Falls Church, VA- Last week George C. Marshall's David Friedman set the Virginia AAA Liberty District record for career victories with 123 with a 5-4 decision over Madison’s Stephen Ward. This weekend Friedman defeated Nathan Thomas 5-1 in the Liberty District Final to win his second consecutive District Title. It was the 3rd time Friedman has defeated Thomas this year. Friedman pinned Lord Walker of Langley in 1:32 and then defeated Stephen Ward of Madison 14-3. He is 33-0 this year with a career record of 126-27 and has won a school record 11 tournaments. Friedman is now 7 wins away from breaking Neal Blanford’s 1980 school record of 133 career victories.

“With all his success he is the perfect example of what hard work will do for you,” said Coach Cronin. “I can’t think of a single thing I have asked him to do that he hasn’t done. “What a great ride it has been having David on this team the last 4 years”. David has been the captain of the Statesmen the last 3 years, in fact he is the only non-senior ever selected as captain.

The choice to attend Marshall was the right decision for Friedman. “Having Coach Cronin for 4 years was just an added bonus.”

David’s most memorable wrestling moment was a 5-3 decision at states last year assuring him of placing in the AAA State Championship. Last year, in the 119 pound weight class David placed 1st in the District, 3rd in the Region and took 6th in the State.

Next week Friedman is a one of the favorites in the Northern Region Championships in the 125lb weight class. The thing he’ll miss most, “is the personal relationship with Coach Phil Cronin and the team chemistry developed." David credits part of this years success to his teammate and wrestling partner Lamont Watkins who also won the District at 119 pounds. The two have battled in practice all season and both have improved as a result of there tenacious practices. Marshall’s “Risk it All” motto this year produced two additional District Champions: Seth Byrum (160) and Pat Gallagher at (189). Marshall will take 6 wrestlers to Regionals this weekend at Robinson High School.

As for next year David Friedman will have to make a decision. He has been accepted to Ithaca, University of Pittsburgh, Hofstra, George Mason University and he is currently talking to Virginia Tech. The Marshall Statesmen will dearly miss a remarkable student athlete next year.