A longstanding drought came to an end when James Wood wrestling captured its first region championship since 2007 last season by capturing Region 4D.
The Colonels overcame fierce competition from their local rivals to take the regional crown before going on to finish sixth in the Class 4 state tournament. They’re set to return seven of their 10 state qualifiers from last season, including junior Hayden Black, who’ll move up to 113 or 120 pounds after winning the state title and posting a 50-1 overall record at 106 last season.
State medalists Max Mooney (19-2 at 132) and Jesse Woodson (35-9 at 157) will also return for head coach Cory Crenshaw, who’s coming off the third Winchester Star Wrestling Coach of the Year selection of his career.
By winning the region title, the Colonels knocked 2024 Region 4D champion Sherando out of pole position. Despite this step back, the Warriors were still quite successful in 2024-25, finishing third in the region and seventh at states.
Sherando could face increased adversity this season after losing five of its eight state qualifiers, including four-time state champion and three-time Winchester Star Wrestler of the Year Anthony Lucchiani, now wrestling at NCAA Division I George Mason. The Warriors also have a new head coach in former assistant Jim Straight, who was elevated following the departure of Brian Kibler.
The team will now rely on returning state medalist Carter Straight (fourth place, 22-11 record at 144) and state qualifiers Lucas Bauer (27-17 at 126) and Kaden Frock (14-7 at 106) to lead its lineup. Bauer will move up to the 144/150/157 class going forward.
Following its 12th-place finish at states, Millbrook is looking to give the Colonels and Warriors a run for their money this winter. The Pioneers retained three of their four state qualifiers from last season, with Ezra Doyle-Naegeli being the only one not returning after placing second at 285 during his senior season.
Led by state medalists junior Will Potter (second place, 40-4 at 190) and senior Tyler Kinsey (fourth place, 14-5 at 165), and fellow state qualifier and senior Bryan Gomez (38-12 at 132), Millbrook will roster 12 returning wrestlers this season and look to parlay its continuity into increased success.
Handley will also be looking to take a step forward after an eighth-place finish in Region 4D last season. Although the Judges lost state medalists James Battulga (second place at 157) and Hayden Thompson (fifth at 144), they still have 2025 state qualifier Carson Otto and 2024 state qualifiers Thomas Thorpe and Jace Culotta.
Culotta, a junior, missed last year’s region tournament due to illness, while Thorpe didn’t compete due to a knee injury. Otto (41-12 at 150) and Thorpe (30-4 at 175) are coming off All-Area First Team selections, while Culotta (34-5 at 126) was named to the Second Team last season.
Over in the Bull Run District, Clarke County is focused on continuing to improve in its second season under head coach Logan Withers. Last season, the Eagles finished eighth in Region 2B and placed 21st at Class 2 states.
Though they lost 120-pounder Kolton Vincent, a three-time state medalist and a 2025 region champion, to graduation, they retained two state medalists in senior Camden McCarty (sixth place, 25-15 at 165) and sophomore Matthew Mayr (sixth place, 35-15 at 132). Mayr was a First Team All-Area selection as a freshman, while McCarty was named to the Second Team in 2024-25.
Before the season kicks into full swing, here’s a closer look at the lineups and expectations for all five area teams.
James Wood
Coach: Cory Crenshaw, 10th season.
Last season: Region 4D champion; sixth in Class 4 state.
Key losses: Orion Cox, Aiden Henry, Seth Merryman, Blake Tidwell.
Key returnees: Hayden Black (Jr., 113-120), Isaiah Hodel (So., 120-126), Cash Keeler (Jr., 132-138), Max Mooney (Sr., 138-144), Hayden Franks (Jr., 138-144), Austin Noble (Jr., 150-157), Sean Hodel (Sr., 157-165), Jesse Woodson (Jr., 175).
Key newcomers: Owen Bond (Fr., 106-113), William Riley (So., 157-165), Cade Bailey (Fr., 215-285).
Crenshaw’s outlook: “To start the season, we are fortunate to have many athletes with varsity experience returning to the lineup. Seven athletes will be returning with state experience, and there are several others that have the potential to be there in February. We have a very positive outlook for the season, and we are hopeful that we continue to build upon our success from last year.
“After winning our first regional title since 2007, we are hopeful that we can put ourselves in a position to repeat. Last year, all of the area schools represented well at the regional level, and I expect much of the same this year. Everyone is going to have strengths and weaknesses, and it could come down to individual matchups that make the difference. For now, we plan to stay with our normal approach and focus on being the best we can from top to bottom in the lineup.”
First event: Wednesday at Spotsylvania High School (tri).
Sherando
Coach: Jim Straight, first season.
