Wrestling preview: James Wood looks to build off strong season

By ROBERT NIEDZWIECKI The Winchester Star

In a rarity, the area wrestling scene will not feature any returning individual state champions this year.

But there will be plenty of local talent on the mats looking to reach the top of the podium at the state tournaments in February. Class 2 will continue to be held at the Salem Civic Center on Feb. 15 and 16. The Class 4 state tournament is being moved from Churchland High School in Portsmouth (220 miles from Winchester) to Riverside High School in Leesburg for the first day (40 miles away) and Robinson High School in Fairfax for the second day (65 miles away).

In the Class 4 Northwestern District, the feeling is that defending champion Fauquier (first in district, second in region and state) and Liberty (second in district, first in region, third in state) will continue to be the teams to beat until proven otherwise. The Falcons return nine starters from last year, while Liberty brings back six.

James Wood took third behind those teams at both the Class 4 Northwestern District meet and the Region 4C meet. The Colonels bring back nine starters from last year’s team, including four of their five state qualifiers.

Those who competed in the state competition in Portsmouth last year are senior Luke Roy, who is back at 195 pounds after placing sixth in that weight class last year; senior Joshua Arce (120 last year, 126 this year), sophomore Joey Vitola (moving up from 138 to 152) and junior 113-pounder Vince Caruso.

“I think we’re going to be as competitive as we were last year as far as the area goes,” said James Wood Cory Crenshaw, whose team swept its dual matches against Sherando, Handley and Millbrook last year. “We will have to wait and see about Fauquier and Liberty when we see them for them duals. They lost a few seniors, so hopefully that kind of puts us close to them this year.”

The Pioneers lost heavyweight state champion Tavon Blowe, but Millbrook brings back five starters and three state qualifiers from last year. Junior Jonathan Ochoa, who returns at 113 pounds after placing sixth in Class 4 last year, senior Daniel VanAmburg (145 last year, moving up to 152 this year) and Lukas Guerrero (back at 138 this year) are Millbrook’s returning state qualifiers.

“Daniel’s our captain and our leader, and I expect big things from him,” Millbrook coach Jeff Holmes said. “Jonathan’s a two-time state qualifier now, and he’s been working really hard in the room. Lukas was one match away from placing at states last year. And Jose Ramirez didn’t qualify for states, but he’s been putting in the time in the offseason and he should do pretty well this season.”

Sherando brings back five starters, including two state qualifiers in senior Timmy Dieter (back at 132) and sophomore Heath Rudolph (moving from 126 to 138).

Dieter lost to Collin Gerardi of Powhatan — a four-time state champion — in the state tournament quarterfinals at 132 last year but wrestled back to take third. Gerardi and Fauquier state runner-up Kyle Budd — a wrestler Dieter beat in the regular season before losing to him in the Class 4 Northwestern and Region 4C finals — have both graduated. Regardless of the other wrestlers who might move into the 132 class, Dieter should still be a threat to win a state title.

“That’s the goal,” said Sherando coach Brian Kibler, who takes over for 25-year head coach Pepper Martin after serving as Martin’s assistant for the past 10 seasons. “I’d by lying to you if I didn’t say anything to you other than that. I think that’s his goal. That’s what he’s put all his work and effort into throughout the offseason and really all four years. We’re hoping that’s a culminating point for him down the road in February.”

In senior Web Bentley (third in Class 4 at 138 pounds last year, back at 138), junior Mac Gordon (fifth at 113 pounds in 2016-17, 126 this year) and senior 152-pounder Ethan Bishop, Handley boasts a trio that will be tough for any team to match at any given meet. Handley coach Troy Mezzatesta said Bishop was ahead of James Wood Region 4C champion Aaron Curd at in the Class 4 Northwestern District championship match last year, but he suffered an injury during his defeat and wasn’t able to compete at regionals.

“[Mac] wrestled some really good matches in our scrimmage on Friday,” said Mezzatesta, who brings back 10 starters. “I think physically, he feels great. Every day he’s gotten more comfortable. I think he’s gotten stronger. He used the time he was out to work on his upper body.”

