R-H takes 4th at Classic
Published 10:18 am Wednesday, January 23, 2019
- Randolph-Henry High School’s varsity wrestling team had three wrestlers place in the top three of their respective weight classes at The Court House Classic on Saturday in Charlotte County. Pictured are, from left, senior Billy French, who placed third; senior John Wendelin, who placed first; and junior Chandler Newcomb, who placed third. Senior Layton Payne also medaled, placing fourth.
Randolph-Henry High School’s varsity wrestling team hosted its annual tournament, The Court House Classic, on Saturday and finished fourth out of the 16 teams participating.
“(The) kids wrestled outstanding,” Statesmen Head Coach Zack Mowery said, though they were not all at 100 percent. “… I sat Danny Parrish due to a nagging back injury.”
Grabbing the spotlight for Randolph-Henry was senior John Wendelin, who was the lone Statesman to win his weight class during the classic.
“That kid’s been with me since he was in middle school — that’s the best I’ve ever seen the boy wrestle,” Mowery said. “I bumped him up a weight class. I bumped him up from 126 to 132, and he did fantastic.”
Randolph-Henry senior Billy French and junior Chandler Newcomb each placed third.
“Layton Payne beat a returning state qualifier from Bluestone in the second round for a huge win,” Mowery said. “Layton has been a very hard worker this season, (and it’s) starting to pay off with wins against state qualifiers. (I’m) proud of all the boys this past weekend.”
Newcomb wrestled despite dealing with a hand injury.
The Statesmen compete in the James River District Championship on Thursday at Nottoway High School, but Mowery noted this event does not have much consequence in wrestling, and he will likely rest some of his athletes.
A match at Poquoson High School will be the next major event for Randolph-Henry, according to Mowery, who said he is seeking to have all of his wrestlers healthy in time for the regional tournament Feb. 2.
He said The Court House Classic continues to grow, and he expects it to feature 24 teams next year.