Seven local wrestlers advance to Class 4 semis

IRGINIA BEACH — Seven local wrestlers will compete in the championship semifinals after winning two matches each at the Class 4 state tournament on Friday at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.

The semifinals will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. The seven semifinalists are part of a group of 12 local wrestlers who are still alive in the tournament. All of them are guaranteed to finish in the top six of their respective weight classes and earn All-State status. The finals start at 4:30 p.m.

In the team standings, Sherando is sixth with 54 points, Millbrook is 13th with 32, Handley is 14th with 31.5, and James Wood is 18th out of 45 teams with 28. 

Two-time state champion Anthony Lucchiani headlines the semifinalists. The junior won both his matches by fall in the first period at 138 pounds. Fellow junior Hayden Thompson of Handley advanced to the semifinals on the other half of the 138 bracket.  

Other semifinalists are Sherando's Jake Dann (one fall at 165); Handley's Thomas Thorpe (one fall at 175); James Wood's Max Mooney (120) and James Battulga (two falls at 150); and Millbrook's Ezra Doyle-Naegeli (two falls at 285).

Wrestlers who are still alive in the consolation bracket are Sherando's Carter Straight (3-1 with two falls at 126) and Zachary Hayes (3-1 with two falls at 144); Millbrook's William Potter (3-1 with three falls at 175); Handley's Jace Culotta (3-1 with a fall and tech fall at 113); and James Wood's Hayden Black (3-1 with a fall and major decision).  

Other wrestlers: 

Sherando: Judson Dean (190, 2-2, 1 fall); Kaden Frock (106, 1-2, 1 fall); Zane Jenkins (157, 1-2, 1 major decision); Calden Sommerfield (215, 1-2); Damien Costello (113, 0-2). 

Millbrook: Alex Stubblefield (132, 1-2, 1 fall); Julian Cusick (150, 1-2, 1 major decision); Tyler Kinsey (165, 1-2); Caden Cruz (120, 0-2).  

Handley: Nick Baker (132, 1-2, 1 fall, lost matches by injury default and medical forfeit); Charlie Milam (150, 0-2).

James Wood: Seth Merryman (132, 0-2); Hayden Franks (138, 0-2); Sean Hodel (150, 0-2).