2016 Wrestling Preview

Robert Niedzwiecki The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — The cupboard will be pretty full this year as the Clarke County wrestling team makes a run at its third straight 2A East Region championship.

The Eagles return both of their state champions and six of their nine state qualifiers from last year’s team, which placed second at the Group 2A state tournament behind Grundy.

And Clarke County not only has a wealth of returning experience, but also a wealth of available bodies. The Eagles have 19 people on this year’s roster, which 16th-year head coach Jon VanSice said is the most the Eagles have had in several years.

“I’ve been carrying 14, 15, 16 for some time now,” VanSice said. “To have the number that high really gives me a lot of flexibility in my lineup. I haven’t had that in forever. I’ve got a lot of guys I can move around, wrestle on JV, or use as fill-ins. It’s pretty nice.”

VanSice said outside of 120 pounds — which VanSice said could possibly be filled by one of their current 126-pounders — Clarke County will have someone at every weight class.

While quantity is nice, it’s the quality of wrestlers that the Eagles have that will make them a true threat.

In three-time state champion Bayne Gordon and two-time state champion Bryan Wallace, VanSice has two of the best wrestlers in Virginia regardless of group classification or weight class.

Gordon (52-5, 25 pins) — who has verbally committed to NCAA Division I George Mason University — won the Group 2A state title at 126 pounds last year.

Gordon is bidding to become the first wrestler in area history to win four state titles. He’s already the only wrestler in area history to win three state titles for a local high school. (Jake Crawford won two state titles for Millbrook and one for Robinson High School.)

VanSice said he think Gordon will finish the year at 132 pounds this year. Based on what he’s seen, it’s going to be hard for anybody to stop him this year.

“Bayne looks better than I’ve ever seen him,” VanSice said. “He’s definitely stepped it up a notch, if that’s possible. He looks very solid.”

Wallace — who recorded 37 pins in posting the first perfect season in school history last year (46-0) to win states at 195 pounds — will move up to 220 this year.

The Eagles also boast several other talented wrestlers in junior William Heath (35-6, 25 pins, fifth in state at 152 pounds, region and conference champ), who will be at 152 or 160 this year; sophomore Dawson Parrott (22-19, second in the state at 120); who will be at 120 or 126 this year; junior 145-pounder Timmy Stokes (31-26, fifth in the state at 145) and junior 195-pounder Pete McLean (sixth in the state at 220). VanSice also likes the energy his new wrestlers have brought to the team.

Defending state champion Grundy (three individual state champs among the nine underclassmen who qualified for states last year) appears to be tough again, and locally, Clarke County will have to tangle with Strasburg, which brings back four competitors who placed in the top four at the state tournament last year.

In Group 4A, the local schools took some hits through graduation, particularly at Handley and Sherando.

Defending Conference 21 West champion Handley lost four of its five conference champions, including two-time state champion Lio Quezada (now wrestling at 141/149 for George Mason University) and Tommy Shea-Roop (now wrestling at 285 for NCAA Division I Virginia Military Institute).

Senior Cam Bentley (40-15, 29 pins, fifth in the state at 138 pounds) is the one returning conference champ. He’s also the Judges’ only returning state qualifier, and one of three returnees who had winning records (25-match minimum) last season.

Defending Northwestern District champion Sherando lost three of its four conference champions and returns one state qualifier, James Wood only returns one state qualifier, and Millbrook returns none.

Those two returning Frederick County state qualifiers are some pretty good ones, though.

Sherando senior John Borst led the area in wins (55-2 record) and pins (43) en route to winning the 182-pound state title (his second straight championship) and Winchester Star Wrestler of the Year honors. Since claiming that state title, Borst won two national tournaments and signed a National Letter of Intent to wrestle for Virginia Tech next year on a partial athletic scholarship.

Borst — who will move up to 195 pounds — is one of seven returning starters for Sherando. Each of them had winning records last year.