Clarke County graduated a ton of talent from last year, including four-time state champion and Virginia High School League all-time wins leader Bryan Wallace (heavyweight state champion last year, now playing football at Charlotte) and fellow state champions William Heath (160 pounds, now wrestling collegiately at The Apprentice School) and Timmy Stokes (152 pounds).

Despite that, Clarke County 18th-year head coach Jon VanSice likes what he sees from his team, which he believes will be able to fill all 14 positions this year. This year’s team is led by seniors Jack Smith (fifth in the state at 120 pounds last year, possibly moving up to 126 this year) and Emmett Maiberger (state qualifier at 145 last year, 152 this year).

“It reminds me of the team we had when I first started,” VanSice said. “We had a lot young guys, athletic. Good kids. It’s not a bad thing not having experience sometimes, because sometimes experience means bad habits. These guys don’t have a lot of bad habits, and they’re picking things up the way we want them to pick things up.”

Strasburg figures to again be Clarke County’s main competition locally. The Rams won the Bull Run District and took second at the Region 2B tournament to place ahead of the Eagles, but took sixth at the Class 2 state tournament to finish three spots behind Clarke County. Eight of Strasburg’s 10 region qualifiers last year were underclassmen, but VanSice said the Rams might not be able to fill all the weight classes like his team.

The following is a glance at each area team:

James Wood

Coach: Cory Crenshaw, third season.

Last year: Tied for 26th in Class 4 state tournament, 3rd in Region 4C, 3rd in Class 4 Northwestern District.

Key losses: Aaron Curd, Corey Lemons, Jack Youngblood.

Key returnees: Vince Caruso, Jr., 113 (21-19 at 113 last year); Josiah Geaslen, Jr., 120 (30-11 at 106); Joshua Arce, Sr., 126 (32-13 at 120); Joey Vitola, So., 152 (31-14 at 138); Sam Adkins, Jr., 160 (25-12 at 145); Walker Powell, Sr., 170; Jared King, Sr., 182 (20-16 at 182); Luke Roy, Sr., 195 (28-14 at 195); Brayden Patterson-Campbell, Jr., 285 (17-14 at 285).

Key newcomers: Braden Sitton, Fr., 106; Aidan Barton, So., 120; Chris Nuss, So., 132; Dean Ritter, So., 138; Matt Alderman, Jr., 145; Blake Sandy, Jr., 145; Daniel Martin, Fr., 220.

Crenshaw’s outlook: “As a group, we will look to build off of last season’s successes, while striving to be a very solid and consistent group throughout the lineup. I expect that our returners will set a good standard for all of the new athletes in the room. Four of our five state qualifiers are returning, but there are several new faces in the starting lineup.

“Last year the team did a very good job of taking advantage of their opportunities, and they will need to continue to do so this year if we are going to keep improving. Early in the season it is tough to judge what we will be up against, but hopefully we can replicate and improve the number of qualifiers for regional and state. Luke is back at the same weight class as he was last year. Hopefully we have some of the same results. The main thing with him is having him healthy throughout the season so he can have the opportunity to do what he did last year at states.”

First competition: Saturday at Warren County Duals. 10 a.m.

Millbrook

Coach: Jeff Holmes, seventh season.

Last year: 14th in Class 4 state tournament, 6th in Region 4C, 4th in Class 4 Northwestern District.

Key loss: Tavon Blowe.

Key returnees: Daniel VanAmburg, Sr., 152 (24-15 at 145 last year); Jonathan Ochoa, Jr., 113 (36-15 at 113); Lukas Guerrero, Jr., 138 (31-20 at 138); Jose Ramirez, Jr., 132 (26-19 at 120); Cody Glover, Jr., 113 (20-20 at 106).

Key newcomers: None mentioned.

Holmes’ outlook: “I have a pretty positive outlook. We should be tough. We need some guys to step up who may have struggled a little bit last year or wrestled at the JV level. [Stepping up] is what it’s all about. We only have one senior, but we have a good corps of juniors [seven total]. If those upperclassmen do what they’re capable of, I think we should have a pretty good season.”

