Kellam and Poquoson among area’s top teams
Editor’s note:
The Peninsula District, Eastern District and Southeastern District schools recently canceled winter sports. Information on those schools’ wrestling teams is included in this report to recognize the athletes. All information is based on coaches’ submissions. Top schools to watch Kellam
Last year’s Class 6 state runner-up lost many to graduation, but the mainstay wrestling program will reload this season with a lineup that includes seniors Jake Thompson (285 pounds), Cam Fentress (132-138), Mason Ingram (132-138), Aiden McGarry (126), Blaize Bryant (145) and Marshall Griffin (220). “We have a ton of work to do to get to where we should be,” coach Mike Benzel said. “They are working hard.” Juniors Manny Sanchez (120) and Aiden Lambert (152) also return, along with sophomore Jakob Brown (113) and Henry Hoffman (170-182).
Poquoson
A solid core group returns for the Class 2 state champion, including 113-pound champ Karon Smith. The Islanders welcome back Class 2 Region A champions Bubba Barber, Braydon Backus and Cody Mitchell, all seniors. Evan Graham, another senior, was a region runner-up and fifth-place finisher at states at 220. Junior Joseph Chiappazzi also returns.
First Colonial
The Patriots finished third in the Class 5 Region A tournament, sending seven wrestlers to the state tournament, and coach Rodney Johnson welcomes back a solid group of sophomores alongside seniors Jack Zampi (138) and Ryan Henderson (170) and juniors Nic Goenner (160) and Seth Stoddard (132). The stellar sophomore class includes Ben Latimer (145), Damian Santiago (106), Collin Pedersen (285), Tyler Inghram (138), Dylan Arluk (138), Tyler Klinger (152), Aaron Capps (132) and Cole Shields (113).
Cox
Class 5 Region A champions
Austin Manning and Wes Schlemmer lead the Falcons as seniors, along with region runner-up Logan Shanor and Liam Flynn. Cox, the region runner-up as a team, returns a good core of underclassmen that includes junior Colin Bridges — a region champion and fifth-place finisher at states - and sophomores Parker Tillery, Tyler Haley and Noah Calayo, all region placewinners.
Landstown
Coach James Sanderlin coached his son Bryce to a state Class 6 championship last season, and with his graduation, younger brother Brett has a shot to do the same. He placed fourth in the state at 145 and moves up to 160 pounds this season. The Eagles also return senior Malachi Prophete-Williams, a fifth-place finisher at state at 170; junior Thomas Keyes (138), a fifth-place region finisher; and sophomore state placewinner Yuta Otero, who moves up from 106 to 120-126.
Gloucester
Senior Austin Glockner, a region and state runner-up, leads the Dukes, the only Peninsula District team intending to wrestle this season. Junior region champion Josh Seaton returns with senior Josh Kuehn, junior Ashton Flaherty and Ethan Baker, a region runner-up last season. Gloucester finished sixth in the team standings at the Class 5 Region A tournament last year.
Around the 757 ... Beach District
Senior state qualifiers Riley Stevens (120-126) and Adin Garay (170-182) return for under coach Robert Toran. Seniors Isaiah Henderson (220), Colby Toth (145152) and Omarion Mason (285) are back, in addition to freshmen Angelo Samson (113-120) and Ian Hughes (170-182). Two-time state qualifier Mason Thomas (285) is back for and is “ready to bring the title home to Green Run,” first-year coach Rob Etheridge said. Seniors Kaden Baker (220) and Brandon Zobel (152) also return for the Stallions. At
state runner-up Liam Murphy (138-145) returns for his junior season with junior Trenton Campos (126-132) and senior
Green Run Ocean Lakes, Salem
Ethan Crouse (152-160).
Bay Rivers District Smithfield
returns a formidable core, and coach Tony Leonard expects to “have a large portion of the team qualify for the state tournament” in Class 4. Juniors Evan Christoffer (113) and Nik Voros (126) are back with seniors Cameron Hatchett (152) and Brady Stalls (170), as well as sophomores Hunter Ray (132) and Justin Goodin (285). For seniors Jacob Seale, Bradyn Waddell and Josh Evans are returning Class 3 Region A champions.
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Austin Glockner, Gloucester: The Dukes senior was a runner-up at the Class 5 Region A and Class 5 state level and will look to take a crown this season.
Austin Manning, Cox: The Falcons senior is the reigning Class 5 Region A champion and will look to improve on a third-place finish at the state tournament.
Brett Sanderlin, Landstown: The Eagles senior placed fourth at the Class 6 Region A and Class 6 state level and is poised to take the next step.
Karon Smith, Poquoson: The Islanders senior won the Class 2 state championship at 113 pounds last season, along with a Class 2 Region A title.
Jake Thompson, Kellam: The Knights’ senior heavyweight won the Class 6 Region A championship and placed third at the state tournament.
Not forgotten Highlighting the best among school districts that canceled winter sports due to COVID-19: Southeastern District Great Bridge
would have had perhaps the area’s best team, with two returning state champions in senior Jesse Alvarado (145) and junior Max Martin (106). Senior Harrison Smith (160), junior Caleb Chandler (132) and junior Ty Chittum (138) were reigning champions in Class 4 Region A.
would have given the Wildcats a stiff challenge, with three Class 5 state champions in brothers Evan (113, senior) and Owen Rawls (106, sophomore) and Matthew Henson (182, senior). Class 6 state champion Trevon Gray (106) was poised to lead the Class 6 team champion, along with state runner-up Jaheid Lucas and region runner-up Nasir Hughes.
coach Brandon Hardy expected a big year from seniors Zeyd Myers (152-160) and Makao Penn (220) and juniors Will Fay
Nansemond River Oscar Smith, Branch Western
(145), Xavier Swanson (152) and David Frasier (195). Third-place state finisher Michael Long would have led with fellow senior Alex SanAntonio (132-138) and juniors Keegan Megaro (113120), Joey Midkiff (126) and Dylan Staples (120). Senior 182-pounder Nolan Gerwitz, a returning region champion, would have led
Region champion Walter Barnett (285), a junior, and senior Kam Hardison (195) were poised to lead Deep Creek with sophomore Gavin Mills (126) and juniors Jordan Watson (120), Nathan Mallery (160) and Daunta Perry (170).
River. Hickory Eastern District
Senior Antwan Woods (195) was prepared to return for after missing last season with a knee injury. Senior Ben Beard (145-152), junior Truman Skaggs (113) and freshman Aiden Martin (126), a nationally ranked Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete, also would have contributed. Junior Cameron Howard (126) was the returning Class 3 Region A champion for Booker T. Washington.
Peninsula District Menchville’s Indian Norview
Kwalii Thomas, a senior, was a returning Class 4 Region A champion at 120, and Warwick’s Staley Hampton, a senior, was a returning Class 4 Region A champion at 170.