Mr. Observer’s January “Observations”
- On any other evening, a 14 match dual meet would be just that. Last night was different
though. Benedictine and St. Christopher’s circled date came to fruition when the two private
schools locked horns. Now we have seen St. Christopher jump out to huge leads over
Benedictine in the past. But this was a different team. This was coach Ryan Hall’s team. Not
the team Coach Hall took over, but the team that finally coincided with the vision he had for
Benedictine when he first accepted the job. The wrestlers have adopted his mantra of hard
work and giving their best effort. They bought into a program as he bought into them. So as
Benedictine received a few transfer wrestlers this year that is when it really hit me how great of
a coaching job Hall has done in building a great atmosphere. An atmosphere where his
wrestlers remained loyal to him when the program was down, and together they reaped the
benefits. They’ve grown together and now Benedictine is THE feel good story of the Central
Region this year. In fact it reminds me of New Kent’s coming out party at the James River Duals
a few years back. Benedictine has been an underdog all season, which made last night’s win
special. And it was special because of how great of a program St. Christopher’s is. If St.
Christopher’s did not have the proud reputation it has established as a top VISAA power, I
wouldn’t be writing this article now. But they are that good. It’s just now that Benedictine is
that good as well. Congratulations to Coach Hall and the Benedictine wrestlers. You’ve earned
it! Now if I know Coach Hall, he will be pushing you that much harder now. That’s what a good
coach does when his team raises the bar.
- I was happy to read about Clover Hill’s Jordan Miles today in the Richmond Times Dispatch
online. I have never met the young man personally, but it sounds like the great sport of
wrestling has struck again and helped a young man overcome some anger issues to become a
team leader. Coach Fox has contributed to Jordan’s seemingly strong support group that
ranges from church to school to home. Wrestling is such a perfect sport to help out young,
troubled kids. I hope more teenagers read this article and realize they also have a choice to
turn their lives around. I was in Jordan’s shoes once, and wrestling was the reason I was able to
get my life on track. Well that and the strong support group I had. Which also included my
wrestling coach, Coach Mallory of Tuckahoe. So when I read this story I naturally want root for
Jordan to achieve his goals and qualify for states. It won’t be easy for him, but he has
overcome so much already. I wouldn’t bet against him this year.
- Hanover and Matoaca, the two top AAA public school programs in the Central Region, gave us
a back and forth battle a couple of weekends ago at the Virginia Duals. Matoaca won the
match 39-37 on a last match pin. In the process though people realized that Coach Moore’s
program is not invincible on regional level. As Matoaca inches itself towards a top team in the
state status, it has a competitive Hanover program right on its heels. It wasn’t that long ago
that Matoaca was viewed as Blake Roulo and Josh Clark’s team. But really, it has always been
Coach Moore’s program. Lose a state champion, coach another one. Instead of having one
state champion this year, Matoaca has a legitimate chance at two in Neal Richards and Corbin
Ramos. Yet they are still a young starting lineup. Hanover on the other hand has a nice mixture
of seniors and underclassmen. With a shot at four regional titles, they are right in the mix for
the team Central Regional Tournament title. I look at teams like Cosby, Lee Davis, Varina, Deep
Run, and Colonial Heights to contend for a top five showing, but at the end of the second day, I
think it comes down to Hanover and Matoaca battling it out for the last true Central Regional
Title. I couldn’t imagine a better way to close out this chapter of wrestling history.
- I am a big fan of wrestlers who fly under the radar, and two wrestlers that come to mind are
Dinwiddie’s Aaron Vaughn and Petersburg’s Alex Charity. Vaughn, the younger brother of
former regional champion Denny Vaughn, was undefeated heading into this past weekend.
Now before you question his schedule of opponents, know this. Vaughn defeated Jamestown’s
Devin Washington, 3-2 in overtime. This is the same Washington who defeated Deep Run’s Eric
Hess 3-1 at the Lee Davis Holiday Classic in December. Hess has been the # 1 ranked 220lb all
season.
Alex Charity has been a pleasant surprise in the heavyweight ranks this season. Losing Ray
Procise (3rd in the region) due to graduation, left a gaping hole in the lineup. Alex not always
assume the role, but does so in dominant style. All of his matches have been first period pins.
Included in his wins is a quality win over Anthony Helm of Matoaca. He is the region's # 2
ranked heavyweight. It still remains unanswered how a previously untested Charity handles a
match going the distance. Petersburg however, has a strong history of putting out quality
heavyweights. Alex is on pace to join that impressive list.
- Speaking of Anthony Helms, I am sold on his potential. This region has not seen a freshman
heavyweight as talented as Helms. He has a good heavyweight build, moves well, and is going
to receive top notch coaching. Despite his first period loss to Charity, he has potential
matchups with him at district and regional finals. It is safe to assume by the time the regional
tournament comes, he will have figured out how to keep it close with Alex.