QO HUMBLED in Tough Tri-Meet WITH NORTHWEST & WHITMAN

Cougars Show Fight but Fall Short Against MoCo's Best

Quince Orchard Wrestling endured a challenging day at their tri-meet with Northwest and Whitman on the 25th of January, falling in a hard-fought 41-31 battle with Northwest before taking a 59-22 loss against defending state champion Whitman. The Cougars showed flashes of strength but were ultimately reminded of the work still ahead to compete at the highest level.

Against Northwest, QO was led by pins from Julian Pollard (146) and Ethan Watson (152), as well as tech falls from Tommy Peluso (140) and Curtis Harris (134). Alex Lee (192) added another victory, but Northwest’s depth proved too much in the end.

Facing Whitman, QO saw strong performances with pins from Gavin Hill (167) and Tristan Cabugwas (287), while Peluso (140) and Ben Hersh (115) notched tech falls. However, the Vikings showcased their championship pedigree, outmatching QO in nearly every phase. Despite the setbacks, the Cougars gained valuable experience as they continue their push toward postseason competition.

Cougars Stay Hot with Three Straight Dual Wins, now 8-0

QO Dominates Watkins Mill, Outlasts Paint Branch & Walter Johnson

Quince Orchard Wrestling dominated at home against Watkins Mill (1/15) with a commanding 78-5 victory. The Cougars controlled the match from start to finish, racking up multiple first-period pins, including Tommy Peluso (140 lbs.) in just 8 seconds and Gavin Hill (167 lbs.) in 16 seconds. Heavyweight Michael Kafando (287 lbs.) also closed out the meet with a pin, sealing one of QO’s most dominant performances of the season.

The team carried that momentum into a tough road matchup at Paint Branch (1/22), coming away with a 46-31 win. Six Cougars secured pins, including Peluso (140 lbs.), Pollard (146 lbs.), Watson (152 lbs.), Ticas (159 lbs.), Hill (167 lbs.), and Cabugwas (287 lbs.), as QO fought off a late surge from the Panthers to claim the victory.

A quick turnaround saw QO battle Walter Johnson (1/23) in another tight road contest, eking out a 38-34 win. Harry Spadoni (128 lbs.) set the tone with a pin in just 20 seconds, while Peluso (140 lbs.), Watson (152 lbs.), Malinowski (217 lbs.), and Hersh (115 lbs.) each stepped up with crucial falls to help the Cougars secure their third straight dual win. These back-to-back-to-back victories continue to build momentum as the team eyes postseason competition.

Cougars Go 6-3 at Best of the Nest Duals

Hill Earns 100th Win, Cabugwas Earns M.O.W., Three Wrestlers Go Undefeated

QO Wrestling put together a strong performance at the Best of the Nest Duals at Kenwood High School, finishing 6-3 on the weekend. The Cougars secured wins over Easton, Kenwood, Westminster, Glen Burnie, Mt. Carmel, and Carver A&T while battling to the wire against two ranked opponents. Two tough losses to #25 Crofton and an epic showdown with #18 Manchester Valley, decided in the final match, rounded out the weekend's showing.

Several Cougars delivered standout performances, with Tommy Peluso (9-0), Gavin Hill (8-0) and Ashton Hunte (6-0) going undefeated in the tournament. Harry Spadoni (8-1), Izzy Peluso (7-2), and Josue Ticas (7-2) all racked up impressive records as well. Tristan Cabugwas (7-2) stepped up big against highly ranked opponents, earning Most Outstanding Heavyweight honors for the weekend. The team’s performance showed their ability to compete at a high level, setting the stage for a strong finish to the season.

Spadoni, PELUSO & Abegesah Named to MD Women’s National Team

Captains to Compete at Fargo Nationals

Quince Orchard’s Girls Wrestling captains, Izzy Peluso (105 lbs.), Aubry Spadoni (140 lbs.), and junior Amirah Abegesah (170 lbs.) have made history by earning spots on the Maryland Women’s National Team. This incredible honor will see them represent the state at Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota, this summer.

Izzy, ranked #4 in Maryland at 105 lbs., boasts a 19-6 record with 10 pins, excelling in both co-ed and girls' competition. Aubry and Amirah, ranked #2 in the state at their respective weights, have captured multiple tournament titles throughout the season.

