From January 3rd-4th, St. Thomas Wrestling traveled up the East Coast to compete in the McDonogh School Naylor Duels in Baltimore, Maryland. Led by head coach Mike LeHolm, the WrestleTexas #1 Eagles showed an impressive performance, placing third overall.

Freshman Bezhod Rakhmatov and sophomore Grant Hay led the pack, both earning 8-1 records for the meet. Senior David Grattan went 6-3, while Freshman Pierce Ritchey and sophomore Jet Rank went 7-2. Returning state champions Roberto Pacini and Italo Chavarria-Mendez finished the tournament 6-3 and 5-2, respectively.

Beyond their podium finish, the Eagles were met with a surprise in Baltimore that highlights just how far the Eagle community extends: an opponent whose father, David Burns, attended St. Thomas, Class of 1996.

“It was really cool because I had no idea they were coming up,” Burns said. “I got a call from my son telling me that St. Thomas was there, and that he was about to wrestle them. I was able to drive William to the second day of the tournament, talked with a few parents, and got to reconnect with the school.”

Burns’ son, William (in gray), at the McDonogh School tournament.

Following his graduation at St. Thomas, David Burns continued his education at the University of Texas, Austin. His classmate, current school Principal Aaron Dominguez, also spent his collegiate years as a Longhorn and roomed with Burns in Austin. Burns graduated from UT with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and now works as Vice President, Head of U.S. Government Affairs at Prudential Financial. He has lived in Washington D.C. for nearly 23 years.

“If I lived in Houston still, my son would be at St. Thomas,” he shared. “The school he’s at now reminds me of St. Thomas in the brotherhood and camaraderie. It’s a big reason why he ended up there.”

The tournament in Baltimore served as an opportunity for St. Thomas Wrestling to showcase their skills, and for an alumnus to serendipitously reconnect with his alma mater. In many ways, the weekend was a reminder of the St. Thomas Athletics motto: Eagle Fight Never Dies.

“My experience in high school was foundational to the rest of my life,” Burns said. “You enter as a boy, and you leave as a man. I wouldn’t be who I am without St. Thomas.”