Wrestling: Honor for Cape Henry sophomore

Cape Henry’s Will Mason liked his chances heading into the National Prep School Championships.

He had seen fellow title contender Max Hvolbek of Blair Academy at other tournaments. “I always thought I could beat him,” Mason said. “I just never had the chance.”

Mason seized that opportunity Saturday, winning a 5-2 decision over Hvolbek, ranked No. 10 nationally by InterMat, in the 103- pound championship match.

Mason is the first national champion in any sport from Cape Henry and is believed to be the first South Hampton Roads wrestler to win a title at the national preps meet at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.

Norfolk Academy’s Bryan Whitt (112 pounds in 2009) and Zach Weisberg (103 in ’01) both finished second in the event.

“I’ve seen so many kids I thought were really good and didn’t do it,” Mason said. “To do it as a sophomore is shocking.”

Mason, who finished fourth at last year’s national preps, had the goal of winning it in the back of his mind all season.

Preparation began with the Super 32 Challenge in Greensboro, N.C., in October. Mason went 3-2, but he said he gained experience from two close losses. Then there was a disappointing sixth-place finish in the prestigious Beast of the East in December.

“I was the No. 3 seed going in,” Mason said. “It didn’t go as well as I hoped, but it gave me confidence knowing I could wrestle with the best kids.”

At the prep school championships, Mason edged Judson Preskitt of Bishop Lynch (Texas) 7-5 in overtime in the semifinals before beating Hvolbek.

Mason “won on two good scrambles where he looked like he was in trouble, but he dug himself out,” Cape Henry coach Jack Effner said of the final. “He never quits – he gets in tough spots and keeps hustling.”

Mason said he’s looking forward to a little time off, though he won’t totally get away from wrestling. After a trip to Omaha, Neb., for the NCAA championships, Mason said it’s back to practice. Qualification tournaments start soon for the freestyle division in July’s Junior National Championships in Fargo, N.D.

“He’s got a lot of potential,” Effner said. “If he keeps doing the things he’s doing, he’s going to be something.”