These three exceptional athletes embody the values of resilience, growth, and excellence that define Quince Orchard Wrestling. As trailblazers for women’s wrestling, they inspire their teammates and future generations. We are super proud of their achievements and look forward to cheering them on this summer.

QO Captures Franklin Title in total Team Effort

Outpaces Host Franklin for Championship

The QO Varsity squad delivered an unforgettable performance at the Franklin Invitational on Friday, taking home the team championship in dominant fashion. With just 11 wrestlers competing out of a possible 14 weight classes, the Cougars relied on a total team effort to outscore host Franklin High School by 26.5 points. This victory carried extra significance for Coach Tyler, who spent eight seasons coaching at Franklin before returning to lead his alma mater, Quince Orchard. The Cougars sent eight wrestlers to the semifinals, advanced six to the finals, and crowned three individual champions, proving their depth and grit in a tough field.

Leading the way were Harry Spadoni (124 lbs.), Tommy Peluso (142 lbs.), and Josue Ticas (161 lbs.), who all claimed tournament titles. Meanwhile, Ben Hersh (117 lbs.), Gavin Hill (169 lbs.), and Tristan Cabugwas (289 lbs.) battled their way to runner-up finishes, contributing critical points to the team’s victory. Every wrestler stepped up to help the Cougars achieve this milestone.

QO Girls Shine with Top-10 Finish at Who’s #1?

Spadoni and Abegesah Dominate at Who’s #1?

The QO Girls Wrestling team took on some of the toughest competition in the region at the Who’s #1? Girls Tournament, featuring wrestlers from 47 schools across Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. With only five wrestlers representing QO, the team delivered a phenomenal performance, finishing in the top 10 (8th place) overall. The standout effort was led by Aubry Spadoni (140 lbs.) and Amirah Abegesah (174 lbs.), who each dominated their brackets to claim tournament championships in impressive fashion. Their relentless effort and skill were on full display as they added to their growing list of accolades this season.

Adding to the Cougars’ success, Esther Hernandez (149 lbs.) battled through a challenging field to secure a third-place finish. Despite the elite level of competition, the QO girls proved they can hang with the best

Cougars Battle at Clash Despite Adversity

Go 6-4 Against Tough Competition

The Quince Orchard Wrestling Cougars showed incredible heart and grit at the Clash at the Creek dual meet tournament on December 27-28. Missing several key wrestlers due to injuries and illness, the team embraced a "next wrestler up" mentality, battling through adversity to finish with a solid 6-4 record. Day one saw the Cougars notch wins over Thomas Johnson (55-21), Centreville, VA (42-34), and Wootton (78-6), while narrowly falling to state powerhouse Northern Garrett and eventual champion Brunswick. On day two, QO picked up wins against Springbrook (42-28), Potomac Falls, VA (72-0), and Middletown, DE (47-30), but came up just short in tough matches against Tuscarora and Perryville.

QO also had some big-time individual performances. Izzy Peluso (108 lbs.) led the way with an 8-2 record and a 3rd place finish, while senior captains Harry Spadoni (128 lbs.) and Tommy Peluso (140 lbs.) matched his 8-2 mark. Ashton Hunte (177 lbs.) and Tristan Cabugwas (287 lbs.) powered to 8-2 records of their own, both earning 3rd place finishes.

LADY COUGARS SHINE AT CLASH AT THE CREEK

Make History with 2nd Place Finish

The Quince Orchard Girls Wrestling team made history at the inaugural Clash at the Creek Girls Tournament, finishing as the runner-up out of 43 schools from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Despite competing with only eight wrestlers, the team’s incredible effort earned QO its first-ever tournament trophy, which will proudly be displayed in the school’s trophy case. The Cougars crowned three champions: senior captain Maria Gonzalez (112 lbs.) with a stunning come-from-behind pin, defending state champion Aubry Spadoni (142 lbs.) with a dominant run to the top, and junior captain Amirah Abegesah (172 lbs.), who was also named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Upper Weight Wrestler. Esther Hernandez (147 lbs.) earned a hard-fought second place, while Izzy Peluso (107 lbs.) battled back for third after her first loss of the season. With contributions from every athlete, this milestone performance showed the team’s growth and bright future.

