Season Overview
The Washington and Lee Generals capped off another great season in Cleveland, OH at the National Championships, where junior Zach Bylykbashi competed at 141 lbs. It was Zach’s second straight trip to the National Tournament, and the Generals have sent wrestlers to nationals three straight years: Ron Tassoni (184 lbs) in 2016, Zach Bylykbashi (133 lbs) and Joe Scott (165) in 2017, and Zach (141 lbs) in 2018.
In addition to national level success, W&L wrestling finished a program best 3rd in the Centennial Conference Championships, with four conference finalists and six placing in the top 4. At the Southeast Regional tournament, the Generals again placed a program best four wrestlers in the top 6. Zach Bylykbashi was crowned regional champion at 141 and named the Most Outstanding Wrestler. Sophomore Shane Conners (157 lbs), came seconds away from qualifying for nationals, falling in overtime ride-out in the 3rd place match. Sophomore Rexx Hallyburton (184 lbs) and first year Bryce Crew (149 lbs) finished 5th and 6th, respectively. The future is bright with all four regional placers returning for next season.
Academically, W&L finished with a 3.61 team GPA, good for 5th place nationally. Three wrestlers earned Academic All-American honors, Shane Conners ’20, Matt Kaminer ’18 , and Bryce Crew ’21. In addition, 11 wrestlers earned W&L Scholar Athlete honors in the fall of 2017, earning over 3.5 GPA in the fall semester.
The Generals went 9-5 in dual meets, including 4-3 in the Centennial Conference. It was W&L wrestling’s second straight year with a winning dual record both in the conference and overall.
Looking Ahead: Returning Starters
125 Ethan Hartman
133 Matt Muller
141 Zach Bylykbashi
149 Bryce Crew
157 Shane Conners
165 Alec Horne
174
184 Rexx Hallyburton
197 Zach England
285
Looking Ahead: Incoming Wresters
Ryan Luth (Milford, CT)
Charlie Cunningham (Pequannock, NJ)
Brad Basham (Burlington, MA)
Robert Rosen (Long Valley, NJ)
Clay Chadwick (Arlington, VA)
Joe Salerno (West Windsor, NJ)
Joey Dunn (Washington D.C.)
Artie Mabaka (White Plains, New York)
Joseph Tarquine (Gallatin, TN)
Russell Zimmerman (Mechanicsburg, PA)
Kevin Thole (Stillwater, MN)
