While no teams came away with a state championship, this winter's high school wrestling season was wildly successful for area athletes.
A total of 21 local grapplers captured individual state titles, advancing their way through the brackets and finishing atop their respective weight classes. The catalog of champions ranges from Classes 1-4, and includes both boys and girls wrestlers.
Presented here is The 色多多 2025 All-Timesland Wrestling Team, highlighting the student-athletes who exceled on the mat this winter. This year's team features 10 repeat selections.
Wrestler of the Year: Chase Miller, Glenvar
Chase Miller of Glenvar (right) ties up Dawson Martin of Radford to win the Class 2 190-pound division state championship on Feb. 17, 2024 at the Salem Civic Center.
Earning Wrestler of the Year for the second time, the senior capped off a decorated high school career by winning his fourth straight state championship, claiming the 190-pound division in Class 2.
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With the title, Miller completed back-to-back undefeated seasons, going 28-0. He ended his high school career with a remarkable 111-2 record.
Houston Bear, Rural Retreat
Rural Retreat's Houston Bear celebrates to the crowd after his win over Grundy's Colton Clevinger in the Class 1, 106 Championship on March 1.
A year after placing third, the Indians sophomore won the 106-pound championship at the Class 1 state meet.
The victory capped off a perfect 34-0 season for Bear, who also claimed the Region 1D title.
Xaiden Wynn, James River
James River鈥檚 Xaiden Wynn celebrates after beating Poquoson鈥檚 Brayden Bunting in the 113-pound Class 2 state final on March 1.
The Knights senior moved up a weight class and still came away with his third consecutive state title, winning the 113-pound championship in Class 2.
Wynn finished the year with a 40-1 record and won the Region 2C championship as well.
Graydon Martin, Staunton River
Staunton River鈥檚 Graydon Martin (left) eyes Skyline鈥檚 Jacob Buffum in the 113-pound final of the Class 3 state wrestling championships at Heritage High School in Lynchburg on March 1.
Martin capped off an impressive freshman campaign by claiming the 113-pound championship at the Class 3 state meet.
Martin finished the season with a 25-4 record and also won the Region 3D title.
Caleb Gibson, Rural Retreat
Rural Retreat's Caleb Gibson celebrates after winning the Class 1, 120 state title over Grundy's Bryce Looney on March 1.
After winning the 113-pound state championship in Class 1 last year, the Indians sophomore moved up to 120 pounds and won his second straight title.
Gibson beat Grundy's Bryce Looney via 8-1 decision in the championship match, the same wrestler he lost to via 3-2 decision in the Region 1D title match. Gibson finished the season with an 18-2 record.聽
Darin Witcher, William Byrd
William Byrd's Darin Witcher competes in the Class 3 106-pound division state championship match Feb. 17, 2024 at the Salem Civic Center.
The Terriers junior moved up two weight classes and captured back-to-back state championships, winning the 120-pound title in Class 3.
Witcher finished the season 32-5 and also won the Region 3D championship.
Caleb Thompson, Grayson County
The Blue Devils sophomore capped off a one-loss season by winning the 126-pound championship at the Class 1 state meet.
Thompson racked up a 42-1 record this season, also claiming the Region 1B/C championship.聽
Levi Wright, Glenvar
Glenvar's Levi Wright (left) has his arm raised after defeating Nandua's Arnoldson Destine for the 126-pound state title in Class 2 on March 1
Wright won the 126-pound state title in Class 2 as a freshman, knocking off a junior grappler in the championship match.
Wright finished his rookie season with a 34-5 record and also captured the Region 2C title.
Isabella Hill, Grayson County
Grayson County senior Isabella Hill won the school鈥檚 first-ever girls state championship at the girls open and repeated this winter.
One of the most accomplished female wrestlers from the Timesland area, Hill capped off her senior season by claiming back-to-back state championships at the girls open, winning the 138-pound title.
Hill also won the Zone 1 Girls Qualifier and ended the year with a 21-8 record.
Chaz Penwright, Rural Retreat
Rural Retreat's Chaz Penwright celebrates after defeating Grundy's Graham Pittman in the Class 1, 144 championship on March 1.
An All-Timesland honorable mention last year, the Indians junior earned a team selection after winning the 144-pound championship at the Class 1 state meet.
Penwright finished the season 32-4 and also won the Region 1D title.聽
Brady Hand, Christiansburg
Christiansburg's Brady Hand competes in the 138-pound division in the Class 3 wrestling state championships Feb. 16, 2024 at the Salem Civic Center.
