Wrestling preview: Local teams aim to catch up to Sherando

The Sherando High School wrestling team has been the cream of the crop among area schools, and the Warriors show no signs of slowing down.

Between winning last year’s Region 4D title, having nine state qualifiers and placing second in the Northwestern District, the Warriors had another successful campaign last season that has given the other schools a target to chase this winter. That chase will begin on Wednesday when the wrestling season commences.

Along with the team accomplishments, Sherando also had the area’s only state champion in now-senior Anthony Lucchiani, who finished 44-6 and won The Winchester Star Wrestler of the Year award last season for the second time in his career. Sophomore Carter Straight (32-12) is back after placing sixth in Class 4 at 126 last year.

As Lucchiani looks to win his fourth state title in as many years, the rest of the local teams will try to match the Warriors’ prestige.

After tying for 11th place in the state tournament last season, James Wood returns six wrestlers who have state experience, including junior Max Mooney (second at 120, 36-4) sophomore Hayden Black (third at 106, 35-5) senior Seth Merryman (24-19 at 132), junior Sean Hodel (26-17 at 144) and sophomore Hayden Franks last year. The Colonels did lose James Battulga (33-6), who transferred to Handley after finishing second at states at 150 pounds.

Along with bringing in Battulga, the Judges also return three state place winners from last season’s team in senior Hayden Thompson (fourth at 138, 46-6), junior Thomas Thorpe (second at 175, 47-4) and sophomore Jace Culotta (33-5, fifth at 113).

Millbrook returns four state qualifiers from last season, including William Potter (32-8 at 175) and Ezra Doyle-Naegeli (41-10 at 285), who placed third and fourth, respectively, at the Class 4 state meet last February.

In the Bull Run District, Clarke County has a first-year coach at the helm in Logan Withers. Withers is taking over for Jon VanSice, who stepped down in March after coaching the Eagles for 24 seasons.

Withers will look to develop a roster that has just one senior in Kolton Vincent (34-15 at 120), who is the only returning state qualifier from last season, and four juniors. Vincent placed fifth in Class 2 last year. Nine wrestlers on the 14-person roster are underclassmen.

The Eagles will be without one of their top wrestlers from last year’s team in Blake Jacobson, who transferred to another school after earning a bronze medal at the Class 2 tournament.

Regardless of the talent and potential of each team’s roster, every program will have to adjust to a new scoring change.

In April, the National Federation of State High School Associations changed scoring rules so that takedowns are worth three points instead of two.

Near-fall points are also now based on how many seconds in which the near-fall criteria are met. Each second equates to one point. An offensive wrestler earns two points for two seconds, three points for three second and four points for four seconds.

The NFHS says the rationale behind the rule change is to incentivize wrestlers to work for a fall.

The local coaches have indicated that they are in favor of the rule change. One coach said it will reward wrestlers who “push the pace.” Another coach said it “can only be a positive for the sport,” as it in encourages wrestlers playing to their offensive strengths.

The following is a look at each team:

Sherando

Coach: Brian Kibler, seventh season

Last year: Second in Northwestern District; first in Region 4D; sixth in Class 4 state.

Key losses: Zachary Hayes, Zane Jenkins, Jake Dann.

Key returners: Kaden Frock, Jr., 106; Damien Costello, Sr., 120; Colby Groce, So., 126/132; Carter Straight, So., 144; Nick McDaniel, Jr., 120; Anthony Lucchiani, Sr., 138; Ben Taylor, Sr., 175; Judson Dean, Sr., 190/215; Calden Sommerfeld, Jr., 215; Kaden Hurst, Sr., 285.

Key newcomers: Blake Kelly, Fr., 106; Isaiah Smith, So., 113; Lucas Bauer, So., 126; Braeden Estep, Sr., 157; Caleb Point, Jr., 165; Jason Foster, Sr., 190.

Kibler’s outlook: “Expectations are the same as every year. Get better from day to day and week to week. Take full advantage of every opportunity we have to compete against other teams. If we do that, I think that we can be competitive in our region. Our region, I believe, is one of the most tightly contested amongst all the other regions, and I don’t think that has changed. Taking advantage of every opportunity whether practice or competition will be key.

“With our football players still in season, we haven’t seen a lot of our guys in the room to this point. Anthony has gotten work in over the summer and looks to have another strong year. I know that Carter Straight has put a lot of work into the weight room and the wrestling room over the summer. Lucas Bauer seems to have improved over the summer/fall, as well.”

