association 21st Annual High School Wrestling Nationals Championship event is slated for March 23rd to March 28th at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, VA. The National High School Coaches Association is a non-profit organization who owns and produces the most prestigious high school wrestling event in the country.  

Last year, a total of 2,628 competitors from 49 wrestling states and four different countries registered to compete in this event.  Across all four divisions, over 700 of the individuals had won at least one state title throughout their career. 

The Senior Nationals alone boasted 16 four-time state champions, 46 three-time state champions over 100 two-time state champions and over 200 one-time state champions.  The 28 finalists in the event sported 54 individual state or national prep titles. 

Recently, Coach Jeff Buxton signed up five wrestlers to participate in the tournament in March.  

“It’s a great event to be at,” said Coach Buxton. “Any time I can put my wrestlers in a tournament of this quality I jump at the chance to do it. It’s also the end of our folkstyle wrestling season and a way for our seniors to be in one last tournament together to get ready for the next stage of competition in college.”  

At 140 for Blair from Totowa, NJ will be Cornell bound Chris Villalonga. Villalonga is a two-time Ironman Champion, two-time Beast of the East Champion, three-time National Prep Champion, and three-time Fargo All-American.  

With a record of 30-9 from Blairstown, NJ Jesse Shanaman will be weighing in at 152 for Blair. Shanaman, who is also on his way to Cornell University, placed sixth in the Ironman tournament and fourth in the Beast of the East tournament this season. At 160 from Mansfield, OH with a career record of 79-29, Brad Bishop will be taking a shot at a Senior National title as well. Bishop will enter the tournament with a New Jersey Prep State Championship and fifth place finish in the National Prep Tournament. 

From Enola, PA at 189, Michael Evans will represent Blair Academy with a 51-1 record. Evans is also a Beast of the East Champion, third place Fargo Freestyle finisher, and fifth place Fargo Greco finisher. Evans will be attending The University of Iowa after high school. 

Lastly, with a 35-12 career record and Prep States title, Dillon Hoffman will be participating at the 215 pound weight class.  

About the NHSCA: 

Founded in 1989, the National High School Coaches Association is a not-for-profit 501c3 service organization providing support and leadership programs for the nation's 500,000 high school coaches and 10 million high school athletes.