1. Frank W. Cox
Cox begins the season as the team to beat in Virginia’s AAA classification. The Falcons are led by a new coach, Matt Small, who replaces Corey Williams. Small moves over from Grassfield where he established the Grizzlies into a state power in less than two years.

Joining Small in the Cox room are many new faces who should fortify the Falcon’s lineup. Returning AAA State Champion and Junior National All-American Caleb Richardson has followed Small from Grassfield. The Falcons have also added additional firepower in National Prep Runner-up Bryan Whitt and returning AAA state placers Michael Chalfant and Conor O’Hara. Eastern Regional place winner Dashon Eure and Eastern District Champ Taylor Bishop also have transferred to the school on Shore Drive.

Not all the talent in the Cox room is new. Ben Dorsay is a two time defending state champ and a Beast of the East placer. Also, returning for the Falcons is Eastern Region place finisher Joey Demassi, Beach District Runner-up Jackson Rust, nationally ranked Ross Burbank and Beach District placers Cody Stageberg and Stephen Boyser.

In addition to being the clear cut number one AAA team, the Falcons have the potential to challenge Christiansburg for the overall number one state ranking and challenge for a national team ranking.

2. Robinson
The number two ranked Robinson Rams will be led by Roman Perryman who has placed in the top three in the state the past three years and was a 2007 state champion. The Rams other two state place winners from last season are state and freshman national runner-up Jake Smith and Charlie Vannoy. State qualifiers Wes Jones and Ben Stallings also return as does Regional place finisher Mickey Bennett.

Like Cox the Rams have also added some considerable talent. AA State Champion Jacob Crawford has transferred to the Fairfax school as has national prep placer Jonathan Simmons, and AAA state qualifier Brooks Martino. Coach Bryan Hazard’s lightweights will also be strengthened by the addition of youth standout Dallas Smith.

The Rams have the material to make a run for their first title in twenty-five years should Cox falter. It should be noted the 2010 state tournament will be hosted by Robinson. This is the same home venue where the John Epperly coached Rams captured that 1985 state title.

3. Westfield
The defending Northern Region Champion Bulldogs are led by returning state champion Austin Fallon and Nick Grinups, who finished 3rd in the state last year and 5th the previous year. Kyle Arnold also placed in the state meet last year and Kevin Koch is a 2008 state place finisher. Also back are returning state qualifiers John Orchard Hayes and Brett Campbell, as well as regional medalists Harry Van Trees and Anthony Garmindia. Coach Hoskins Bulldogs should also get some production from a strong freshman class, as result of Westfield’s fine youth program—the Nova Mat Dawgs. Expect Westfield to battle it out with their Concorde District foe, Robinson, for the District and Regional team championships. This is a talented and battle-tested Westfield team that has potential to bring home a trophy from the state meet.

4. Colonial Forge
The three time defending state champions were hard hit by graduation. However, the cupboard is far from empty at the Forge and the Eagles have repeatedly shown they can rebuild as quickly as anyone. The Eagles return three state place winners Demetri Cox, David Reck and Nick Emison. The Forge also has returning state qualifier Son Nguyen and former state qualifier Brett Garrison back for their senior seasons. Also, returning are Northwest Region Medalists Sabir Hague and Scott Reilly and district runner-up Matt Marino. Coach Swink’s team will also rely on a combination of unsung veterans who have paid their dues on the Forge B-team and a talented freshman class courtesy of Powerhouse Wrestling Academy and the Stafford Highlanders.

5. Kellam
The Kellam Knights start the season in the number five slot. The Knights are coming off a spectacular season where they captured both the Beach District Title and Eastern Region Title and finished 3rd in the state. Coach Benzel’s team graduated a lot of talent, but the Knights always rebuild well because of their fine youth program, the “Mat Rats” and excellent coaching. Kellam returns two state place finishers, State Runner-up Aaron Runzo and state semi-finalist Austin D’Amico. Also, returning is state qualifier Tanner Ketcherside, and district place winners Brennan O’Shea and Oliver Olivas. Also, look for strong seasons from returning starters Teddy Cesnar, Ross Benzel, and Hunter Walsh. Finally, expect some additional points from a strong Knight Freshman class that includes middle school state champ Turner Bishop and Beach City Champions Zion Gregory and Hayden Felch.

6. Kempsville
Returning state place winners Jeremy Mosely, Bryce Barnes and Eric Brown lead the way for the Chiefs. Sean Early’s squad also has a strong supporting cast including Hayden Bills, Zac Isenhour, Khiry Bell, Bobby Gray, and Matt Brown. Kempsville should be a well balanced dual team that also has the potential to score well in the post-season events. Kempsville will look to challenge Cox and Kellam in the Beach District and Eastern Region.

7. Hanover
Aaron Bradley’s Hanover Hawks return two state place winners from last year: Gabe LaVey and Kyle Locke. The Hawks also have added AA State Champion Patrik Foxworth and fellow AA state place winner Tanner Tinsley. Also, in the fold are three time AAA State Qualifier Ben Wilson and fellow returning state qualifiers Kevin Keck and Connor Harrison. Hanover should be the favorite in the Central Region and has the potential to challenge for a trophy at the state meet.

8. Franklin County
The Franklin County Eagles return ten starters and have the potential for one of their best teams in years. Junior Hunter Adams is a returning state runner-up and James Smith also medaled at the state meet. Returning state qualifiers: James Bisnett; Andrew Turner and Jonathan Jones will all attempt to be on the state tournament podium come February. In addition to the above-mentioned wrestlers Emmanuel Brown’s team returns four other wrestlers who won Western Valley District Championships last season. Franklin County will attempt to end Colonial Forge’s eight year winning streak in the Northwest Region and have the potential to bring a state trophy home to Rocky Mount.

9. Grassfield
Grassfield filled the vacancy created by Small’s departure to Cox, by hiring Jody Staylor, as his replacement. Staylor, a Great Bridge product and a former NCAA Division I runner-up, is one of the most decorated wrestlers in the Commonwealth’s history. Austin Hurst, also a former Great Bridge product, has transferred to Grassfield and will help boost the young program. Hurst is a two time state placer including a 3rd place finish last year. Returning for Grassfield is state qualifier Jacob Hoagland. Look for major contributions from Ryan Fairbee and Dennis King. Freshman Camden Anderson should also make an immediate impact on the state level.

10. Forest Park
Seth Cameron’s Bruins look to make some noise this season after a rebuilding year with a young team. Forest Park returns state place winner Isaac Riddle. Sheridan Stackpole and Patrick Budd are both returning state qualifiers. Budd was also a Cadet All-American in Greco-Roman this past summer. Also, back for the Bruins are Northwest Regional place winners Jacob Kingett and Skyler Trumpower. Forest Park has also added two impact transfers, returning regional champ Jorge Mendez and regional place winner Lucas Rider. Freshman Thomas Aloi is a former middle school state champion.

Honorable Mention Teams: Great Bridge, James River, Hayfield, Matoaca, and Hopewell