2023 Wrestling Preview

When the Region 4D tournament rolls around on Feb. 10 at Orange County High School, the Class 4 Northwestern District wrestling teams won't be as familiar with their competitors as they've been at region tournaments in the past.

The good news is that many of them will no longer either be leaving a significant portion of their wrestlers at home, or have them as spectators in the bleachers.

Handley, James Wood, Millbrook, Sherando and Liberty moved from Region 4C to Region 4D in the new four-year Virginia High School League alignment plan. In Region 4D, all 15 schools will be able to put someone in every weight class at the region tournament. James Wood coordinator of student activities Brian Sullivan believes wrestlers will largely be seeded by winning percentage, and discussions will be held regarding common opponents if certain wrestlers are close to each other in winning percentage.

Previously, only the top four finishers in each weight class at the Class 4 Northwestern District tournament advanced to the Region 4C tournament. Because of the competitive nature of the Northwestern District, that meant some wrestlers who were probably capable of winning matches in the Region 4C tournament would see their seasons end at the district tournament.

Sherando emerged largely intact at the last two district tournaments (13 qualifiers in 2022, 12 in 2023), but the other local schools haven't managed the same representation. Last year, Millbrook had eight qualifiers, James Wood had seven and Handley has six, and the year before James Wood had eight and Handley and Millbrook had seven each.

Sherando (second in Region 4C last year) lost a three-time state champion in Keagan Judd and two other wrestlers who placed in the top six in their respective weight classes at last year's Class 4 tournament. (Judd, last year's Winchester Star Wrestler of the Year, is now at NCAA Division II Newberry College in South Carolina.)

The Warriors still feature a two-time state champion in junior Anthony Lucchiani (53-2 record last year). Lucchiani won at 126 pounds last year, then placed second at 132 pounds at the National High School Coaches Association Sophomore Nationals. Lucchiani will wrestle at 138 this year. Sherando also brings back state qualifiers in seniors Zachary Hayes (32-16 at 138 last year; 144 this year) and Jake Dann (28-11 at 165 this year; back at 165).

The Warriors placed fifth in last year's Class 4 tournament. Orange County placed third last year in Class 4 with 10 state qualifiers — nine of whom were underclassmen — and figure to be in the hunt to win its third straight Region 4D title.

James Wood (third in Region 4C) only had one senior among its 12 starters at last year's district tournament, but the Colonels suffered a couple of unexpected losses due to transfers. Junior Colton Bendure won last year's Class 4 title at 120 pounds but is now attending high school in Ohio. Junior Blake Messick was a state qualifier at 132 but is now in West Virginia.

The Colonels still have three state qualifiers on their roster in junior James Battulga (45-10 in taking fourth at 138 last year; 150 this year); sophomore Max Mooney (41-11, fifth at 106 last year; 120 this year); and Orion Cox (29-26 at 190 last year; 175 this year).

Handley (eighth in Region 4C) no longer has Simon Bishop, last year's 165 state runner-up who placed second in Class 4 and is now at NCAA Division III Case Western Reserve University, where he's 4-2 at 174.

The Judges will have to do without senior Nick Baker for most, if not all, of December due to injury. Baker (49-4) was the state runner-up at 132 last year and will be back at that class this year. Handley also brings back state placewinner Hayden Thompson (junior, 48-13 at 120 last year, sixth in Class 4; 138 this year) and state qualifier Thomas Thorpe, a sophomore who was 44-18 last year at 157 who will wrestle at 175 this season.

Millbrook (ninth in Region 4C) brings back two state qualifiers in senior Julian Cusick (25-19 at 150 last year; back at 150 this year) and junior Ezra Doyle-Naegeli (42-19 at 215 last year; will wrestle at 215 or 285 this year).

Clarke County (fourth in Region 2B, ninth in Class 2 last year) lost last year's Class 2 157-pound state runner-up in Cannon Long, who is now wrestling for NCAA Division III Shenandoah University.

The Eagles bring back a veteran group that includes junior Blake Jacobson, the Region 2B and Bull Run District Wrestler of the Year who placed third at 144 in Class 2 and went 59-6 for the season. He will wrestle at 150 or 157 this season. Clarke County will also bring back two wrestlers who took fifth in Class 2 last year in junior Kolton Vincent (40-24 at 120 last year; 113 or 120 this year) and senior Wyatt Stemberger (48-15 at 126 last year; 138 or 144 this year).

The following is a glance at each area team:

Sherando

Coach: Brian Kibler, sixth season.

Last year: Class 4 Northwestern District champions; second in Region 4C; fifth in Class 4 state.

Key losses: Keagan Judd, Brogan Teter, Tyler Koerner, Peter Richardson, Storm Miller.