The Warriors have 38 wrestlers on their roster, but 33 of them will wrestle 170 or below. The only one of the top four weight classes that will have a backup is 220, and their 285-pounder — Sherando all-conference offensive guard Jose Guevera — only joined the team on Wednesday.

James Wood senior Aaron Black (52-5, 27 pins, region and conference champ) will be looking to advance to the fourth state final of his career. He won at 106 as a freshman, but took second at 113 each of the last two years.

Black (120 pounds this year) is one of five Colonel wrestlers back with winning records who will be guided by new head coach Cory Crenshaw.

Crenshaw — a former standout wrestler for Handley who graduated in 2010 — served as a volunteer coach for James Wood last year. Crenshaw takes over for Greg Walker, who resigned after 12 seasons and 253 career dual wins in June.

Millbrook brings back two wrestlers with winning records in seniors Kevin Valyear (23-11, conference champ at 160 pounds), who will wrestle at 170 this year) and Edwin Ramirez (23-14), who will stay at 152 pounds this year.

The Conference 21 West tournament will be at Handley this year on Feb. 4, and Judges coach David Scott said the tournament will be a bracket tournament and not a duals tournament like last year’s.

As to who will win it, Scott said it’s hard to say, but he feels Woodgrove will be tough with three wrestlers who placed in the top six at the state tournament last year returning.

“Last year, we had a feel of who was where and what was going to happen,” Scott said. “If I had to guess, I would say that Woodgrove is probably the front-runner. They always have a lot of kids in the room, they’ve got the depth, and they have a great coach.

“The duals among local schools are going to be tight every time. It should be really good for the kids to compete in tight matches and get that exciting feeling about wrestling.”

Sherando and Clarke County open their seasons today at the two-day Hedgesville (W.Va.) tournament; Millbrook opens its season today at the two-day Glen Allen tournament; Handley opens it season on Saturday at the Tuscarora Invitational; and James Wood opens its season on Saturday at the Waynesboro Classic.

The following is a glance at each area team:

Handley

Coach: David Scott, 7th season.

Last year: 10th at Group 4A state tournament, tied for 3rd in 4A West Region, Conference 21 West tournament champions.

Key losses: Lio Quezada, Tommy Shea-Roop, Dolan Delaney, Harrison Robinson, Deauntia Green, Tyler Panigua.

Top returners: Cam Bentley, Sr. 138; Jimmy Vitola (22-15 at 182), Sr. 182; Web Bentley (33-15 at 120), So., 132; Jensen Lofton, So., 152; Casey Marchant, Sr. 160; John Delaney, Jr., 145.

Top newcomers: Matt Gordon, Fr., 106; Dean Holloway, Fr., 113; 120 Hector Agustin, Jr., 120.

Scott’s outlook: “I think we’re pretty good from about 106 to 182. We’re struggling at the top. Our depth is not there, so if anything happens, we’re in trouble.

“We’ve got kids like Casey and John who have been waiting their turn to get on the mat, and we’ll see what they can do at the varsity level. Anything above fifth would be a positive for Cam at the state tournament. I’m really excited about Hector. He didn’t finish the season with us last year. He really focused and wrestled all summer. It’s nice to see a kid that walked away for a little bit come back and be really excited about being good.”

Sherando

Coach: Pepper Martin, 23rd season.

Last year: 14th at Group 4A state tournament, 10th in 4A West Region, 2nd in Conference 21 West.

Key losses: Ben Avery, Curtis Guthridge, Mike Duffy, James Platts, Kendall Helsley.

Top returners: John Borst, Sr., 195; Gavin Eanes (24-20 at 106), So., 113; Timmy Dieter (42-16 at 113), So., 120; Anthony Damico (33-19 at 120), Sr., 126; Jacob Stevens (30-8 at 132), Jr. 138; Mikeal Neff (30-20 at 160), Sr., 160; Zack Kales (29-22 at 220), Jr., 220.

