With the VHSL only taking the top two competitors in each weight class from each region — just the region champ and the region runner-up — it’s pretty challenging to qualify for the state tournament.
A trio of William Monroe wrestlers found a way to make it happen Friday.
Kaleb Doshier led the way for the Dragons with a region championship victory at 152 pounds. The junior pinned his first opponent in the quarterfinals, then promptly pinned his semifinal foe and made it a quick day with another pin in the championship, beating Sam Cooper of Independence High.
Teammates Chris Taft and Ethan Marcotte joined Doshier as state qualifiers with runner-up finishes, with Taft taking second at 145 and Marcotte grabbing second at heavyweight. While Taft didn’t have to wrestle to grab second, Marcotte had to go toe-to-toe for the state berth after getting pinned in the final. Marcotte managed a 3-1 sudden victory win to punch his ticket to Salem.
In a non-COVID year, Connor Redieske’s third place at 132 and Garrett Morris’ fourth place at 138 pounds would’ve been enough to qualify for states. Connor Marcotte rounded out the Dragons’ effort with a sixth place at 220 pounds.
Goochland didn’t manage to qualify a wrestler for states, but Ayden Doczi took Ethan Marcotte to the brink in the heavyweight runner-up match. Five other wrestlers took fourth for the Bulldogs — Jordan Duke at 113, John Summitt at 132, Max Moreno at 145, Cody Vincent at 152 and Riley Hite at 160.
