December 4th 2021
Montea, V.A.—The Virginia high school wrestling season got off to a start this week. Moneta, Virginia’s Staunton River opened up the season hosting the 2021 River Rumble Wrestling Tournament. The Golden Eagles were fully loaded minus their 170lbs starter Josh Kelly, who is out right now due to an injury in this freshman heavy line up. Fargo All American and Freshman Colin Martin would get it started in the finals with a first period stick of Salem’s Owen Page in the 106lbs weight class. Martin was pretty pleased about his performance in getting his first varsity tournament win especially as a freshman. ”It feels pretty good to win the home tournament especially as a freshman and I’m looking for more tournaments to win during the year“ Martin said.
He also talked about his drill partner, Noah Nininger who’s helped him reach high levels over the off season. “Noah is a good partner who’s helped prepare me this season and if I can score on him I know I can score on anybody” Noah Nininger as just mentioned, is another Golden Eagle freshman who followed Martin winning the tournament at 113lbs with a first period stick of his own over Chris Schoffstall a junior from Liberty Christian Academy. Nininger was a middle school Super 32 Champion and a Fargo All American. He didn’t think it was the best competition but thought it was nice to just have people to wrestle. “It was a good warm-up tournament but not the best competition to wrestle but it was still bodies to wrestle, most of the kids didn’t know the right reactions which was frustrating” Nininger said.
Nininger went on to say that he expects to win the state championship this year. The Golden Eagles would have two back to back six place finishes at 126lbs and 132lbs with freshmans Josh Bomgarner and Peyton Hatcher. Macon Murch a Junior placed third at 138lbs. Logan Arnold won by injury default over Brian Honeycutt of EC Glass at 145lbs. Freshman, Brandy Barnes took the ship at 152lbs with a stick of Layne Waldron of Blacksburg.
Barnes saw this tournament as a big confidence boost. “I really feel confident winning this tournament especially the team as a whole. I think that it was good that we performed this well in our home tournament“ Barnes said. Macon Ayers would place 3rd at 160lbs with a stick over Senior, Jordan Scott of Liberty Christian Academy. Austin Powell placed sixth at 182lbs and Aiden Connor would come in third at 195lbs. Hunter Brown would win the tournament at 220lbs with a massive 22 second stick of Jacob Ford of Rustburg. Brennan Martin work come in fourth at 285lbs.
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