File photo by BILL RYAN Thomas Stone's Garrett Lineberger claimed the 170-pound state championship bout during the Class 4A-3A state wrestling tournament in College Park.

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Thomas Stone junior Garrett Lineberger concluded a perfect 38-0 season with an unscripted victory tour through the University of Maryland’s Cole Field House on March 3.

Lineberger had a bucket of joyful tears and gave hugs to everyone he knew in sight after capturing the 170-pound state championship bout in a 7-3 decision at the Class 4A-3A state wrestling tournament.

“My team, my coaches, my family, God,” an emotional Lineberger thanked that day after rallying with a takedown and three backpoints to erase a 3-1 deficit during the last minute against Aaron Perez of Springbrook from Montgomery County in the finals. “It’s the best feeling in my life. I always wanted to win it. I didn’t get a chance here last year, but this year I finally did it.”

Lineberger also claimed the 4A-3A South Region tournament title by a technical fall and celebrated a Southern Maryland Athletic Conference tournament title the week before. He was top-ranked in his bracket all the way through the postseason.

Lineberger was named the Co-All-County Athlete of the Year along with former La Plata product Josh Llopez, and was an All-SMAC first-team selection.

“Garrett is a very polite, likeable young man off of the mat and a total menace on it," Lackey head coach Stephen Gilligan said in last season’s All-County voting. "He almost suffocates his opponents with his excellent conditioning and ability to score from any position.”

AJ MASON