First matches: Saturday at Orange County

James Wood

Coach: Cory Crenshaw, ninth season.

Last year: Seventh in Northwestern District; third in Region 4D; tied for 11th in Class 4 state.

Key losses: James Battulga (transferred to Handley).

Key returners: Hayden Black, So., 106-113; Max Mooney, Jr., 126-132; Seth Merryman, Sr., 132-138; Hayden Franks, So., 138-144; Sean Hodel, Jr., 150-157; Orion Cox, Sr., 215.

Key newcomers: None listed.

Crenshaw’s outlook: “Looking at the start of the season, we are fortunate to have many athletes with varsity experience returning to the lineup. We will be leaning on that experience to develop our younger athletes to see who will fill out our starting roster. Six athletes have state experience at this point in their careers, and there are several others that have the potential to be there in February. Hopefully, we can stay healthy and push each other along to have the chance to put a few new names along with our returners into the state tournament.

“I do not see much change happening within the region as far as who is at the top. Last year, all of the area schools represented well at the regional level, and I expect much of the same this year. We finished third, with Handley and Millbrook close behind; there is still some catching up to do in order to close the gap to Sherando. Nothing is out of the question, but it will take a full team effort to close the points gap.”

First matches: Wednesday at Eastern View High School

Handley

Coach: Troy Mezzatesta, eighth season.

Last year: Ninth in Northwestern District; fourth in Region 4D; 14th in Class 4 state.

Key losses: Nick Baker, Charlie Milam

Key returners: Jace Culotta, So., 126; Hayden Thompson, Sr., 144/150; Thomas Thorpe, Jr., 165/175; Alex Sardelis, Jr., 113; Juan Garcia, So., 120; Duncan Hensler, So., 138/144; Enrique Aguilar-Chavez, Sr., 285; Danishyar Osmani, Sr., 165/175; Owen Jett, Sr., 215; Macy Dellinger, Jr., 132.

Key newcomers: James Battugla, Sr., 157 (James Wood transfer); Carson Otto, Jr., 144/150 (Wisconsin transfer); Oscar Augustin, Santiago, Fr., 120; James Keller, Fr., 132/138; Michael Carlson, So., 132/138; Johnavan Clarke, Fr., 120; Jacob Greene, Fr., 106; Ahmad Osmani, Fr., 106; Saber Valizadah, So., 190.

Mezzatesta’s outlook: “We should remain competitive overall, but we’ll look to gain some experience in several weight classes and get stronger as the season progresses. We’ve had a great turnout for the team this year, so that’s exciting, and we are looking forward to seeing how several others develop as they continue working each week.”

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

Millbrook

Coach: Jeffrey Holmes, 13th season.

Last year: Sixth in Northwestern District; fifth in Region 4D; 15th in Class 4 state.

Key losses: Julian Cusick

Key returners: Landon Jones, Jr., 113; Kenny Spaulding, So., 126; David Rackmales, So., 132; Bryan Gomez, Jr. 138; Alex Stubblefield, Jr., 144; Raymond Hollenbach, Jr., 150; Lane Williams, So., 165; Tyler Kinsey, Jr., 165; Asa Doyle-Naegeli, So., 175; William Potter, So., 190; Ezra Doyle-Naegeli, Sr., 285.

Key newcomers: Braylon Blowe, 138; Asher Cadang, 157; Dalton Gray, 132; Finn Hepner, 138; Parker Macoff, 106; Hayden Singhas-Mcdonald, 138.

Holmes’ outlook: “I think we are all setting high goals and expectations for the team this year. We graduated one senior last year. Although we are still young, we have a lot of experienced wrestlers in our lineup. We had a lot of guys put in the work in the offseason that are hoping to make a big impact within the region and state competition. Our hope is we stay healthy and progress throughout the year and compete at the highest level we are capable of.”

First matches: Saturday at Independence

Clarke County

Coach: Logan Withers, first season

Last year: Tied for fourth in Bull Run District; sixth in Region 2B; 15th in Class 2 states.

Key losses: Blake Jacobson

Key returners: Kolton Vincent, Sr., 120; Raul Villela-Soto, Jr., (175 last year); Camden McCarty, Jr., (165 last year).

Key newcomers: Matthew Mayr, Fr., 126-132.

Withers’ outlook: “My expectations, rather my goals for this season, are the same as any other season. I want to see kids improve their skills on the mat, help them understand the value that sports add to their life, be good teammates, and ultimately help them be upstanding people to the best of my ability.”

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

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