A tri-meet hosted by Covenant’s wrestling team Tuesday night ended favorably for the Eagles as they dominated Randolph Macon Academy and Grace Christian Academy to win a pair of duals on the night.
The double victory was another in a string of impressive showings by the young Eagles team that has had to lean on a solid senior class for leadership.
“We have a lot of young guys and a very young team so our seniors have been critical in providing leadership,” coach Colin Anderson said.
The tri-meet was also Senior Night, honoring several key members of the program between the first and second matches.
Among the seniors was Zach Scharf, an undisputed leader on the Covenant squad who draws high praise from his coaches. Scharf has currently piled up 137 career wins, the second most in Covenant wrestling history with the rest of his senior year still ahead of him. On Tuesday night he posted two wins, a pin against Randolph Macon and a forfeit against Grace Christian.
The other seniors also had big nights on the mat. Tyler Powell won a fierce matchup in the 152 pound weight class against Randolph Macon immediately after Jack Veliky dominated the 145 pound weight class earning a pin and six points for the Eagles en route to a 57-22 victory over the Yellow Jackets.
Covenant’s second matchup was a stage for the team’s younger members. The first bout was freshman heavyweight Rick Weaver’s and he won by decision in the third period. Then, later in the match, freshman Reilly Willetts stepped up in a grueling three-period bout. Willetts lost a nail-biter but held Grace Christian to just three points and the Eagles took the second match 59-24.
“[The seniors have been great] as coaches teaching the younger guys and really just leading them in the right ways, on the mat and off the mat,” Anderson said. ”I’m really proud of the seniors, they have represented our team and program well.”
With an impressive regular season under their belts, Covenant is now pointed toward the VISAA championships.
“I’m really excited about the young guys,” Anderson said. “Next year seems like a ways away, we’ll start thinking about that the day after States. We’re excited about where our program is headed.”
