Wrestling preview: Great Bridge eyes another state title as new weight classes provide shake-up, VHSL sanctions girls wrestling
Storylines
Worth the weight
Seven weight classes have been adjusted beginning this year: 144 pounds, 150, 157, 165, 175, 190 and 215. The National Federation of State High School Associations gave states the option to choose among 12, 13 or 14 classes. The VHSL chose to remain with 14, with the slight alterations. Area coaches have differing views on the decision, which gives more options to middle weights. “It takes away an upper weight that teams struggle to fill and adds in a middle weight where there are usually extra wrestlers that need experience,” one coach said, while another added, “Not a fan. States having different weight classes makes out-of-state travel more difficult and more difficult for teams from other states to attend our tournaments here in Virginia.“
VHSL recognizes girls wrestling
The VHSL voted in September to sanction girls wrestling as an emerging sport and will officially recognize state champions in an 11-weight-class tournament in February. Girls will continue to compete with their male teammates, able to wrestle in 12 coed or female-only events. This season, top area teams average about one female wrestler, and coaches hope to see a participation boost. “Girls wrestling is the fastest-growing sport in the world,” Kellam coach Mike Benzel said.
Wildcat world
After winning its 21st state championship last season, Great Bridge hopes to pull away from the 757 field under coach Steve Martin. In the second year of his second stint as coach, Martin has the Wildcats rolling with eight wrestlers ranked in Hampton Roads to begin the season. Great Bridge will also continue its marquee matchup with Cox as the Wildcats travel to Virginia Beach on Jan. 18 for the showdown between tradition-rich programs.
New coaches
Former Salem standout Gabe Crawford (class of 2016) takes over at his alma mater to replace Robert Toran, who stepped down following a successful career. A two-time state place-winner, Crawford went on to wrestle for Concordia, and he’s joined by a slew of other new coaches: Josh Conklin (Cape Henry), Charles Richardson (Kempsville), RJ Davis (Hickory), Raymond VanNostrand (Princess Anne) and Noah Walker (Norview) among others.
Region contenders
With a strong returning group, Grassfield hopes to defend its Class 6 Region A title from the likes of Kellam, Landstown and Ocean Lakes. In Class 5 Region A, Cox and First Colonial appear set to battle it out with Tallwood, Princess Anne and Hickory hoping to challenge. Granby has eyes on dethroning Nansemond River in Class 5 Region B, and Great Bridge is the clear Class 4 Region A favorite. Lafayette and Tabb want to close in on New Kent in Class 3 Region A, and Poquoson hopes to continue its reign in Class 2 Region A.
757Teamz Top 15
1. Great Bridge
Three state champions return for the Wildcats: sophomore Caleb Neal (138 pounds), senior Eric Doran (150) and senior Noah Lawrence (175). While the team graduated several key starters, Great Bridge is a favorite again to win the Class 4 state title, adding Nansemond River transfer Beau Lewis, a sophomore 144-pounder. Senior Aaron Turner (157), junior Myrin Nixon (132) and sophomore Jack Sawyer (106) also return.
2. Grassfield
Ten starters, including seven state qualifiers, return from the region champion squad. Senior Jahleel Armstrong (126) leads the group with seniors Jakob Brown (132), Gage Miller (138), Matox Allen (144), Kris Bitterman (157-65) and Khari McNeill (285). Senior Charlee Shuler, a girls state champion, is one of the area’s top 106-pounders. Seniors Guy Zegarelli (165-75), Zachary Kelly (175-90) and Zach Gammage (190) also will contribute.
3. Landstown
Senior Yuta Otero, a state runner-up, leads the Eagles with sophomore Michael Phoutasen (126) and sophomore Hayato Otero (113). Seniors Jayden Young (215) and Kris Velez (120) are back along with sophomore Maddox Smith (138). Nine starters return. “This team is looking to build off of the momentum from last season,” coach James Sanderlin said.
4. Cox
The defending 5A region champs welcome back a strong core of seniors, including Tyler Haley (165), Parker Tillery (157), Carter Shupert (144) and Aiden Manning (215). Haley is a returning state champion, while Tillery and Shupert were state placewinners. Junior heavyweight Graydon Howard also is back to defend his region title.
5. First Colonial
State champ Thomas Stofka, a junior 152-pounder, will have the Patriots contending again as they hope to usurp Cox in Class 5 Region A. Senior heavyweight Colin Pedersen, a state runner-up, also returns with senior Tyler Klinger (175), junior Owen Cherry (138) and junior Schey Huff (215).
6. Ocean Lakes
Region runner-up Jaden Campos (157) and junior Logan Chambers (165) head a solid Dolphins team aiming to improve on its fourth-place finish in Class 6 Region A. Kempsville transfer Christian Ballon, a senior 113-pounder, joins the fold, while senior Nate Bushey (175-90), sophomore Chris Castillo (106), sophomore Paul Chapman (126) and junior Bryan Turnage (132-38) return.
7. Kellam
Senior Owen Cherry (144), a state champion, leads a young Knights lineup boosted by the return of sophomore Ian Arnett (113), sophomore Brodie Altman (132), junior Jason McKee (195) and senior Beck Hoffman (175). Junior Mia Goodman (106), sophomore Josh Conza (120), sophomore Zander Brewer (106) and junior Kellen Good (126) are other names to watch.
8. Granby
Eleven state qualifiers return for a resurgent Granby program led by star sophomore Leonard Ashley (144). Junior Michael Cuffee (165), junior Chosen Wilds (132), senior Alexis Vasquez (138) and senior D’Marion Melton (157) return for the Comets, who hope to capture the Class 5 Region B crown.
