Twenty-five wrestling alumni visited the C. Markland Kelly, Jr. Health, Wellness, and Fitness Center during a lunch reception held in conjunction with the annual Haswell M. Franklin, Sr. ’50 Gilman Duals. In its 42nd year, the invitational tournament hosted eight strong secondary school wrestling programs from Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Competition on the mats was intense; conversation in the fitness center was cheerful!

Attendees spanned eight decades of Gilman wrestling history. Tom Waxter ’52 attended for the fourth consecutive year; he continues to watch each season closely. Andy Weinstein ’20, recently returned to Baltimore after graduating from college, was eager to reconnect with his wrestling brethren, including his uncle, Rich Weinstein ’87. Andy caught up with Bill Gamper ’71 at the buffet. Bill volunteers as an assistant coach, as he did in Andy’s era. Bill reflected on Andy’s senior season, noting the remarkable coincidence of Andy winning the MIAA title for his weight class 50 years after Bill did so in his junior year, on the very same February date. Wow!  

Head Coach Bryn Holmes stepped away from the ring to visit the reception and share updates about the program. He referenced the graduation of six key seniors in 2025 and applauded the current squad’s returners for filling the voids and meeting the high bar set by their predecessors. The current team was down several members due to injury, but started the Duals’ morning competition round with numerous hard-fought victories. Bryn shared an optimistic view for the remainder of the Duals and for the balance of the 2025-2026 season. He encouraged alumni to come back to campus for the MIAA tournament on February 7, which he described as a wide-open battle between Gilman and four other schools. A thrilling day of on-campus competition not to be missed! 

The reception unfolded with much reminiscing and celebration of common ground between wrestling alumni. Guests then filtered out to the mats to witness the Duals’ final round. The Greyhounds had won their four-team pool and advanced to face the winner of the opposing pool, Mercersburg Academy (PA). The Hounds vanquished their foes convincingly to put a definitive stamp on a happy day of fellowship for supporters of Gilman’s proud wrestling tradition. Excellence continues!