RVA Wrestling History

2025-26 Central Region Wrestling Top-12
(New Year's Edition)

#1 Powhatan [4A]
Placed 2nd at the vigorous Richmond Invitational with the likes of Benedictine (VISSA), Franklin Cox (5A), and Mountain View (6A). Plus defeating Hanover in an early season Dual.

#2 Glen Allen 8-0 [5A]
Placed 16th at the Annual Toys for Tots, It appears their starters were at the Beast of the East. Won the David Wells Tournament scoring on average 50 points in each 6 duals.

#3 Atlee [4A]
A runner-up finish behind Independence (6A) at the Greg Stanley. Placed 5th at the Colon Baker at Great Bridge

#4 New Kent [3A]
#5 Louisa County [4A]
#6 Hanover [4A]
#7 Deep Run [5A]
#8 Clover Hill 6-2 [5A]
#9 James River [5A]
#10 Thomas Dale [6A]
#11 Dinwiddie, 9-4 [4A]
#12 Prince George [5A]

Honorable Mention: Petersburg, Mechanicsville, J.R. Tucker.

Top Wrestling Programs of All-Time in the RVA.

1.New Kent: 18 District Championships, 10. Regional Championships, 4 Class 3 State Titles. 73 Individual Regional Champions, 80 State Medalists, 24 State Champions

2. Matoaca: 3 Regional Championships, 3 AAA State Championships. 22 Individual Regional Champions, 39 State Medalists, 20 State Champions

3. Lee-Davis (Mechanicsville): 8 Regional Championships. 24 Individual Regional Champions, 52 State Medalists, 9 State Champions

4. Hanover: 4 Regional Championships, 1 Class 4 State Championship. 21 Individual Regional Champions, 53 State Medalists, 11 State Champions

5. Atlee: 3 Regional Championships. 25 Individual Regional Champions, 51 State Medalists, 9 State Champions

6. Thomas Dale: 14 District Championships, 4 Regional Championships. 39 Individual Regional Champions, 45 State Medalists, 4 State Champions

7. Douglas Freeman: 18 District Championships, 11 Regional Championships. 26 Individual Regional Champions, 23 State Medalists, 5 State Champions

8. Powhatan: 3 Regional Championships. 25 Individual Regional Champions, 41 State Medalists, 8 State Champions

9. Midlothian: 2 Regional Championships. 22 Individual Regional Champions, 43 State Medalists, 5 State Champions

10. King William: 13 Individual Regional Champions, 50 State Medalists, 8 State Champions

Honorable Mention
11. Hermitage: 12 Individual Regional Champions, 24 State Medalists, 5 State Champions

12. Dinwiddie: 21 Individual Regional Champions, 26 State Medalists, 2 State Medalists

13. Petersburg: 3 Regional Championship. 21 Individual Regional Champions, 16 State Medalists, 3 State Champions

14. Prince George:3 Regional Championships. 15 Individual Regional Champions, 16 State Medalists, 2 State Champions

15. Cosby: 11 Individual Regional Champions, 21 State Medalists, 7 State Champions

Hanover County and Chesterfield County have 3 Programs in the Top-10, each. King William is the smallest school on the list, but has consistently competed well at the State level for over 20 years. A point system was used as well as looking at a program's longevity of success.

Point Criteria:
Team:
State Title-20 pts,
Region Title-10 pts

Individual:
Region Champ-2pts
State Medalist-3pts
State Champ-5pts

*if there are numbers off, please contact us. We are still looking to update the website!

Congratulations to the wrestlers who competed hard and represented the RVA. With the transfer of the Carter brothers, since their father was hired as Cosby Wrestling Head Coach. Cosby had 4 wrestlers compete at Fargo! Impressive. It appears they are gearing up to challenge Grassfield for the 6A crown. The largest shout out to Jenna Anderson finishing her career as a Junior Girls All-American. A trailblazer and a legend for the RVA and VA girls wrestling.

