The Shadow
BUENA VISTA, Va. (VR) – The Chargers opened its fourth season with a strong showing at the Blues Invitational, finishing third as a team and leaving Parry McCluer with two standout performances at the top. Junior AJ Woodson repeated as Blues Invitational champion, going 3–0 with three first-round pins. “Anger Woo,” the program’s first-ever tournament champion back in 2023, looked dominant from start to finish. Freshman Jesse Perry made an immediate varsity impact, going 5–0 in his first high school tournament. He outscored five opponents 58–5 with two techfalls, two pins, and a major decision. Senior Jeremy Burns added a 4–1 day with four first-period pins. Sophomore Tyler Shaver finished 3–1 with three pins, and Harris Ellis went 3–2 with two pins over Staunton. Azi Tyson, Emily Robertson, Zach Bryant, and Easton Roberts all contributed strong early-season mat time.
The youth program showed major progress, going 1–1 in its opening outing. Colton Kershner, Luca Cucci, Isaiah Brinkley, Parker Black, Emmanuel Essex, and Malachi Essex all went 2–0. A large group—including Nathiah Wilson, Easton Durrette, Eva Brinkley, Ryder and Hunter Shaver, Lukas Doyle, and Ella Cucci—finished 1–1, with Ella earning a pin in her return. Across the board, first-time wrestlers like Kingston Turner, Annabelle Perry, Conner Black, and Rafa Helton continued to develop with each match.
In varsity duals later in the week, the team dropped matches to Lord Botetourt and Pulaski due to forfeits but collected several individual wins. Azi Tyson earned MVP honors after a statement win against LB and a comeback pin against Pulaski to go 2–0. Woodson and Ethan Bryant also went 2–0, with Burns, Perry, and Shaver all finishing 1–1.
