Photo by JR Team and Brian Hoffman
The James River wrestling team closed out the regular season with the Highlander Invitational Wrestling Tournament at Glenvar High School last Saturday. The tournament consisted of schools from Class 1 through Class 4 and James River finished fifth out of 15 schools.
Grundy High School took the team title with host Glenvar finishing second. Central of Woodstock was third, followed by Class 4 Salem, then River. The Knights put three wrestlers in the championship match and all three won with Xaiden Wynn taking the championship at 106, Brayden Forbes at 113 and Nathan Stewart at 120.
“I am happy and proud of my team,” said River coach Bobby Stewart. “Man, it feels good. It seems like things are coming together at the right time. Coaches always know it is important to get your team to peak at the right time. I feel we are there.”
Wynn, the top seed at 106, pinned his way to the championship title with the last pin coming in the championship finals match against Region 2C foe Alan Vu of Glenvar High School. Xavier is now 31-2.
Forbes, the top seed at 113, pinned his way into the championship final bout with pin falls over wrestlers from Cave Spring and Northside. In the finals Brayden faced Class 1A powerhouse Bryce Looney of Grundy and won 14-12 to improve to 29-3.
Stewart, a third seed, removed all doubts about where he belongs in the ranking of the 120-pound class. Stewart secured a pin in the first round over Hidden Valley, a tech fall over Grundy in the second round, a dominating 12-7 decision over state competitor from Central-Woodstock Corey Chapman in the championship semi-finals, and also an excellent performance in the championship finals match, beating Northside’s Wayshaun Hicks 10-5 for the title. Stewart heads into the postseason with a 32-10 record.
River had four fifth place finishers, Xander Carlough at 106, Josiah Merchant at 126, Maddox Woodyard at 138 and Jayden Alston at 165. Evan Byers took sixth at 132.
River will now prepare for the Region 2C tournament, which the Knights will host on February 11.
“The in-season is a time where we see how we match up and learn lessons,” said Stewart. “The post season can act like a whole new season. Peak, make adjustments, who knows what will happen.
“I need to thank my coaching staff as well, Coach Quinn, Coach Wynn, Coach Montgomery, Coach Forbes, and Team Mom Angie Forbes Hill. It takes a village and I couldn’t do it without the support of these folks. When you see these folks tell them good job, they deserve it. It is not ‘I’ it is ‘WE’ around here.”
