The Cougar Wrestling Team traveled to Salem, Virginia on February 17 and 18 to compete in the Class 2 State Wrestling Tournament where they finished 13th as a team scoring 52.5 points. The team had eight wrestlers compete: Jonathan Culler (106), Ethan Cobbler (120), Juan Pablo Gutierrez (126), Jackson Iacovone (132), Trent Alexander (138), Stephen Spencer (144), Paul Pascale (215), and Ricky Mejia (Hwt.).
Three of the 8 entries earned a place on the podium by finishing in the top 6 in their respective weight classes.
Johnathan Culler finished 5th in the 106-pound weight class, Ethan Cobbler finished 4th in the 120-pound weight class, and Stephen Spencer finished 6th in the 144-pound weight class.
“We set some team goals and individual goals at the beginning of the season,” Coach Tim Lawson said. “One of those goals was to finish in the top 4 at the State Tournament as a team during Post Season Competition. We were in position to make this happen but came up short. A lot of these young men competing this weekend had set a goal to earn a spot on the podium but came up short. Once again, like all season, the wrestlers competing this weekend gave a good effort and represented our school well. Our coaches are proud of them for all they accomplished this season. Hopefully those returning will work hard in the weight room and in the wrestling room during this off season to get ready for a return opportunity next season.”
Patrick County Wrestling Team Results from the 2023 Class 2 State Wrestling Tournament
106 – Jonathon Culler
Champ. Round 1 – Dylan Padgett (Nandua) 31-4 won by decision over Jonathon Culler (Patrick County) 43-12 (Dec 7-0)
Cons. Round 1 – Jonathon Culler (Patrick County) 43-12 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Jonathon Culler (Patrick County) 43-12 won by fall over Evan Brinkley (Central) 16-15 (Fall 1:37)
Cons. Round 3 – Jonathon Culler (Patrick County) 43-12 won by fall over Drake Young (Tazewell) 21-15 (Fall 0:58)
Cons. Semi – Alan Vu (Glenvar) 24-9 won by decision over Jonathon Culler (Patrick County) 43-12 (Dec 6-4)
5th Place Match – Jonathon Culler (Patrick County) 43-12 won by fall over Conner Miller (Strasburg) 38-15 (Fall 1:00)
120 – Ethan Cobbler
Champ. Round 1 – Ethan Cobbler (Patrick County) 48-6 won by fall over Zaakiyan Thomas (Bruton) 3-8 (Fall 3:38)
Quarterfinal – Jadon Shanholtz (Strasburg) 45-7 won by decision over Ethan Cobbler (Patrick County) 48-6 (Dec 13-7)
Cons. Round 2 – Ethan Cobbler (Patrick County) 48-6 won by forfeit over Corey Chapman Jr. (Central (Woodstock)) 33-10 (For.)
Cons. Round 3 – Ethan Cobbler (Patrick County) 48-6 won by tech fall over Brice Jones (Dan River) 21-15 (TF-1.5 3:00 (17-1))
Cons. Semi – Ethan Cobbler (Patrick County) 48-6 won by decision over James Withrow (Poquoson) 28-15 (Dec 8-7)
3rd Place Match – Jadon Shanholtz (Strasburg) 45-7 won by fall over Ethan Cobbler (Patrick County) 48-6 (Fall 2:13)
126 – Juan Gutierrez
Champ. Round 1 – Juan Gutierrez (Patrick County) 40-11 won by fall over David Terrones-Lara (Randolph Henry) 18-12 (Fall 1:33)
Quarterfinal – Heath Burks (Strasburg) 25-0 won by fall over Juan Gutierrez (Patrick County) 40-11 (Fall 3:53)
Cons. Round 2 – Bryce Ramey (Union) 40-15 won by fall over Juan Gutierrez (Patrick County) 40-11 (Fall 3:00)
132 – Jackson Iacovone
Champ. Round 1 – Christian Rector (John Battle) 38-10 won by fall over Jackson Iacovone (Patrick County) 20-14 (Fall 1:40)
Cons. Round 1 – Jackson Iacovone (Patrick County) 20-14 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Wyatt Spencer (Richlands) 36-8 won by fall over Jackson Iacovone (Patrick County) 20-14 (Fall 0:28)
138 – Wesley Alexander
Champ. Round 1 – Wesley Alexander (Patrick County) 37-18 won by fall over Isaac Eddy (Marion) 9-9 (Fall 1:54)
Quarterfinal – James Ruehl (Poquoson) 17-12 won by fall over Wesley Alexander (Patrick County) 37-18 (Fall 0:57)
Cons. Round 2 – Wesley Alexander (Patrick County) 37-18 won by fall over Tre`Shon Johnson (Arcadia) 10-14 (Fall 3:55)
Cons. Round 3 – Tristan Faidley (John Battle) 27-19 won by fall over Wesley Alexander (Patrick County) 37-18 (Fall 2:53)
144 – Steven Spencer
Champ. Round 1 – Landon Davis (Central) 19-6 won by fall over Steven Spencer (Patrick County) 35-7 (Fall 1:56)
Cons. Round 1 – Steven Spencer (Patrick County) 35-7 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Steven Spencer (Patrick County) 35-7 won by decision over Zach Bracken (Strasburg) 29-9 (Dec 4-3)
Cons. Round 3 – Steven Spencer (Patrick County) 35-7 won by decision over Christian Leonard (Poquoson) 20-16 (Dec 5-2)
Cons. Semi – Blake Jacobson (Clarke County) 59-6 won by decision over Steven Spencer (Patrick County) 35-7 (Dec 3-0)
5th Place Match – Landon Davis (Central) 19-6 won by decision over Steven Spencer (Patrick County) 35-7 (Dec 6-0)
215 – Paul Pascale
Champ. Round 1 – Paul Pascale (Patrick County) 38-14 won by decision over Jordan Hedrick (Page County) 16-12 (Dec 7-5)
Quarterfinal – Zach Hall (Union) 41-12 won in the ultimate tie breaker over Paul Pascale (Patrick County) 38-14 (UTB 3-2)
Cons. Round 2 – Paul Pascale (Patrick County) 38-14 won by fall over Hayden Christian (John Marshall) 0-2 (Fall 0:22)
Cons. Round 3 – Samuel Villasenor (Poquoson) 38-8 won by fall over Paul Pascale (Patrick County) 38-14 (Fall 3:13)
285 – Ricardo Mejia
Champ. Round 1 – Mason Graber (Stuarts Draft) 24-17 won by fall over Ricardo Mejia (Patrick County) 25-12 (Fall 3:04)
Cons. Round 1 – Ricardo Mejia (Patrick County) 25-12 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Connor Clendenon (Union) 45-14 won by fall over Ricardo Mejia (Patrick County) 25-12 (Fall 3:24)
