Hello, to all wrestling fans out there!
This is Derek “BIG D” Nash, an 11-year wrestling fan from Thomas Dale High School. I’ve been given the opportunity to start a wrestling blog for DigitalSports, which will also include BIG D’s Wrestler of the Week Award.
Although the season is coming to an end, I figured it was never too late to start one right now. I want to thank Stephen Lewis for inspiring me to do this for the site.
Check in with me every now and then for my thoughts, points and tidbits. If anyone would ever like to personally email me you can do so at dsnsportstd@yahoo.com.
The Central District is loaded this year with tons of talent. We have kids who not only can compete at the Central Region but also the state Group AAA level, and I don’t mean just qualify and get their name put on a shirt.
I’m saying we have a handful or two that could seriously make some noise come February 20th and the 21st.
Team wise Thomas Dale, not being biased, is still the team to beat in this tourney. Even with a handful or so kids in the finals, they have plenty of kids who will wrestle back to place high enough to qualify for regionals.
After the Knights will be a second-place battle between Hopewell and Matoaca. Although both schools will have finalists, Hopewell may come out with a few champs more than Matoaca.
I’m not sure how Hopewell will do in the wrestle back department. Matoaca is a little deeper than Hopewell.
Dinwiddie is another tough team to reckon with. They have some solid kids who will lead them to a top-four team finish. Following these four you’ll have Prince George and Colonial Heights battling for 5th/6th, with Meadowbrook and Petersburg coming in the last two slots.
Here are the district champs in my opinion (note: I haven’t seen the seeds yet): 103: Joey Plutro (Dinwiddie); 112: Jonathan *** (Hopewell); 119: Alex Turley (Thomas Dale); 125: James White (Thomas Dale); 130: Matt Blaszak (Colonial Heights); 135: Josh Clarke (Matoaca); 140: Brandon Diamond (Thomas Dale); 145: Cody Allala (Hopewell) or Blake Roulo (Matoaca), This is too hard to call folks; 152: Daniel Rogerson (Dinwiddie); 160: Clint Allala (Hopewell); 171: John Dommert (Thomas Dale); 189: Austin Akins (Matoaca); 215: Dylan Krupp (Colonial Heights); 285: Cam Granderson (Hopewell)
Wrestlers to watch include: Wallace (Hopewell 103), Schrinel (PG 112), Zoller (TD 112), Tuppince (MBK 140), Felter (TD 145), Edwards (Mat 152), Worsham (MBK 160), **** (CH 160), Wingfield (Hopewell 189/215 whichever one he wrestles), Lewis (PG 285) and Oakley (Din 285).
Big D’s Wrestler of the Week: Josh Clarke (Matoaca/Sophomore/135). In the past two weeks Josh finished 1st at the Big Blue, which is a tourney held at Christiansburg. He came back with a 2nd place finish at the Riverbend Free Lance Star Super 32. His loss was to Jared Anongos of James River, the top 135 just ahead of Josh in the region.
He had a big 3-1 win over Ben Wilson of Hanover with literally just about a second left in regulation.
Good luck to all wrestlers in the Central District this weekend and to others from Dominion, Capital and Colonial Districts. Let’s make noise at regions and states!!!
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