It appears St. Edward’s wrestling team is ready for the gauntlet of its dual meet schedule.

With nationally top-ranked Blair Academy (N.J.), No. 7 St. Paris Graham, No. 3 St. John’s (Mich.) and No. 15 Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.) all on their schedule the next three weeks, the Eagles served notice on Sunday they’re not going to duck anyone by winning their 13th Division I state dual meet championship with relative ease.

That it came without state champion Mark Martin and state runner-up Greg Kuhar — both on the mend with injuries — made it more special.

It came with a 54-16 opening round win over Kettering Fairmont, seeded in the meet. It steamrollered into a 49-12 semifinal win over No. 4 Wadsworth and concluded with the top-seeded squad knocking off No. 2 Moeller, 44-13.

So bring on Blair — ranked No. 1 by both Intermatwrestle.com’s Josh Lowe and Amateur Wrestling News’ Bob Preusse. St. Edward is ready.

“I think today was a big statement,” returning state champion Domenic Abounader said. “It will give us some big momentum going in. We have some guys banged up, but I think once we get some of them back, we can’t be stopped. We’ve always thought about being national champs. It means a lot to us. We never want to lose.

“Winning is big for our team, but next week is just another dual. We can’t get too hyped up. We need to wrestle like we know how to wrestle. If we’re on our game, I think we can take them.”

While that might appear a sign of arrogance, Abounader spoke with the humblest of intentions. It was also said with confidence based on the results at the duals. Abounader (182 pounds) joined teammates Lorenzo Bentley (106), Dean Heil (126), Edgar Bright (132), Nick Barber (138), Jacob Davis (160) and Ty Walz (220) with unscathed 3-0 marks.

For Complete Article by Brad Bournival, Special to The Plain Dealer