Junior Boys Freestyle
Tristan Carter (Cosby)
Ashton-Michael Ritz (Cosby)

Junior Boys Greco-Roman
Ashton-Michael Ritz (Cosby)

Junior Girls Freestyle
Jenna Anderson (Cosby)- ALL-AMERICAN 5th

16U Boys Freestyle
Trent Carter (Cosby)
Royce Wetzler (Benedictine)
Emmett Henley (Benedictine)
Benjamin White (Matoaca)

16U Greco-Roman
Trent Carter (Cosby)
Royce Wetzler (Benedictine)
Benjamin White (Matoca)

Lets Go Jenna Anderson & Sydney Branch!!!

72 Hours and counting before athletes from 90 Virginia High Schools descend upon the Henrico Sports and Athletic center for a chance to claim gold.

This year there are a number of athletes that are looking to add addition championships:

Morgan Layman & Eliana Primozic both secured titles in 2023 and are looking to add another.

Sarissa Tucker, Lily Oh, Sophia Slaughter and Isabella Hill are looking to repeat from last year’s tournament.

Sydney Branch & Jenna Anderson are both chasing their third titles which is a huge feat. If Branch can win this year it puts her in a position to be the first female wrestler to win 4 state titles.

Best of luck ladies, see you all on your journey in Henrico!

Congratulations to Luke Wells of Powhatan on becoming the 18th wrestler in the RVA to be a 4x Regional Champion!!

Congratulations to Nana Utsey of Glen Allen for winning his 3rd Regional Title. This time at 190lb.

As for Teams, The New Kent dynasty continues. Congratulations on their 3A Regional Championship, which is their 8th consecutive Regional Championship. Prince George returns back to the top with their 3rd 5C Regional Championship in 4 years. In Region 4B, there was a tie with Powhatan and Patrick Henry (Ashland) via 220 points!!

States was moved to this Saturday, March 1st. Only 3 wrestlers from the RVA are entering their respective State Championships undefeated:
Ryan O'Keefe, 113 (Patrick Henry-A)
37-0
James Bland, 285 (L.C. Bird)
28-0
Corey McPhearson, 285 (King William)
14-0

These wrestlers have only suffered 5 or less lossess this season:

106- Eammons Tewalt Hanover) 37-3
106- Maddox Heck (King William) 31-2
113- Michael Garcia Clover Hill) 25-3
126- Carlisle Andrade (Glen Allen) 36-3
126- Nathan Taylor (Hopewell) 26-4
132- Erik Gonzalez (Clover Hill) 25-5
132- Landon Morris (Patrick Henry-A) 36-4
138- Benjamin Owens (Hanover) 39-3
138- Brandon Lesher (Amelia) 21-5
138- Jace DeAngelis (Clover Hill) 23-4
138- Peyton Kozacek (James River) 23-5
144- Adonijah Mason (Prince George) 33-4
144- Carter Parry (Hanover) 38-4
144- Colton Eam (Clover Hill) 26-5
144- Elliot Waite (Nottoway) 21-2
144- Luke Wells (Powhatan) 31-1
144- Manny Evans (L.C. Bird) 28-1
150- Ben White (Matoaca) 16-3
150- Brennan Loving (Deep Run) 20-4
150- Ethan Han (Glen Allen) 30-5
150- Gavin Utley (Powhatan) 34-4
150- Hudson Sulzer (Midlothian) 25-5
157- Horacio Bowen (Prince George) 35-4
157- Kaiden Webb (Clover Hill) 19-4
157- Will Hart (Hanover) 34-1
165- Butter Stephenson (D.S. Freeman) 24-2
175- Camden Nguyen (Maggie Walker) 26-5
175- Malachi Blumenstock (Petersburg) 24-4
190- Amere Minott (Petersburg) 32-5
190- Cannen Harlow (Goochland) 32-5
190- Donovan Mendiola (Henrico) 39-3
190- Jackson Rogish (D.S. Freeman) 40-1
190- Trenton Stallings (King William) 24-4
190- Ricari Enoch-Bailey (Meadowbrook) 20-5
215- Andrew Weippert (J.R. Tucker) 40-2
215- Keith Melton (Petersburg) 35-3
215- Matthew Aleman (Cosby) 38-4
285- Adam Turpin (Varina) 22-2
285- Cole Leinberger (Thomas Dale) 40-3
285- Patrick Harlow (Goochland) 23-3
285- Sean Boyd (Cosby) 40-5

As we inch towards another great season of wrestling, we wanted to put a spotlight on returning State Qualifiers from the RVA. We list their weight from last season; all names and information was found on Trackwrestling. This week we are starting with programs from the Battlefield, Bay Rivers, Central, Dominion, & Tidewater District!