QO DOMINATES SV, REACHES 5-0

Cougars Crush Eagles with Leadership and Rising Stars

The QO Wrestling Cougars continued their undefeated streak with a commanding 66-12 victory over Seneca Valley, showcasing a balanced effort led by senior captains and standout performances from rising underclassmen. Freshman Ethan Watson set the tone with a dominant 10-0 major decision at 150 pounds, while sophomore Izzat Ismailov and senior captain Josue Ticas added swift pins to extend the lead. At 106 pounds, sophomore Izzy Peluso remained undefeated with her third pin of the season, and senior captain Harry Spadoni delivered a thrilling 8-6 victory at 126 pounds, avenging a loss from last season. Strong leadership, a resilient rebound from Ashton Hunte at 175 pounds, and key wins across the lineup propelled the Cougars to 5-0, surpassing last season’s win total and solidifying their growth as a team.

BLAKE FALLS; COUGARS NOW 4-0

Shorthanded Cougars Battle to Gutsy 45-35 Win Over Blake

The Quince Orchard Wrestling Cougars overcame key absences to secure a thrilling 45-35 victory over Blake. Facing a tough opponent and missing two starters, the Cougars leaned on heart, depth, and some electrifying performances. Senior captain Tommy Peluso set the tone with a lightning-quick pin in just 52 seconds, while Josue Ticas delivered the match of the night, rallying back to secure a dramatic pin at 165. Freshman Ethan Watson showed incredible fight, saving bonus points against Blake’s top wrestler, and heavyweight Tristan Cabugwas brought the crowd to its feet with a season-best 14-second pin. Izzy Peluso and Harry Spadoni added dominant falls of their own, while Ben Hersh sealed a come-from-behind victory with a clutch pin late in the match.

QO SWEEPS CLARKSBRUG & GAITHERSBURG

Jumps to 3-0 with Strong Tri-Meet Showing

Quince Orchard Wrestling celebrated a triumphant night at their home tri-meet and Alumni Match, honoring past legends—including Hall of Fame Coach Ron Bowes and 1991 state champion Dave Vernier—while extending their undefeated season to 3-0. The Cougars opened with a commanding 43-23 win over Clarksburg, highlighted by dominant victories from Tommy Peluso (138 lbs), Josue Ticas (165 lbs), and Ashton Hunte (175 lbs), who secured his second pin of the season in just 1:06. Against a shorthanded but determined Gaithersburg team, QO rolled to a 57-20 victory, capped by Izzat Ismailov’s sudden-death win at 150 lbs and Ben Hersh’s first-period pin at 106.

QO DEMOLISHES WHEATON, 72-11

Cougars Dominate with 12 Pins in Season-Opening Statement

The Quince Orchard Wrestling Cougars began their season with an emphatic statement, dominating Wheaton in a 72-11 victory at home. Fueled by nine months of rigorous preparation, the Cougars showcased resilience, teamwork, and determination with 12 pins across 14 matches. Senior Ashton Hunte's electrifying return and 36-second pin set the tone for a night that celebrated redemption and growth, following last year's loss to Wheaton. From senior captains demonstrating leadership to newcomers making strong debuts, the team’s performance embodied their mission of excellence and relentless effort. This meet highlighted a culture shift, reflecting the Cougars' commitment to becoming champions on and off the mat.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to empower student-athletes by fostering a culture of excellence, resilience, and personal growth. We are committed to guiding our wrestlers to succeed both on the mat and in life. Our focus is on developing well-rounded individuals who excel academically, athletically, and personally.

OUR VISION

We aim to create a program where athletes are inspired to push beyond their limits, grounded in the core values of teamwork, determination, and respect. Our vision is to develop not only champions on the mat but also leaders in the community, individuals who uphold the highest standards of integrity and represent Quince Orchard with pride and honor in all areas of life, both now and in the future.

OUR STANDARDS

Quince Orchard Wrestling holds high standards of sportsmanship, integrity, and continual improvement. We expect our athletes to display discipline, respect, and accountability in every endeavor, both on and off the mat. Our program is built on a foundation of teamwork and pride, ensuring that each wrestler strives for excellence while upholding the values of our community.

BUILDING CHAMPIONS ON AND OFF THE MAT