Top newcomers (for lineup consideration): Zane Hawkins, So., 106; Jackson Bryant, Jr., 132, Fletcher Clark, So., 132; Eli Campbell, Jr., 132; Quinn McPartland, So., 145; Hunter Reuter, Sr., 145; Tucker Anderson, Jr., 152; Shawn Norris, Jr., 170; Trenten Pangle, Sr., 170; Zach McCarty, Jr., 182; Jose Guevara, Sr., 285.

Martin’s outlook: “I think this team has the potential to develop into a solid dual team. As far as a tournament team, that depends on how some of the guys develop. Five of the guys we have starting for us were either the varsity backup last year or one of our main JV wrestlers. Their development will determine a lot on how successful we are come postseason time. Depth could be a problem in the upper weights if injury or illness hit the team.

“Gavin Eanes at 113 is looking good and has really improved. We lost Jacob Stevens [to injury] just before the conference tournament, and we’re looking for a big jump from him. John Borst has taken Mikeal Neff under his wing, and we think he can be a big surprise. And I think Zach McCarty could have a big year.”

James Wood

Coach: Cory Crenshaw, 1st season.

Last year: 21st at Group 4A state tournament, 9th in 4A West Region, 4th in Conference 21 West.

Key losses: Adam Vadell, Ryan Funkhouser, Hunter Bentley.

Top returners: Aaron Black, Sr., 120; Matt Papastavrou (22-14 at 138), Sr., 145, Bailey Eichelberger (33-15 at 170), Sr., 170.

Top newcomers: Vince Caruso, Fr., 106; Luke Roy, So., 195; Paul Ebersole, Fr., 170.

Crenshaw’s outlook: “I think we have a solid group of lightweights right now, but we’re a little thin in the upper weight classes. Overall, we’re just looking to improve.

“Aaron’s showing a lot of desire right now. We’re working on getting his conditioning up and helping him prepare to wrestle in college. We’re looking for Black, Papastavrou and [Bailey] Eichelberger all to be contenders to at least make the podium at the state tournament.”

Millbrook

Coach: Jeff Holmes, 5th season.

Last year: 19th in 4A West Region, 5th in Conference 21 West.

Key losses: Trae Sine, Isaac Patterson, Elijah Doyle.

Top returners: Chase Canter, Sr., 132; Daniel Vanamburg. So., 145; Edwin Ramirez, Sr. 152; Xever Lemieux, Jr.; 160; Kevin Valyear, Sr., 170; Gabe Neaverth, Sr. 182; Tavon Blowe, Jr., 220.

Top newcomers: Lukas Guerrero, Fr., 138; Cody Glover, Fr., 106; Jonathan Ochoa, Fr., 113.

Holmes’ outlook: “I think we’re a well-balanced team. We don’t necessarily have any world-beaters yet. But we have some guys who have a lot of potential, they just have some proving to do on the mat. If we stay healthy and keep training the way we do, I really think we’ll surprise some people. It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited for a team.

“Xever’s going to be pretty tough this year. He’s been injured the last couple of years, so if he’s healthy I think he’ll step up and surprise some people from what I’ve seen in his training. I can’t say enough good things about Edwin and his leadership. He’s the lone captain at this point. The kids respect him, he works hard, and he really keeps everything organized.”

Clarke County

Coach: Jon VanSice, 16th season.

Last year: Second at Group 2A state tournament, 2A East Region champions, second in Conference 35.

Key losses: Brendan Ciaburri, Jaxon Ottobre, Hunter Fiddler.

Top returners: Bayne Gordon, Sr., 132, Bryan Wallace, Jr., 220, Dawson Parrott, Fr., 120-126; Timmy Stokes, Jr., 145; William Heath, Jr., 152-160; Pete McLean, Jr., 195, Jacob Peace, Jr., 285.

Top newcomers: None mentioned.

VanSice’s outlook: “I think we’re going to be a strong contender for postseason success. All the guys are a year older, a year more experienced, and that much more mature. It’s been a good room so far. I had some football players come out — totally inexperienced guys — but man, you talk about lighting a room up. Holy cow. I’m real excited about them.”

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