Inside Voorhees Sports: Fine Finale

After a slow start, the Eastern wrestling team finished their season with a winning record. Led by captains, Anthony Orio, Jordan Hicks and Mike Davidowich, the Vikings finished with a 15-5 record. And with outstanding seasons, all three becoming part of the elite eight for the 2002 states.

Hicks (152 pounds) placed first at December's Caldwell and Holiday Tournaments. Undefeated on the season, he gained not only a district title but also his first Region 7 championship title. He earned his 100th win during the first round of districts on Feb. 22. Hicks ended his season by finishing fourth in state championships.

Sophomore Anthony Orio (171) also pulled first place finishes at both the Caldwell and Holiday Tournaments. Orio took first in the district and third in the region this season. But at the state championships in Atlantic City, Orio lost a hard-fought rematch with Lenape's Doug Umbehaur, earning him a sixth place finish.

Senior Davidowich (Hwt.) started the season by taking second in the Caldwell Tournament with an 8-0 loss to Tom Curl of Paulsboro, then quickly recovered to gain place first at the Holiday Tournament. For the second straight year Davidowich placed first in both District 26 and Region 7. He obtained a second place state finish after placing fifth in the state in last year. Davidowich finished with 98 wins in his career.

All fourteen of Eastern's men made it through the first round of districts. Hicks, Anthony Orio and Davidowich, Nick Orio (112) and John VanDyke (189) obtained first place District 26 finishes. The Vikings' third place finishers were Derrick Sharp (103), Andrew Coles (119), Chris Saviano (125), AJ Sudeck (130) and Ken Jack (160). Other strong additions were Mitch Brown (135), Shawn Newcomer (140), Ryne Wasiluk (145) and Bill Schneider (215) who all obtained fourth place district finishes.

Role Playing
When the athlete called "Big Mike" reached high school, he became Eastern's starting varsity heavyweight wrestler. Davidowich started competing in seventh grade, and in eighth grade was voted MVP and Best Male Athlete. Now a senior, he is a tough wrestler that Coach John Sanders says is "a strong powerful young man." In his freshman year Davidowich took home a fourth place district finish, followed up by a second place finish in his sophomore campaign. As a junior, he gained district and regional championships and placed fifth in the state.

Having never missed a match, Davidowich finished his high school career with an overall record of 98-21 after taking a first place finish in District 26 and Region 7. At March's state championships, in the last match of the night and of Davidowich's career, he once again faced defending champion Curl only to be pinned for the first time against his foe. Taking second in the state for 2002 and earning just short of 100 wins Mike was sated with his career. "I wrestled a good semi-final match and I knew going out that Curl could beat me."

Along with wrestling, Davidowich is a three-year varsity football player, excelling at offensive guard and defensive tackle. He was a two-time all-Conference offensive guard, a two-time Group 4 champion, and a Second and Third Team all-South Jersey. Davidowich also excelled in the classroom. Partial to working with his hands, he has been spending his time finishing a gazebo in the Eastern Senior High courtyard. He has managed to maintain honor roll status while participating in two varsity sports per year and working as a spa technician at All Season's Pool and Spa with wrestling teammate Chris Saviano and baker for his family-owned bakery, Sweet Eats.

Davidowich also serves as a role model to his two younger sisters, Terri 13, and Devon 8. He plans to attend college as an accounting major with intentions to take over the family bakery. His top college choices include: Franklin and Marshall, Millersville, Rider and Rutgers. Mike intends to continue wrestling on the collegiate level. For now, Davidowich's sports career is at a standstill, but he continues to apply himself. Studying, wrestling and baking never went hand-in-hand so nicely.

Content provided by South Jersey Sports Club.

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Author: SJ Sports Club-Beth Joseph