Our Lady of Mercy High School junior William Pearl, on bottom, was the aggressor in his match against Marist School senior Shaun Walker, but Walker's tactical style worked in the end as he pins his opponent for the victory. Photo By Michael Alexander
Roswell
Catholic Schools ‘Dual’ It Out On The Mat
By MICHAEL ALEXANDER, Staff Photographer | Published January 17, 2008
ROSWELL—Marist School recaptured the championship trophy during the Jan. 8. Catholic Duals wrestling tournament at Blessed Trinity High School. This is the sixth year of the wrestling tournament that brings the teams of Blessed Trinity High School, Roswell, Marist School, Atlanta, Our Lady of Mercy High School, Fairburn, and St. Pius X High School, Atlanta, together for competitive wrestling.

Shane Fadem of Blessed Trinity High School finds himself in an awkward position during his match against Marist School’s Michael Scott, but Fadem turned things around as he defeated Scott in a 16-12 decision. Photo By Michael Alexander
In the first round of matches, Marist defeated Our Lady of Mercy 76-3 and Blessed Trinity defeated St. Pius X 63-14. In the second round of matches Blessed Trinity defeated Our Lady of Mercy 72-12. In the process Blessed Trinity head wrestling coach and Catholic Duals founder, Richard Barden, got his 100th win. Marist also defeated St. Pius 64-15 to set up the deciding round against defending champions Blessed Trinity.
Marist broke out to a 15-0 lead before Blessed Trinity scored their first four points in the 125-pound match. Marist went on to win the next seven out of 10 matches to defeat Blessed Trinity 45-19. As the winner of the 2008 Catholic Duals, Marist will host the tournament next year.