Pantaleo

Gentry

High school winter sports previews: Wrestling

Date published: 11/30/2007

BY JIM McCONNELL

It took Colonial Forge eight years to reach the pinnacle of Group AAA wrestling, so the Eagles are in no hurry to come back down.

Colonial Forge ended Great Bridge's stranglehold on the state championship in February, using an impressive display of depth to beat the runner-up Wildcats by 171/2 points. After savoring their accomplishment for a couple days, the Eagles went back to work in their offseason program and started laying the foundation for another championship season.

"We've been fortunate that when we set our goals and we accomplish them, we don't go backwards," Colonial Forge coach Bill Swink said. "We set the expectations high and they know that's what we expect. If you're not working to achieve that, you kind of don't fit in."

If complacency isn't an issue, neither is talent.

For most wrestling programs, replacing five state place-winners--including a champion (Matt Reck) and a runner-up (Phillip Chichester)--would prompt a major rebuilding project. For Colonial Forge, it's little more than a historical footnote.

That's because the Eagles, who are ranked 20th nationally by WIN magazine and 26th by Amateur Wrestling News, return a core group of veterans that could be the most skilled in school history.

Senior Joe Pantaleo, state champion at 125 pounds last season, carries a 116-31 career record into his pursuit of the 135-pound title this season.

Juniors Michael Garofalo (119) and Max Huntley (189) both finished second in their respective weight classes at last year's state meet. Classmate Shane Gentry (112) was third.

Senior Oscar Huntley (171) placed fourth in the state last season despite essentially wrestling on one leg. Finally recovered from a torn ACL suffered last fall, Huntley also expects to challenge for a state title.

"Everyone in the room is getting better, so it's easier to push each other," he said. "You always have a good partner to work out with."

Colonial Forge's already-loaded lineup got even better with the addition of two transfers from Group AA powerhouse Christiansburg. When their father accepted a job at the Pentagon, Ian and Drew Squires moved from the New River Valley to Stafford County and traded one state championship team for another.

Drew Squires won a state title last year at 125 pounds. Ian Squires was sixth at 119. The juniors' combined varsity record is 163-41.

This week, The Free Lance-Star previews high school winter sports. Here is the schedule: WEDNESDAY: Gymnastics YESTERDAY: Indoor track TODAY: Swimming, wrestling TOMORROW: Girls basketball SUNDAY: Boys basketball

Date published: 11/30/2007