‘Four’-sight: New Kent High School Trojans capture Group 3A State wrestling championship again

New Kent High School's Wrestling Team proved its dominance on the mat once again, capturing its fourth consecutive state title.

New Kent High School’s Wrestling Team can officially be called a dynasty.

Producing five state champions and one state runner-up, the Trojan grapplers easily captured their fourth consecutive Group 3A State Championship during the competition from Feb. 18-19.

Trace Ragland became the first Trojan to claim a state title as he won by pinfall over Josh Domino of Skyline via decision, becoming a back-to-back state champion. Patrick Jordon found the top of the podium in the 138-pound bracket, winning by decision over Hunter Salomon of Skyline. Evan Holloway pulled off back-to-back titles, winning the 145-pound division by pinfall over Logan Arnold of Staunton River. Domonic Baker also pulled off a second consecutive state title, winning the 170-pound division by pinfall over Josh Kelly of Staunton River. Finally, Navy-bound Nicholas Vafiadis became a four-time state champion, winning by decision over Xavier Preston of William Byrd.

Travis Ragland emerged as the state runner-up in the 152-pound division, falling by a close 3-1 decision to Christiansburg Luke Robie. Other Trojan wrestlers who made the podium were Daniel Colgin (third place- 113 pounds), Nathaniel Fly (third place- 182 pounds), Kyle Gibson (third place- 120 pounds), Samuel Stamper (fourth place- 106 pounds), Cole Townsend (fifth place- 195 pounds), and Matthew Eberly (sixth place- 126 pounds).

First-year Head Coach John Goodbody spoke about how the program was set-up for success and how his predecessor, Mike Faus, put him in position to lead the Trojans.

“Coach Faus prepared me, kept me involved, and stayed in communication with me during this process,” Goodbody said in a Saturday night interview. “There was obviously an adjustment. Our staff priorities changed, but overall, we have this program in a certain situation where we make it work.”

From there, Goodbody spoke about how the fourth title in a row came to pass and how the championship meant as much as the previous three.

“We have a special group of seniors who started as freshman and been a part of the program for several years,” the head coach continued. “I remember when I first came to New Kent in 2011 and these kids were in third to fifth grade.

“It’s been a special ride with this group that we are graduating,” Goodbody continued. “They have turned our program in a different direction that we need to strive for in the next couple of years.”

But the head coach said that just because his Class of 2022 will no longer take the mat that the program will have a setback. New Kent High School’s wrestling team will return six state qualifiers from this year’s squad, including four who have already notched state titles, with three of the four already capturing multiple championships.

“Some people will think we are rebuilding but we are still going to be there,” Goodbody added. “It’s going to take hard work. But our success is motivating our youth programs and our middle school programs.

“The amount of participation from them and Virginia Team Predator have been vital,” the coach continued. “I hope these athletes keep this rolling and that they want to be part of our program.”

In conclusion, Goodbody praised the support from both the school and community side.

“I know the New Kent High School wrestling family want to thank the administration, faculty, staff, and community for their support,” he said as he wrapped up his interview. “Just seeing so many members from the staff to the school board in the stands today and the many members of the community support of us and being the process means a lot. It’s not over yet, and we’re a big family and the community is part of the New Kent High School wrestling family.”

New Kent amassed 273 points in the competition, easily distancing themselves from runner-up Skyline (173 points), and Staunton River (158 pounds).