By Krystle Bono, Submitted Photos
The Nandua Warriors varsity wrestling club hosted the Warrior Duels Jan. 26, in Onley, welcoming a total of 11 other teams to their home mats for the day. The Warriors ended their regular season with a third-place finish. Cameron Mears was a standout for Nandua, ending the day with a clean sweep, going 5-0.
Last weekend, the boys traveled to Poqouson to compete in the 2A East Regional tournament against 11 regional matched teams. The Warriors came out fourth, overall, and qualified six grapplers for the state finals.
Individually, Mears placed second in the 152-pound weight bracket, and Joe Teasley, Joe Catiglia, and James Burr were also all second overall in their respective weight brackets. Matt Taylor and David Gastelum each placed third.
Ben Gutierez earned fourth and is an alternate for the state tournament. Also earning spots on the podium, but just out of reach for the state battles, were Ben Stodghill, Dylan Ross, and Damani Baines, who each placed fifth, and Hunter Rippon, who placed sixth.
The state finals are set for Feb. 15-16, at Salem Civic Center in Salem, Va.