The Blue Demons junior won back-to-back state championship, emerging victorious in the 144-pound division at the Class 3 state meet.
Hand earned a 28-5 record this season and also won the Region 3D championship.聽
Tharin Svetanant, Blacksburg
Blacksburg鈥檚 Tharin Svetanant (left) battles Powhatan鈥檚 Luke Wells in the Class 4 state wrestling championships March 1.
After finishing third in the 126-pound division last year, the Bruins sophomore moved up to 144 pounds and surged through the state tournament bracket, capturing the Class 4 crown.
Svetanant finished the season 34-4 and also won the Region 4D championship.
Aaron Peterson, Grayson County
Grayson County鈥檚 Aaron Peterson celebrates after defeating Parry McCluer鈥檚 Jackson Brockenbrough in the 150-pound Class 1 state final on March 1.
The Blue Devils senior lost just two matches en route to winning the 150-pound championship at the Class 1 state meet.
Peterson finished the year 25-2 and also won the Region 1B/C title.
Noah Nininger, Staunton River
Staunton River senior Noah Nininger (left) looks to wrap up Cave Spring's Davis Henritze in the 150-pound bracket at the Class 3 state championships on March 1.
The Virginia Tech signee won his fourth championship at the Class 3 state meet, claiming the 150-pound title.
Nininger earned a 28-1 record in his senior season, adding a Region 3D championship to his illustrious career.
Taven Williams, Radford
Taven Williams of Radford (right) defeats Matthew Marlowe of Chatham to capture the Class 2 157-pound state championship Feb. 17, 2024 at the Salem Civic Center.
Williams capped off his senior season with back-to-back state championships, capturing the 165-pound title at the Class 2 state meet.
Williams went 37-2 this season and also won the Region 2C championship.
Macon Ayers, Staunton River
Staunton River's Macon Ayers looks to the crowd after winning the 165-pound title at the Class 3 state wrestling championships on March 1.
The UVa signee won his third state championship, claiming the 165-pound title at the Class 3 state meet.
Ayers ended his senior season with a 28-4 record and also won the Region 3D championship.
John Smith, Giles
Giles' John Smith celebrates after beating Grundy's Brody Ford in the Class 1 state title match at 175 pounds on March 1.
Smith became the first individual state champion in Spartans program history, capturing the 175-pound championship at the Class 1 state meet.
Smith, an All-Timesland honorable mention last year, went 37-6 this season and also won the Region 1B/C title.
Cole Martin, Radford
Radford's Cole Martin won over Poquoson's Nathaniel Quiroz in the Class 2, 175 state title on March 1.
The Bobcats junior won the 175-pound championship at the Class 2 state meet.
Martin earned a 38-2 record this season, also capturing the Region 2C title.
Jake Robie, Christiansburg
After finishing runner-up in the 165-pound division last year, the Blue Demons junior moved up a weight class and claimed the 175-pound championship at the Class 3 state meet.
Robie finished the season 24-6 and also won the Region 3D title.
Damon Trent, Jefferson Forest
The Cavaliers seniors finished off a wildly successful final season by winning the 175-pound championship at the Class 4 state meet.
The victory capped off a 40-1 campaign for Trent, who also won the Region 4D title.聽
Landon Jobber-Spence, Staunton River
Staunton River's Landon Jobber-Spence wrestles Petersburg's Keith Melton in the 215-pound finals of the Class 3 state wrestling championships on March 1.聽
The Golden Eagles senior captured back-to-back state championships, winning the 215-pound title at the Class 3 state meet.
Jobber-Spence earned a 28-4 record this season and also won the Region 3D championship.
Honorable Mentions聽
Lane Brunk (William Byrd); Takoda Parker (Blacksburg); Braden Henderson (Blacksburg); Alliya Walker (Grayson County); Bo Anders (Grayson County); Warren Hicks (Northside); Derek Bush (Salem); Jack Hughes (Fort Chiswell); Brenden Mabry (Fort Chiswell); Jaxson Guinn (Chilhowie); Jackson Brockenbrough (Parry McCluer); Davis Henritze (Cave Spring); Luke Wirth (Jefferson Forest); Braeden Whitaker (Galax); Angel Rigney (Lord Botetourt); Trey Sparks (George Wythe); Paul Pascale (Patrick County)
