Area wrestlers off to strong start at 4A state meet

Star Staff Report

SALEM — Sherando’s Timmy Dieter and Zack Kales, Handley’s Cam Bentley, Millbrook’s Edwin Ramirez and Kevin Valyear and James Wood’s Bailey Eichelberger each recorded falls in picking up first-round victories at the VHSL 4A Wrestling Tournament on Thursday at the Salem Civic Center.

Dieter (120) pinned Powhatan’s Ian Oliver in 1:24. Dieter (50-9) next will face Andrew Nazarro (26-12) of Eastern View.

Bentley (138) hooked up a third-period pin against Eastern View’s Tyler Jones in 4:48. Bentley (39-7) will face Monacan’s Ethan Carpenter (28-14) in the next round.

Also at 138, Sherando’s Jacob Stevens advanced with a 9-5 decision over Midlothian’s Eric Hogge. Stevens (59-5) next will battle Liberty Christian’s Justin Phillips (38-4).

Ramirez (152) decked Louisa County’s Jeremiah Grimsley at 3:05 in the second period. Ramirez (46-12) next faces Great Bridge’s Kyle Caravan (44-7).

Valyear (160) needed just 55 seconds to pin Chancellor’s Bailey Yelton. Valyear (45-5) next will meet Great Bridge’s Nicholas Basnight (29-20).

Eichelberger (170) took Deep Creek’s Tyler Christoffer to his back at 3:29 of the second period. Eichelberger (39-6) will next face Grafton’s Luke Armstrong (36-8).

Kales (220) pinned King’s Fork’s Myles Copeland 20 seconds into the second period. Kales (40-18) will battle Dinwiddie’s Omar Tyson (34-1) today.

Handley’s Mac Gordon (113) and Jimmy Vitola (182), James Wood’s Aaron Black (120), Millbrook’s Brandon Bye (126) and Tavon Blowe (285) and Sherando’s John Borst (195) each received first-round byes.

Gordon (39-8) tackles Smithfield’s Mason Parker (36-6). Former state champ Black (30-1) will face Carroll County’s Brennan Vaught (30-10). Bye (41-14) takes on Rock Ridge’s Adam Cerow (35-12).

In the upper weights, Vitola (36-10) matches up against Dinwiddie’s Logan Miller (36-4), three-time state champ Borst (59-1) battles Fauquier’s Jackson McEachin (29-15) and Blowe (53-8) meets Dinwiddie’s Brandon Harris (28-1).

Three area wrestlers fell into the consolation bracket on Thursday. Millbrook’s Jonathan Ochoa (17-3 loss at 113 to Powhatan’s Elijah Jordan) and Gabe Neaverth (fall to Miller at 182) and Sherando’s Jose Guevera (3-0 decision to Harris at 285) are one loss from elimination.

The 2A event begins today with five wrestlers from Clarke County among the final eight in each weight class.

At 106, Jack Smith (45-19) faces Glenvar’s Timmy Speight (15-9). At 132, three-time state champion Bayne Gordon (52-3) battles Central’s Richard Owens (36-10). At 160, William Heath (44-6) takes on Chatham’s Aaron Martin (3-2). At 195, Pete McLean (31-24) battles Grantham’s Alex Hicks (38-1). At 220, two-time state champion Bryan Wallace (60-1) faces James River’s Levi Walker (28-20).