The Dukes are Region 4A regional wrestling champions, cruising to the title with over a 100-point lead on Saturday at Churchland High School in Portsmouth. The Dukes won with a team score of 290 followed by the runners-up, Warhill, with 163.5 team points.
Eight Gloucester High School wrestlers—Jackzel Quinones (106 lbs.), David Lewis (120 lbs.), Aiden Sheesley (126 lbs.), Micah Bodiford (138 lbs.), Corey Skay (150 lbs.), Karl Dean (165 lbs.), Kenneth Hamilton (175 lbs.) and J.R. Jones (285 lbs.)—won their individual weight classes to be crowned regional champions.
Runners-up in their respective weight classes were Chase Adams (113 lbs.) and Christin Hartz (132 lbs.).
Rylan Altrath (144 lbs.) placed third in his weight class, with Nelson Spikes (190 lbs.) and Brandon McDonald (157 lbs.) placing fourth.
Hampton, Bethel
The Gloucester High School wrestling team competed in its last regular season meet on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Hampton High School against the host Hampton Crabbers, and the Bethel Bruins. The Dukes won over both teams, leaving the Dukes undefeated in the district this year.
The Dukes won over the Bethel Bruins, 56-24. Winning in their respective weight classes were Quinones (106 lbs.), Hartz (132 lbs.), Rylan Altrath (144 lbs.), McDonald (157 lbs.), Spikes (175 lbs.), and Jones (285 lbs.). Winning by forfeit were Lewis (120 lbs.), Sheesley (126 lbs.), Dean (165 lbs.), and Anthony Nester (190 lbs.).
The Dukes beat the Hampton Crabbers, 52-27. Winning their respective matches were Quinones (106 lbs.), Lewis (120 lbs.), Sheesley (126 lbs.), Hartz (132 lbs.), Alphonso Escamilia (138 lbs.), Altrath (144 lbs.), Dean (165 lbs.), Spikes (175 lbs.), and Jones (285 lbs.).
VHSL Zone 2 Girls Qualifier
Varsity wrestler Charlotte Kirby returned to the mat to compete in the VHSL Zone 2 Girls Qualifier that was hosted held Friday, Jan. 31 and Saturday, Feb. 1, at Kellum High School in Virginia Beach.
Kirby (152 lbs.) won over Goochland’s Ella Adamson in the third-place match to place third overall in her weight class and will move on to the state tournament with her teammates.
State tournament
The entire varsity wrestling team qualified for the state tournament. Kirby will be competing in the girl’s state tournament later on this month, which will be Feb. 26 and Feb. 27 at the Henrico Sports Complex. The rest of the team will compete at the state tournament from Feb. 21 and Feb. 22 in Virginia Beach.
Karl Dean holds up a finger in celebration after defeating Randy Smith II of Hampton to win his weight class.
Corey Skay puts the moves on his opponent, Miles Lampert of Jamestown. Skay won the match, making him regional champion in his weight class.