Last season: Third in Region 4D; seventh in Class 4 state.
Key losses: Anthony Lucciani, Damien Costello, Ben Taylor, Jason Foster, Judson Dean.
Key returnees: Lucas Bauer (Jr., 144/150/157), Kaden Frock (Sr., 106), Carter Straight (Jr., 144/150/157), Isaiah Smith (Jr., 120/126), Arya Rawat (Sr., 132/138), Colby Groce (Jr., 138/144), Nathan Morgan (So., 144/150/157), Connor Orth (Jr., 157/165).
Key newcomers: Tryndon Boswell (Fr., 113), TJ Guthridge (Fr., 132/138).
Straight’s outlook: “Expectations are high, as is always the standard set by the previous coaches at Sherando. We will continue to battle throughout the season with the goal to surprise some teams come regionals. All the area teams are going to be strong. We are just trying to hold our own and represent ourselves, our school and our community with relentless effort.
“Last year’s team will be hard to replace with graduating half of our starting lineup, but with those vacancies comes a ton of opportunities for the current team. Our main goal this season is to improve on our strength and aggressiveness. Those factors, along with effort and coachability, will position our wrestlers to have success when it matters most.”
First event: Saturday at Central High School (tournament).
Millbrook
Coach: Jeff Holmes, 14th season.
Last season: Fourth in Region 4D; 12th in Class 4 state.
Key losses: Ezra Doyle-Naegeli
Key returnees: Landon Jones (Sr., 106), Kenny Spaulding (Jr., 126), Bryan Gomez (Sr., 132), David Rackamales (Jr., 138), Alex Stubblefield (Sr., 144), Finn Hepner (So., 152), Lane Williams (Jr., 165/175), Asa Doyle (Jr., 165/175), Tyler Kinsey (Sr., 175), Will Potter (Jr., 190), Will Aird (Jr., 215), Felipe Gesswein (Sr., 285).
Key newcomers: Tanner Wilburn (So., 106), Kieran McAlvey (Fr., 120), Nick Anderson (Fr., 157/165), Bradden Silver (Fr., 175).
Holmes’ outlook: “The expectations are high for us this year. The work we put in in the offseason and the veteran leadership should make us highly competitive at the district, regional and state level.
“I definitely feel we should do better than last season. We had a strong offseason and I feel, with the strength and improvements of our key returners, the ceiling is high. We have to stay healthy and continue to progress within our skill level and conditioning, and hopefully everything will fall into place.”
First event: Saturday at Cicero-North Syracuse High School (tournament).
Handley
Coach: Troy Mezzatesta, ninth season.
Last season: Eighth in Region 4D; 18th in Class 4 state.
Key losses: Hayden Thompson, James Battulga.
Key returnees: Jacob Greene (So., 106), Alex Sardelis (Sr., 120), Jace Culotta (Jr., 126), James Keller (So., 144), Carson Otto (Sr., 152), Thomas Thorpe (Sr., 175), Ramone Rodriguez (So., 190), Zeke Diaz (Jr., 220).
Key newcomers: Max Boula (Fr., 113), Henry Buelow (Fr., 165), Jalen Washington (So., 215).
Mezzatesta’s outlook: “We want to maintain our competitive standards and be close to the top of the district and regional standings, as well as make an impact in the state tournament. The team will have some young wrestlers, but they also have some experience, so we hope they can grow up fast and help the team be successful as we get into team competitions.
“Thomas Thorpe, we’re glad to have back and healthy. He’s been working hard to get back to the podium, and he’s hungry to prove himself. Alex Sardelis and Jace Culotta both had some disappointing endings to their seasons and have worked hard all offseason to change the narrative. Carson Otto works hard and is a great leader in the room.”
First event: Friday and Saturday at Hedgesville (West Virginia) High School Duals.
Clarke County
Coach: Logan Withers, second season.
Last season: Eighth in Region 2B; 21st in Class 2 state.
Key loss: Kolton Vincent.
Key returnees: Matthew Mayr (So., 132/138), Camden McCarty (Sr., 165).
Key newcomer: Barrett Stemberger (Fr., 113/120).
Withers’ outlook: “Overall expectations for the team are the same as every year with my philosophy. That philosophy is focused on improving positions and skills. If we work hard enough, we may surprise a couple teams.
“Compared to last season, I have much more participants, which is always great to see. We would consistently forfeit six or seven matches every dual meet last season. This season hopefully the number of forfeits will only be two or three. Team focus will be on having a gritty attitude; skills will catch up over time.”
First event: Wednesday at East Rockingham High School (quad).
— Contact Joe Tuman at jtuman@winchesterstar.com
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