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Injuries have been a key part of the 2019-20 story for Randolph-Henry High School’s (R-H) varsity wrestling team, and this continued to be the case this past weekend at the Virginia High School League Class 2 State Championships in Salem.

Statesmen freshman Brycen Arbogast was ranked first in the state at the Class 2 level in the 106-pound weight class, but his tournament ended early.

“Brycen ended up getting severely injured in his first match,” R-H Head Coach Zack Mowery said, later indicating he thinks it was a hamstring injury. “… He was told he was unable to continue, and that was it. The trainers make that call.”

Arbogast was projected to face Strasburg High School’s Ethan Asher in the final. Asher ended up winning the title by a 3-2 decision against Daniel Parkulo of Stuarts Draft High School.

“I feel like we had the best 106-pounder in the state without a doubt, but you can’t prevent that stuff,” Mowery said of the injury. “You never know when it’s going to happen, and stuff happens.”

The coach said he feels sorry for Arbogast, who has battled injury all season long and was sidelined for essentially two months during the regular season. But Mowery said he expects Arbogast to bounce back and continue what is already an outstanding career.

Statesmen senior Danny Parrish was allowed to continue wrestling at states despite having an injured knee. He ended up going 4-2, placing fifth in the 170-pound weight class.

“The kid is wrestling on a torn (lateral collateral ligament),” Mowery said. “The warrior mentality that he brought was just something I’ll never forget as a coach. That kid pushed through everything — knee brace on, knee taped up, just essentially wrestling on one leg, never gave up.”

Mowery said the two matches Parrish lost were by decision, with scores like 5-2 and 5-3.

“I love that kid to death,” Mowery said. “I can’t say enough about him. I could put an ad out about Danny Parrish in the newspaper. He’s been a pleasure to coach for five years.”

The coach said he has worked with Parrish since Parrish was in middle school.

“He’s taken fourth in middle school states, he’s a three-time state qualifier, he’s a state finalist, he’s a state place winner, he’s a Super States champion, he’s won 147 matches in (the) Virginia High School League,” Mowery said. “He has had a good run. He has been the staple of our program since ninth grade. He will dearly be missed by me.”

Parrish, who has been wrestling injured since a Jan. 3 match, finished his senior campaign with a 40-12 overall record.