Key returnees: Anthony Lucchiani, Jr., 138; Zachary Hayes, Sr., 144; Zane Jenkins, Sr., 157 (31-17 at 175 last year); Jake Dann, Sr., 165; Judson Dean, Jr., 190 (19-13 at 250 last year); Damien Costello, Jr., 106 (18-17 at 106 last year); Kaden Frock, So., 106.

Key newcomers (as potential starters): Brandon Klopp, So., 113; Colby Groce, Fr., 120; Carter Straight, Fr., 126; Cayden Long, Sr., 150; Ben Taylor, Jr., 175; Parker Lattin, Sr., 175; Calden Sommerfeld, So., 175/190/215; Kaden Hurst, Jr., 215; Patrick Sosa, Jr., 285.

Kibler’s outlook: "My expectations are the same as they have always been. We want to continuously improve from practice to practice, week to week, and match to match. If we do that we give ourselves the best chance to compete at the region and state tournaments at the end of year both individually and as a team. We have some returning state qualifiers and a returning state champion from last year's team, so they look great in the early going. What I've been most pleased with is the effort that we give in every practice, in drills, and in live [wrestling]. The guys really wrestle hard.

"Just because there is no district tournament this year doesn't mean we aren't wrestling a full slate of Northwestern District teams just as we have in the past. With that said I expect tight duals and great competition everywhere we go throughout the year. It's my belief that from a district standpoint that the Northwestern District in wrestling has always been the deepest in almost any class, so from that it has always been a dog fight to get our kids to the region tournament. Us going to an 'all-in' region [tournament] I believe benefits all of our schools. Region 4D has some tough wrestling schools in it with all of the Northwestern District schools but also Orange County, Salem and Jefferson Forest, so I expect once again another tough regional tournament come February."

First competition: Friday vs. John Champe, Orange County and Salem.

James Wood

Coach: Cory Crenshaw, eighth season.

Last year: Second in Class 4 Northwestern District; third in Region 4C; 12th in Class 4 state.

Key losses: Colton Bendure (transferred to Ohio); Blake Messick (transferred to West Virginia).

Key returnees: Max Mooney, So., 120; James Battulga, Jr., 150; Orion Cox, Jr., 175.

Key newcomers: Hayden Black, Fr., 106; Cash Keeler, Fr., 113; Hayden Franks, Fr., 138.

Crenshaw’s outlook: "Our biggest goal for this year is for our newcomers to gain experience each time they are on the mat. We are a very young team with a limited number of seniors, and that will allow us to continue developing the lineup throughout the season. Our returning state qualifiers in Max, James and Orion have all been working hard throughout the offseason to prepare. They have worked well with our younger members in practice, and we have seen some changes in those new athletes just by being around them. It is too early to tell what the season is going to hold for them, but ultimately we hope that their work ethic and dedication will inspire the rest of the team to push towards state qualifications.

"Due to the changes that were enforced to scheduling, we tried to balance the types of events that we entered. Unfortunately with the new structure, it looks like we will be wrestling a few teams more than once, so we may adjust the lineup depending on how the season progresses and to make sure we do not approach match limits. In the past it has always been about what needs to be done to get individuals seeded well for the district tournament. In our new structure though, we have some leniency to alter lineups from time to time. In a way, the district is no longer of concern. What is of concern though is that every match truly does count. Since we will not wrestle each team in the region prior to the postseason, each of the teams that we do wrestle will matter significantly in regards to head-to-head for positioning, and overall record may help to separate the rest. We still have a very strong core of district talent moving into the 4D region. Although I am not necessarily a fan of the restructure with how diversely spread our new region is, I think it does create some opportunities for our athletes, so we will have to wait and see how everything plays out in February."

First competition: Saturday at Brentsville Tournament.

Handley

Coach: Troy Mezzatesta, seventh season.

Last year: Seventh in Class 4 Northwestern District; eighth in Region 4C; 13th in Class 4 state.

Key losses: Simon Bishop, Logan Westfall.

Key returnees: Nick Baker, Sr., 132; Hayden Thompson, Jr., 138; Thomas Thorpe, So., 175; Charlie Milam, Sr., 150/157 (24-21 at 150 last year); Alex Sardelis, So., 106; Ezekiel Diaz, So., 165; Enrique Aguilar, Jr., 285; Frank D'Alessio, So., 190; Paige Miller-Long, Jr., 113/120; Raimel Almanzar, Sr., 175/190.

Key newcomers: Juan Garcia, Fr., 120/126; Luke Comer, Fr., 120/126; Jace Culotta, Fr., 120/126; Khemar Pollard, So., 285; Cooper Phillips, So., 165/175; Daniyshar Osmani, Sr., 144/150; Carlos Romero, So., 165/175.

