Martino Wins Third Northwest Title
By Paul Frommelt
Prince William Content Manager
pfrommelt@digitalsports.com
This much is certain for Battlefield’s Beau Martino — winning a title means wrestling Fauquier’s Ryan Hunsberger. Over the past three years, Martino has wrestled Hunsberger eight times. Last year, Martino met Hunsberger in the 103-pound Cedar Run District, Northwest Region and AAA Virginia state finals and won all three times. This year, both moved up to the 112-pound weight class and the story has remained the same. Martino celebrated his third-consecutive Northwest Region title on Saturday with a 6-1 overtime decision over Hunsberger — one week after besting the Falcons’ junior in the district tournament.
“It’s a tough match every time,” said Martino, who sports a 6-2 record over Hunsberger. “I go out there, I just know that I have to wrestle hard against him. He’s a real good wrestler. I expect that every time, it’s going to be close.”
As with the majority on their matches, Saturday’s final was a close contest. The first three periods ended with a 1-1 tie, each earning an escape for the only points of the match. In the first overtime period, however, Martino scored a takedown and nearly pinned the Falcons’ wrestler, earning three more back points and the victory.
After the final whistle blew, Martino jumped up and pumped his fist.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “The second [title] felt the best, but this one isn’t far behind.”
Martino will enter the AAA Virginia state finals as the top seed at 112. The second seed? Hunsberger.
“I wouldn’t doubt it,” said Martino when asked if he expects to see Hunsberger again this year. “I want to be a two-time state champion. That is my goal.”
Mendez Wins First Title, Weatherington Takes 2nd
All throughout the week, Freedom’s Jorge Mendez fantasized about being in the Northwest Region finals. The two-time Cardinal District champion wanted to know what it would feel like to compete on that kind of stage. After Mendez’s 5-2 victory over North Stafford’s Jesse Wiley in the 189-pound finals, he now knows what it feels like to not only compete on that stage, but to win.
“You can’t compare it,” said Mendez after being asked to compare his two district titles to his new Northwest crown. “I wanted to live up to my own expectations and what I can do.”
Woodbridge’s Jay Weatherington missed his introduction during a pre-finals ceremony on Saturday night. You’ll have to excuse the Vikings’ heavyweight, he’s never competed in a region finals match. He’s never wrestled in Northwest Region meet. In fact, before this year, Weatherington had never even stepped on a mat.
The senior, who has a full football scholarship to Liberty University, spoke with Woodbridge head football coach Keith King after the football season about a way to stay in shape during the offseason. King told him to give wrestling a try.
“He said, ‘Wrestle, It’s free and you will be in the best shape of your life.’ I went and tried it and I liked it a lot,” said Weatherington.
He’s was also pretty darn good.
After winning the Cardinal District title, Weatherington found himself in the Northwest Region finals after a dramatic pin over Brooke Point’s Nick Martin in the semifinals.
“It’s a lot of strength and a little bit of skill and a lot of luck,” said Weatherington when asked of his wrestling style.
Although he lost in a 4-0 decision against Liberty’s Korey Gough in the finals, Weatherington advances to his first-ever state tournament next week.
As for what wrestling has taught the football star this year: “It’s the hardest six minutes of my life.”
Weatherington was one of three Prince William wrestlers to take second place at the championships. Osbourn Park’s Eric Dromazos took the silver at 119 pounds and Beau’s younger brother, freshman Brooks Martino nearly kept the 103-pound title in the family, placing second to Fauquier’s Greg Flournoy.
Other area wrestlers placing in the top four were, Forest Park’s Issac Riddle (4th, 112), Battlefield’s Matt Bowman (3rd, 130), Stonewall Jackson’s Luke Olsen (3rd, 140), Forest Park’s Sheridan Stackpole (4th, 140), Gar-Field’s A.J. Baggott (4th, 145), Forest Park’s Patrick Budd (3rd, 152), Woodbridge’s Matt Smith (4th, 152), Battlefield’s Peter Psihas (3rd, 215) and Forest Park’s Christian Botero (4th, 285).
Battlefield had the best team finish for Prince William, placing fourth with 107 points. Forest Park came in sixth with 96.50 points, while Woodbridge finished ninth with 72.50 points.
Northwest Region Wrestling Finals — Interactive Results
Click on the event to view highlights of the match.
