Patrick County Middle School Wrestlers: first row (l-r): Owen Smith and Preston Foley; second row: Coach Chad Lange, Aiden LaComa, Darious Williams and Trey Robertson.

Five Patrick County Middle School wrestlers headed to Richmond last weekend to compete in the Middle School State Wrestling Championship.

Four of them had 30-32 wrestlers in their weight brackets.

According to Coach Chad Lange, they all fought hard but came up short to place in the top-six. Eighth graders Preston Foley, 105 lbs., went 0-2. Trey Robertson was 1-2 at 112 lbs. Owen Smith was 1-2 at 112 lbs. Darious Williams was also 1-2 at 128 lbs. Woolwine seventh grader Aiden LaComa was 0-2 at 160 lbs.

“This was a huge tournament with over 1,000 wrestlers,” said Coach Lange. “This was the first time Patrick County middle schoolers ever competed in the state tournament.”

According to Lange, big things are going to happen with Patrick County wrestling. “We are in the process of building the program, and this is an excellent way to start them loving and respecting the sport.”

“These young wrestlers have learned a lot in the past two years—technique, fundamentals and rules,” he said. “But once you see the guys together, you see a bond of friendship that will carry them through their varsity career.

“I am really proud of them this year and look forward to watching them become champions,” Lange said.