New Kent pulls ahead of Mountain View late to claim Trojan Duals
New Kent's wrestling team poses with their championship trophy, held by Mikey Dorer (center, front) after capturing Saturday's Trojan Duals.Alan Chamberlain photos
New Kent’s Trojan wrestlers overcame an early Mountain View Wildcat lead to move in front to stay by winning two of the final three weights classes on the way to capturing the overall team title in their own Trojan Duals.
Saturday’s all-day event at New Kent featured teams from nine schools — New Kent, King William, Lee-Davis, Spotsylvania, Mountain View, Gloucester, Clover Hill, Jamestown, and Powhatan — divided into two pools.
New Kent and Mountain View emerged unscathed from pool competition to meet in the evening’s title match. The Trojans held on for a 36-33 victory.
“I didn’t expect that one,” Trojan coach Mike Faus said after the Mountain View victory. The hosts entered competition with several newcomers filling weight divisions and without the services of defending 3A state champion Caden Darber.
Mountain View dominated early on, but Cade Saunders’ pin at 170 pounds kept the Wildcats from pulling away. Trent Ragland came on strong late in the 192-pound match to win a 7-3 decision, Jason Godbey followed with a pin at 220 pounds, and Mikey Dorer (275) eked out a narrow 2-1 decision with a late escape to close the gap to 24-21.
Newcomer Gannon Jones’ pin at 106 pounds handed New Kent the lead at 27-24. The Wildcats moved back in front momentarily with a pin at 112 pounds, but Eric Taylor’s pin at 120 pounds put the Trojans ahead to stay (33-30). Shane Weimer (126) added some cushion, earning three points with a 7-1 decision.
The final outcome centered on the last match at 130 pounds. The Trojans’ Bryce Henley avoided a pin, worth six points, in dropping a 10-8 decision. Three points for the decision meant the Wildcats came up short.
New Kent’s Trent Ragland struggles to overcome King William’s David Jones. Ragland later recorded a pin.
Trojan wrestler Aiden Smith upends his King William opponent on the way to winning a decision at 160 pounds.
Heavyweight Mikey Dorer works to gain leverage on his Mountain View foe in Saturday’s final encounter.