103-Pound Weight Class
Greg Flournoy (Fauquier) def. Brooks Martino (Battlefield), Dec. 5-1
112-Pound Weight Class
Beau Martino (Battlefield) def. Ryan Hunsberger (Fauquier), Dec. 1-1, 5-0
119-Pound Weight Class
Shane Gentry (Colonial Forge) def. Eric Dromazos (Osbourn Park), MD 16-3
125-Pound Weight Class
Michael Garogalo (Colonial Forge) def. Gary Woods II (Riverbend), TF 21-8, 4:43
130-Pound Weight Class
Ian Squires (Colonial Forge) def. Derek Mainville (Brooke Point), MD 9-0
135-Pound Weight Class
Conner Miller (Fauquier) def. Drew Squires (Colonial Forge), DFLT 5-0, 5:32
140-Pound Weight Class
Hunter Adams (Franklin County) def. Neil McGuire (Fauquier), MD 12-4
145-Pound Weight Class
Donny Santiso (Massaponax) def. Nick Emison (Colonial Forge), Dec. 1-1, 2-0
152-Pound Weight Class
Chris Moon (Fauquier) def. David Reck (Colonial Forge), Dec. 3-1
160-Pound Weight Class
Daniel McGillvray (Fauquier) def. James Bisnett (Franklin County), MD 9-0
171-Pound Weight Class
Conor Black (Mountain View) def. James Barr (Colonial Forge), Dec. 5-1
189-Pound Weight Class
Jorge Mendez (Freedom) def. Jesse Wiley (North Stafford), Dec. 5-2
215-Pound Weight Class
Nick Perelli (Mountain View) def. Demetri Cox (Colonial Forge)
285-Pound Weight Class
Korey Gough (Liberty) def. Jay Weatherington (Woodbridge) Dec. 4-0
Individual Medal Winners
Click on the weight class to view a photo of the winners.
103-Pound Weight Class
1. Greg Flournoy, Fauquier
2. Brooks Martino, Battlefield
3. Andrew Turner, Franklin County
4. Son Nguyen, Colonial Forge
112-Pound Weight Class
1. Beau Martino, Battlefield
2. Ryan Hunsberger, Fauquier
3. Dakota Thompson, North Stafford
4. Isaac Riddle, Forest Park
119-Pound Weight Class
1. Shane Gentry, Colonial Forge
2. Eric Dromazos, Osbourn Park
3. Joe Etcho, Riverbend
4. Kevin Maenz, Mountain View
125-Pound Weight Class
1. Michael Garofalo, Colonial Forge
2. Gary Woods II, Riverbend
3. Andrew Richards, Fauquier
4. Rudy Ramos, North Stafford
130-Pound Weight Class
1. Ian Squires, Colonial Forge
2. Derek Mainville, Brooke Point
3. Matt Bowman, Battlefield
4. Jakob Seely, Fauquier
135-Pound Weight Class
1. Conner Miller, Fauquier
2. Drew Squires, Colonial Forge
3. Matt Thompson, North Stafford
4. Paul Riedel, Loudoun Valley
140-Pound Weight Class
1. Hunter Adams, Franklin County
2. Neil McGuire, Fauquier
3. Luke Olsen, Stonewall Jackson
4. Sheridan Stackpole, Forest Park
145-Pound Weight Class
1. Donny Santiso, Massaponax
2. Nick Emison, Colonial Forge
3. James Smith, Franklin County
4. A.J. Baggott, Gar-Field
152-Pound Weight Class
1. Chris Moon, Fauquier
2. David Reck, Colonial Forge
3. Patrick Budd, Forest Park
4. Matt Smith, Woodbridge
160-Pound Weight Class
1. Daniel McGillvray, Fauquier
2. James Bisnett, Franklin County
3. Christian Kagarise, Colonial Forge
4. Errick O’Canas, Massaponax
171-Pound Weight Class
1. Conor Black, Mountain View
2. James Barr, Colonial Forge
3. Christian Banghart, Moutain View
4. Jesse Jenkins, William Fleming
189-Pound Weight Class
1. Jorge Mendz, Freedom
2. Jesse Wiley, North Stafford
3. Christian Banghart, Mountain View
4. Garrett Swankowski, Loudoun Valley
215-Pound Weight Class
1. Nick Perelli, Mountain View
2. Demetri Cox, Colonial Forge
3. Peter Psihas, Battlefield
4. Spenser Bopp, Stafford
285-Pound Weight Class
1. Korey Gough, Liberty
2. Jay Weatherington, Woodbridge
3. Nick Martin, Brooke Point
4. Christian Botero, Forest Park
Team Scores
1. Colonial Forge High School, 245.00
2. Fauquier High School, 194.00
3. Franklin County High School, 129.00
4. Battlefield High School, 107.00
5. Mountain View High School, 102.00
6. Forest Park High School, 96.50
7. Loudoun Valley High School, 82.50
8. North Stafford High School, 75.00
9. Woodbridge High School, 72.50
10. Liberty High School, 57.00
11. Brooke Point High School, 56.00
12. Riverbend High School, 52.00
13. Massaponax High School, 51.00
14. Stonewall Jackson High School, 44.00
15. Stafford High School, 38.50
16. Osbourn Park High School, 37.00
17. William Fleming High School, 35.00
18. C.D. Hylton High School, 29.50
19. Albemarle High School, 28.50
20. Halifx County High School, 27.00
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