9. Poquoson
Junior Ashton Withrow, a 2021 state champion, and sophomore Christian Leonard, a state placewinner, are back for a youthful Islanders team with only three seniors in the lineup. After winning four straight Class 2 state titles, Poquoson finished second last season and looks to restore order under coach Eric Decker.
10. Western Branch
State qualifier Cole Butler, a sophomore 106-pounder, is one of eight returning starters for the Bruins, hoping to see dividends from offseason workouts. “First year the whole team competed in offseason wrestling and looking for the results to show on the mat,” coach Brandon Hardy said. Senior Fenton Taylor (138) and junior Pierre Portes (144) also return.
11. Lafayette
Senior Brogan Hurt (157) leads the Rams, looking to challenge for a Bay Rivers District title and push into the upper echelon of Class 3. Warhill transfer Dillon Fitzpatrick (175) and Jamestown transfer Christian Gordy (165) join the team, while senior Bella Caulford (106) and junior Roman Ayala (126) return.
12. Deep Creek
The Hornets set a record last season with 10 state qualifiers and coach Travis Ferguson hopes to qualify the whole lineup this year. Junior Sam Diggs (165), senior Ethan Elswick (126) and senior Gavin Mills (132) lead the way alongside sophomore Braden Bewley (113), junior Amir Wray-Hill (120), sophomore Cole Clement (157) and junior Ricky Foreman (215).
13. Nansemond River
The defending Class 5 Region B champs welcome back senior Owen Rawls (120-26), a 2020 state champion, junior Scotty Lauver (113-20), junior Camden Bauswell (175) and senior Seth Murphy (190). “Good combination of experience and youth in the room; expect some of the younger guys to progress as the season goes on,” coach Tripp Seed said.
14. Princess Anne
Brothers Lucas (120, junior) and Ethan (126, sophomore) VanNostrand transferred from Green Run and join senior Xavier Jardine (150-57), senior Mattox Costa (126-32) and juniors Alex Costa (106) and Dawson Bowden (113) under first-year coach Raymond VanNostrand.
15. Cape Henry
Senior Josh Old (175) and freshman Townsend Winans (190) return as Tidewater Conference champions while a slew of TCIS runners-up are back: seniors Nolan Sharp (132) and Parker Tiffany (144), sophomore Adam Feldman (126), freshman Connor Walck (113) and sophomore Braydn Bartko (285).
Five wrestlers to keep an eye on
Leonard Ashley, Granby: A region and state runner-up as a freshman, Ashley posted a 26-2 record and begins the year as a formidable 144-pounder.
Noah Lawrence, Great Bridge: A state champion last season, Lawrence will wrestle at 175 and hope to lead the Wildcats to back-to-back team titles in Class 4.
Nolan O’Boyle, Norfolk Academy: Recently committed to North Carolina, O’Boyle won a state title last season and will wrestle at 165.
Yuta Otero, Landstown: The senior racked up 40 wins last year and aims to surpass his state runner-up finish.
Thomas Stofka, First Colonial: A state champion as a sophomore, Stofka leads a stout Patriots squad hoping to challenge in Class 5.
Individual rankings
106: 1. Josiah Irizarry, Tallwood; 2. Christian Silvey, Salem; 3. Charlee Shuler, Grassfield; 4. Aiden Sheesley, Gloucester.
113: 1. Hayato Otero, Landstown; 2. Ian Arnett, Kellam; 3. Hunter Elliott, Salem; 4. Christian Ballon, Ocean Lakes.
120: 1. Owen Rawls, Nansemond River; 2. Ashton Withrow, Poquoson; 3. Kyle Kuhlmey, Great Bridge; 4. Kyree Flamer, Salem.
126: 1. Jahleel Armstrong, Grassfield; 2. Michael Phoutasen, Landstown; 3. Will Marsh, Great Bridge; 4. Joseph Custodio, Kempsville.
132: 1. Yuta Otero, Landstown; 2. Jakob Brown, Grassfield; 3. Myrin Nixon, Great Bridge; 4. Brodie Altman, Kellam.
138: 1. Caleb Neal, Great Bridge; 2. Luke Murray, Peninsula Catholic; 3. Trey Thebarge, Tallwood; 4. Gage Miller, Grassfield.
144: 1. Leonard Ashley, Granby; 2. Beau Lewis, Great Bridge; 3. Owen Cherry, Kellam; 4. Mattox Allen, Grassfield.
150: 1. Thomas Stofka, First Colonial; 2. Eric Doran, Great Bridge; 3. Hunter Ray, Smithfield; 4. Christian Leonard, Poquoson.
157: 1. Jaden Campos, Ocean Lakes; 2. Parker Tillery, Cox; 3. Aaron Turner, Great Bridge; 4. Brogan Hurt, Lafayette.
165: 1. Nolan O’Boyle, Norfolk Academy; 2. Tyler Haley, Cox; 3. Logan Chambers, Ocean Lakes; 4. Sam Diggs, Deep Creek.
175: 1. Noah Lawrence, Great Bridge; 2. Dillon Fitzpatrick, Lafayette; 3. Tyler Klinger, First Colonial; 4. Camden Bauswell, Nansemond River.
190: 1. Nate Bushey, Ocean Lakes; 2. Jason McKee, Kellam; 3. Seth Murphy, Nansemond River; 4. Sam Villasenor, Poquoson.
215: 1. Aiden Manning, Cox; 2. Schey Huff, First Colonial; 3. Jayden Young, Landstown; 4. Caleb Patterson, Tallwood.
285: 1. Colin Pedersen, First Colonial; 2. Graydon Howard, Cox; 3. Khari McNeill, Grassfield; 4. Noah Hodges, Bruton.
Ray Nimmo, ray.nimmo@pilotonline.com