First competition: Blue Devil Invitational on Friday (5:30 p.m.) and Saturday (9 a.m.) at Fork Union Military Academy.

Sherando

Coach: Brian Kibler, first season.

Last year: 15th in Class 4 state tournament, 8th in Region 4C, 5th in Class 4 Northwestern District.

Key losses: Jackson Bryant, Tucker Anderson, Zach McCarty, Zack Kales.

Key returnees: Timmy Dieter, Sr., 132 (50-8 at 132 last year); Heath Rudolph, So., 138 (39-18 at 126); Gavin Eanes, Sr., 145 (29-20 at 120); Quinn McPartland, Sr., 145-152; (29-21 at 152); DeShawn Lee, So., 285.

Key newcomers: Michael Gause, Fr., 106; Isaiah Holloway, Fr., 113; Jacob Doolan, Sr., 120; Peter Flores, Jr., 160; Avery Johnson, Sr., 152-160; Colton Foltz, Jr., 160-170; Brian Jimenez, Jr., 170-182; Saxton Garver, So., 170-182; Joel Santmier, Sr., 195-220; Keith Gouveia, So., 285.

Kibler’s outlook: “Heath Rudolph had a good offseason throughout the spring and summer. We’ve got a lot of experienced guys but we’ve also a couple inexperienced guys who haven’t been on the mat. Time will tell if we’ll have some guys who surprise some people. I think we have multiple guys who if things hit right, and the kids work the way they should, could have some really good years for us.”

First competition: Hedgesville (W.Va.) Tournament on Friday (noon) and Saturday (9 a.m.)

Handley

Coach: Troy Mezzatesta, second season.

Last year: Tied for 26th in Class 4 state tournament, 11th in Region 4C, 6th in Class 4 Northwestern District.

Key losses: John Delaney, Tyler Heglas.

Key returnees: Aiden Shea-Roop, So., 113; Dean Holloway, Sr., 132; Mac Gordon, Jr., 126 (42-10 at 113 in 2016-17 season); Web Bentley, Sr., 138 (46-6 at 138 last year); Hunter Thompson, Jr., 145 (26-16 at 126); Ethan Bishop, Sr., 152 (28-7 at 152); Landen Kremer, Sr., 160-170 (26-16 at 170); Justin Menjivar, So., 182; Tommy Downey, Sr., 195 (20-17 at 195); Nate Carter, Sr., 285.

Key newcomers: Cam Gordon, Fr., 106; RaeQuan Wilson, Jr., 220.

Mezzatesta’s outlook: “Hunter Thompson was one of our most improved wrestlers last year. Little Cam [Mac Gordon’s younger brother] should be good based on how his wrestling. Aiden Shea-Roop with a full year of varsity, he’s looked good, too. Landen Kremer I thought last year was pound-for-pound one of the toughest kids that you can wrestle. He’s just a strong, competitive kid that if you’re not on your game, he can find a way to put you on your back. I think Tommy Downey can make a little bit of noise here and there. He made it to regions last year, and he’s talking about making it to states. RaeQuan’s really athletic. Nate Carter should be really improved at heavyweight. I think we should we a fairly competitive team. I’m excited about it.”

First competition: Handley at Tuscarora Invitational, Saturday, 10 a.m.

Clarke County

Coach: Jon VanSice, 18th season.

Last year: Third in Class 2 state tournament, 3rd in Region 2B, 2nd in district.

Key losses: Bryan Wallace, William Heath, Timmy Stokes, Pete McLean.

Key returnees: Jack Smith, Sr., 126 (47-19 at 120 last year); Emmett Maiberger, Sr. 152 (26-20 at 145).

Key newcomer: Dawson Parrott, Sr., 126-132 (20-16 at 126 in 2016-17, state runner-up at 120 in 2015-16).

VanSice’s outlook: “We have a young, inexperienced team, but they work and they’re picking it up fairly well. We’re going to take some lumps early in the season. But as the season progresses, if these guys keep working like they are, I think we can make some noise near the end of the year and into the postseason. I think Jack has set the foundation for success for himself with the way that he prepared in the offseason.”

First competition: Saturday at Loudoun County Tournament, 9:30 a.m.

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