Let's keep on Tristian Carter of New Kent who is approaching the elusive Three-Time VHSL State Champion Club:

A large shout out to coaches, programs, parents, school personnel who help these children achieve great heights. Also, Midlothian Miners Wrestling Club, River City Wrestling, Blackhawk - Powhatan Wrestling, Twisted Joker Wrestling, Hanover Hawks Wrestling, New Kent Wrestling Club, and VA Team Predator Wrestling for providing high level technique in the RVA.

Clover Hill (5A)
106- L. Dibert [2x State Qualifer], 113- M. Garcia, 138- J. Rivera

Colonial Heights (3A)
113- S. Virostek, 175- T. Lindsey

Cosby (6A) 7th as a Team
120- B. Cramer, 215- M. Aleman

Dinwiddie (4A)
175- C. Bowles, 285- D. Harris

King William (2A)
106- M. Heck (4th), 215- T. Stallings

LC Bird (5A)
144- M. Evans (6th 2023), 165- S. Jefferson, 285-J. Bland [2x State Finalist]

Matoaca (5A)
106- L. Craig, 144- B. White

Midlothian (5A)
138- L. Summers (5th) [2x State Qualifer]

New Kent (3A) 2024 State Runner-Up
106- A. Cuic (3rd), 113- T. Carter (1st) [2x State Champion], 132- A. Ayala (5th), 138- N. Cuic (3rd), 150- Q. Morrison (3rd), 165- J. Edema, 175- C. Wiles, 215- C. Siebert

Petersburg (3A)
190- A. Minot [2x State Qualifer]

Blackhawk - Powhatan Wrestling (4A) 5th as a Team
113-B. Beard (6th), 132, L. Wells (2nd), 144- G. Utley (2nd)

Prince George Royals (5A)
106- S. Branch, 113- A. Swink, 144- A. Mason, 165- H. Bowen

Thomas Dale (6A)
113- A. Bowles, 190- J. Tucker, 215- C. Leinberger (6th) [2x State Qualifier],

As we inch towards another great season of wrestling, we wanted to put a spotlight on returning State Qualifiers from the RVA. We list their weight from last season; all names and information was found on Trackwrestling. This week we are starting with programs from the Capital, Colonial, James River & Jefferson District!

Let's keep on those individuals from this edition who are approaching the elusive Three-Time Virginia State placewinner Club: Nana Utsey- Glen Allen, Patrick Harlow- Goochland, & Adam's Turpin- Varina.

A large shout out to coaches, programs, parents, school personnel who help these children achieve great heights. Also, Midlothian Miners Wrestling Club, River City Wrestling, Blackhawk - Powhatan Wrestling, Twisted Joker Wrestling, and Virginia Team Predator for providing high level technique in the RVA.

Amelia County (2A):
132- B. Lesher [2x State Qualifier], 150- A. Henderson, 175- B. Volpi

Atlee High School (4A):
113- W. Dickinson, 120-J. Ludwig [2x State Qualifier], 138- G. Bosher, 157-T. Torres (4th)

Cumberland (1A- 17th Place):
126- A. Winslow [3x State Qualifier], 150- M. Fields [2x State Qualifier], 157- K. Wolfe, 165- G. Gonzales, 175- P. Kimball (6th), 190- A. Archer

Deep Run (6A)
132- M. Safi, 138- B. Fox, 150-M. Guidice [2x State Qualifier]

Douglas Freeman (5A- 20th place):
157- W. Stephenson [2x State Qualifier], 175- J. Rogish (5th) [2x State Qualifier], 215- C. Gerczak

Glen Allen (6A):
113- L. Burke, 120-C. Andrade (2nd), 126- J. Stottlemyer [3x State Qualifier], 165- N. Utsey [2x State Medalist & 3x Qualifier], 190- H. Smith

Goochland High School (3A- 9th Place):
106- C. Hardy, 132- S. Mundt, 165- J. Laster, 190- C. Harlow (4th), 215- P. Harlow (1st) [2x State Medalist]

