Wrestling: Expanded region coverage

One Benzel impresses another

Sometimes the consolation semifinals bring out as much emotion as the finals. At 119, Kellam’s Ross Benzel and Grassfield’s Ryan Fairbee were wrestling with their state hopes on the line in an overtime thriller.

Benzel appeared to have clinched the match with a takedown in the sudden-victory first overtime, but the two referees discussed the situation and the points were waived off.

Benzel was in bottom position to start the second overtime and then scored two points on a reversal. He started the third overtime in top position and was able to ride Fairbee out to finally secure the match.

Knights coach Mike Benzel dropped to his knees as time expired in the match and, after seeing his son’s arm raised in victory, picked him up in a great big bear hug.

“I’m proud of him as a son,” said Benzel, who added Ross had points waived off in an overtime semifinal in the Beach District tournament. “He’s got some guts. He got that takedown (in the first overtime). You go from total elation from advancing to states to having to wrestle again.”

Lightning would strike a third time for Ross Benzel in the third place match. He was leading 3-2 in the third period, but Western Branch’s Wil Everett broke loose for an escape before time expired.

Benzel was awarded points for a takedown at the end of the first overtime, but again the referees waived off the points. Everett wriggled free for an escape in the second overtime and was able to hold off Benzel in the third extra period to clinch the bronze medal.

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Granby wrestler comes through

After a loss in Friday night’s quarterfinals, Granby’s Marcus Johnson had to win three matches to qualify for the state tournament.

He beat King’s Fork’s Matt Hommell by decision in the second-round consolations, scored a 9-1 major decision over Erick Carter of Phoebus and then clinched his spot with a 4-2 decision over First Colonial’s Luke Barney.

Was Johnson worred about missing the state tournament?: “No, I always choke around this time of year — last year, I lost in the first round. I just take it one match at a time.”

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Landstown’s Wentt moves on

At 171, Landstown’s Trevor Wentt regrouped after a buzzer-beating takedown by Cox’s Jackson Rust and scored one of his own in overtime to advance to states.

“I’ve wrestled Jackson before and beat him by two,” said Wentt, who eventually finished in third place. “I just lost focus in the last couple of seconds and that’s why I got taken down. I worked too hard to lose that match and I knew I wasn’t going out.”

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Salem’s Sawyer perseveres

The most courageous performance of the day belonged to Salem senior heavyweight Nathan Sawyer.

His match against Green Run’s Daniel Davis was tied 1-1 with time winding down in the third period. The two tied up and were moving toward the edge of the circle, and then they both tumbled to the mat. Davis got up and walked toward the center, while Sawyer lay on the floor clutching his right knee.

“After the buzzer, he kept going — I don’t know if he didn’t hear it,” Sawyer said. “I saw him going down, so I tried to jump and put too much weight on it. The knee went in.”

After a lengthy injury timeout, Sawyer hobbled back to the center and was eventually lost after Davis scored a takedown.

SunDevils coach Justin Fentress said Sawyer was unable to put any weight on his right leg and the decision to wrestle in the consolation semifinal was left up to Sawyer and his father.

With state advancement in the balance, Sawyer squared up against Oscar Smith’s Michael Wyche, practically hopping around on his left leg. He was pinned in the second round.

“It’s my last year — I might as well,” Sawyer said.

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South Hampton Roads’ state qualifiers

* Kellam (9): Hayden Felch, 103; Ross Benzel, 119; Aaron Runzo, 125; Brennen O’Shea, 130; Austin D’Amico, 140; Teddy Csenar, 145; Tanner Ketcherside, 152; Turner Bishop, 160; Hunter Walsh, 189.

* Cox (8): Cody Stageberg, 103; Caleb Richardson, 112; Bryan Whitt, 119; Michael Chalfant, 130; Dashon Eure, 135; Ben Dorsay, 145; Conor O’Hara, 215; Ross Burbank, 285.

* Oscar Smith (5): Bryan Saravia, 103; Spencer Buettner, 140; Anthony Copeland, 152; Tyler Warren, 189; Michael Wyche, 285.

* Landstown (4): Francisco Bisono, 135; Matt Dey, 140; Seth Linquist, 160; Trevor Wentt, 171.

* Bayside (3): Jerrelle McCabe, 112; Marcelle McCabe, 125; Brandon Driggins, 140.

* Hickory (3): Todd Self, 112; Nick Squyres, 145; Darren Hankins, 215.

* Kempsville (3): Jeremy Mosley, 152; Bryce Barnes, 171; Austin Dickey, 189.

* Ocean Lakes (3): Dalton Henderson, 103; Allen Harcourt, 135; Kyle Robertson, 145.

* Western Branch (3): Wil Everett, 119; Nathan Cook, 171; Rico Gonzales, 215.

* Deep Creek (2): Javari Williamson, 125; Charles Arnold, 189.

* Great Bridge (2): Johnny McLananhan, 130; Joey Grainger, 171.

* Norview (2): Antonio Barnes, 112; Adrin Taylor, 160.

* Salem (2): Buddy Scarborough, 125; Zach Kechter, 135.

* First Colonial (1): Christian Olanowski, 119.

* Granby (1): Marcus Johnson, 160.

* Grassfield (1): Dennis King, 285.

* Green Run (1): Danny Davis, 285.

* ndian River (1): Corbin Slaugher, 130.

* Lakeland (1): Justin Howell, 215.

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Quotable

Cox coach Matt Small on his team building a virtually insurmountable lead before the finals: “For the program, it’s a step in the right direction. There are a lot of people involved that want to see Cox win region and state. The ultimate goal is next week. We qualified as many guys as we can, but you never want to leave anybody home.”

Kellam coach Mike Benzel on his team’s performance: “I’m proud of what my guys have done. “We brought nine guys here and all nine made it to states — unbelievable. If you would’ve told me at the beginning of the year I’d have nine guys at states, I would’ve laughed at you. We’ve got more people going to state this year than last year (when they won the team title).” Cox’s 103-pounder Cody Stageberg on wrestling his cousin, Kellam’s Hayden Felch: “It’s just like every other match. But when you step off the mat, you’re still family.” Cox’s 145-pounder Ben Dorsay on his 12-4 major decision over Ocean Lakes’ Kyle Roberston: “Last week, I wrestled him — it gets tough wrestling the same guy every week. I just had to push myself to get as many points as possible. It’s a step in a goal of mine to win a state title and a team (region) title.” Norview 160-pounder Adrin Taylor on edging Kellam’s Turner Bishop 3-1 in overtime in the final: “I know I was a favorite to win, but everyone loves an underdog. Turner wrestled a great match — if I had lost it I’d be just as happy because he deserved to win.” Great Bridge 171-pounder Joey Grainger on winning a region title after not competing in the postseason last year due to his grandfather’s death: “It feels pretty good. It’s hard to give up something you love to do. I’m ready for my last four matches — the end of my high school career.”

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On to states

The state tournament is this weekend at Robinson High in Fairfax.

Weight class pairings can be found here: http://www.vhsl.org/files/wr-pairings-2010.pdf

The Northern Region has yet to hold its tournament; it’s scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Central Region results can be found here: http://www.centralregionwrestling.net/2010CRT/2010reghome.htm

Northwest Region results can be found here: http://www.digitalsports.com/article/id/55073.aspx