Mezzatesta’s outlook: "We hope to get better as the season moves forward. We are very young overall, but, in a few spots we are returning kids that got valuable experience last year. If we can get better each week and stay healthy the team ought to be able to have a solid season. Nick Baker will return to the lineup and once he gets healthy we look for him to continue his winning ways. Hayden Thompson has grown and continues to get taller and stronger and a rigorous offseason will see him vying for a third run at the state tournament. Thomas Thorpe will return to the lineup after an active offseason and successful football year. Charlie Milam is a senior that returns to the lineup, has worked hard and leads the team in practice daily.

"We're young but if we can get better each week and stay healthy we can make a nice splash in the postseason. The teams in the new region have generally been pretty successful with very athletic kids throughout the years. They're usually pretty solid football schools as well, so they usually have some pretty explosive kids. As far as the new format I hope the added duals, tris and quads make it more fan-friendly, so that the full-day commitment to attend an event is alleviated and a match will only last two to four hours."

First competition: Wednesday at Millbrook tri (also vs. Riverside).

Millbrook

Coach: Jeff Holmes, 12th season.

Last year: Sixth in Class 4 Northwestern District; ninth in Region 4C; 32nd in Class 4 state.

Key losses: Jason Coleman, Jett Helmut, Isaac Churchill.

Key returnees: Landon Jones, So., 106 (20-13 at 106 last year); Caden Cruz, Jr., 120 (28-20 at 113 last year); Alex Stubblefield, So., 132 (30-9 at 126 last year); Julian Cusick, Sr., 150; Fernando Martinez, Sr., 144 (14-11 at 144 last year); Tyler Kinsey, So., 165/175; Ezra Doyle-Naegeli, Jr., 215/285; Felipe Gesswein, So., 285.

Key newcomers: Kenny Spaulding, Fr., 113; David Rackmales, Fr., 126/132; Bryan Gomez, So., 138/144; Lane William, Fr., 157/165; William Potter, Fr., 175/190; Mason Eaton, Jr., 190/215.

Holmes’ outlook: "We have high hopes for our team this year, much more than in recent years. Many of our wrestlers have been putting in extra time during the offseason and preseason, and it's already showing in the early stages of our current training. This year's team is the largest we've had in terms of number of athletes in several years, and we have an excellent group of young talents joining our returning veterans. Our main challenge has been having to forfeit three to four weight classes, but that won't be a problem this year. Our coaching staff is highly motivated, and the energy in our wrestling room is at an all-time high. Everyone involved is excited and ready to see what this season will bring, and I'm personally confident that we'll make a significant impact.

"I think all of the guys that have been putting in the work in the offseason and preseason are showing significant improvements. We have guys who have only been wrestling a few months and have been making leaps and bounds in their training and technique. It is really refreshing when you see those kinds of improvements so quickly. I think the guys who are really looking to prove themselves this upcoming year would be Landon Jones, Caden Cruz, Alex Stubblefield, Fernando Martinez, Julian Cusick, Tyler Kinsey and Ezra. Those are the guys we will be leaning on to win big matches and provide strong leadership. We are preparing to wrestle at the highest level we are capable of. I'm confident in the team we will be putting out there on the mat each and every week. I try not to predict where we will fall in the district or region. There's a lot of great teams in the area that are well-coached. My goal is to focus on the present and what we can control then take it one match at a time. As long as we work hard and prepare ourselves effectively we will be where we need to be at the end of the season. We prepare ourselves to be the best that we can be regardless of the format."

First competition: Wednesday vs. Handley, Riverside.

Clarke County

Coach: Jon VanSice, 24th season.

Last year: Third in Bull Run District; fourth in Region 2B; ninth in Class 2 state.

Key loss: Cannon Long.

Key returnees: Blake Jacobson, Jr., 150/157; Wyatt Stemberger, Sr., 138/144; Kolton Vincent, Jr., 113/120; Raul Villela-Soto, So., 150/157 (29-21 at 150 last year); Camden McCarty, So., 165/175 (34-23 at 165 last year); Landon Roper, Sr., 132/138 (27-23 at 132 in 2021-22).

Key newcomers: None mentioned.

VanSice’s outlook: "We have a solid core of returners with numerous experienced freshmen to fill in the rest of the weights. We will have some ups and downs early as the newcomers adjust to the high school level. A rigorous early-season schedule will hopefully help them be prepared for our district competition and end-of-season tourneys."

First competition: Friday and Saturday at Hedgesville (W.Va.) Tournament.

— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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