Hanover (4A- 4th Place):
106- E. Tewalt (4th) [2x State Qualifier], 120- B. Owens (4th), 132- C. Parry (5th), 150- W. Hart (4th) [3x State Qualifier]

Henrico (4A):
190- D. Mendiola

J.R. Tucker (5A):
138- O. Borchers, 285- A. Weippert (3rd) [2x State Qualifier]

Louisa (5A- 17th Place):
106- L. Phelps [2x State Qualifier], 150- M. Edwards, 157- L. Rowan [2x State Qualifier & 2023 Medalist]

Mills E. Godwin (5A):
132- E. Forrest, 150- D. Oleksiinko, 157- G. Shuster

Patrick Henry-Ashland (4A- 11th Place):
106- R. O'Keefe (1st), 126- L. Morris (4th), 138- J. Christ (5th), 150- W. Villa, 165- T. Munsey

Varina (4A- 17th Place)
120- R. Watts, 144- D. Henderson, 285- A. Turpin (3rd) [2x State Medalist]

Fun Fact!

There have been 15 programs who have won a Regional Championship. New Kent leads with 10.

Atlee (3):
1997, 1998 AAA Central Region Champions; 2020 5A Region B Champions

Clover Hill (1):
1991 AAA Central Region Champions

Douglas Freeman (11):
Dates Unknown


Hanover (4):
Dates Unknown

Hermitage (2):
1986, 1995 AAA Central Region Champions

Mechanicsville (Lee-Davis) (8):
1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005 AAA Central Region Champions; 2019 5A Region B Champions

Midlothian (2)
1987 AA Region Champions; 2021 5A Region B Champions

James River-Midlothian (2):
2006, 2009 AAA Central Region Champions

Matoaca (3):
2014, 2015, 2016 5A South Region Champions

New Kent (10):
2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 3A Region A Champions

Petersburg (3):
Dates Unknown

Blackhawk - Powhatan Wrestling (2):
2021; 2022 4A Region B Champions

Prince George Royals (2):
2022; 2023 5A Region C Champions

Sussex Central (1):
1983 (AA). No longer supports wrestling.

Thomas Dale (4):
1975 (AA); 1988 (AAA); 1990 (AAA); 2008 (AAA)

Fun Fact!

Many wrestlers have gone on to compete collegiately. 13 individuals have earned NCAA All-American Honors:

Division I

Michael Moore, Lock Haven (Petersburg): AA [1978]

Buddy Lee, Old Dominion (Highland Springs): 2x AA [1980; 1982]

Charlie Branch, VMI (Petersburg): 4x NQ [1992-1995] AA [1994]

Leslie Apedoe, VMI (Colonial Heights): AA [1999]

Neal Richards, VMI (Matoaca): 2x NQ [2019, 2020], AA [2020]

Jackson Turley, Rutgers (St. Christopher's): AA [2021]



Division II

Bill Wamsley, Virginia State (Colonial Heights): AA [1985]

Warren Tucker, Virginia State (Dinwiddie): 2x AA [1990, 1991]

Aaron Bradley, Longwood University (Lee-Davis): AA [2001]



Division III

Brandon Woody, Averrett University (Matoaca): AA [2022]

Cameron Timok, Central College (Hermitage): 2x AA [2017, 2019]

Sam Braswell, Averrett University (Matoaca): 3x AA [2020, 2021, 2022]

Alex Turley, Averett University (Thomas Dale): AA [2021]

Petersburg Athletics Matoaca High School Hermitage High School Thomas Dale Wrestling Mechanicsville Wrestling Dinwiddie High School Colonial Heights High School Richmond Wrestling Club Highland Springs High School

Friday's Fact!

A remarkable feat has been achieved by Hanover High School, King William High, & New Kent High School as they are the 3 programs to have had a medalist every year at the VHSL state tournament for nearly 20 years. New Kent, since 2003. Hanover, since 2009. King William, since 2010. More Facts, check www.rvawrestlinghistory.info

As always, this history is being told in this extent for the first time. So information will be missing, a community is required to make sure the stories are told! So please message us with information you find.

New Kent Trojan Wrestling Hanover Hawks Wrestling King William High School Cavaliers Wrestling