The Poquoson Islanders reclaimed the VHSL Class 2 state wrestling championship that had eluded them for the past three seasons, leaving no doubt as they cruised to a decisive victory in the 38-team field Saturday at Virginia High in Bristol.
It marked a return to the state-champion form that Poquoson previously enjoyed, as the Islanders won in the four seasons from 2018-2021. The Islanders totaled 242.5 points, far ahead of Strasburg, who was the runner-up with 173. Central, from King and Queen County, placed third with 114.
Overcoming Strasburg, which had won the championship for the past three years, was supposed to be Poquoson’s biggest obstacle. But with the recent snow hitting southeastern Virginia region, all six of the VHSL divisions were forced to break arrangements with their previous sites and find a capable high school to host their tournament. For the Islanders, this resulted in a relocation of their meet from Salem (260 miles away) to the Virginia/Tennessee border city of Bristol (394 miles), nearly a six-hour drive from Bull Island, according to Google Maps.
An early arrival to Bristol allowed the 13 Poquoson wrestlers time to stretch, rest and acclimate to their rustic surroundings. But placing nine wrestlers in the finals and building a 74-point lead over their cross-state rival was just as beneficial, and Strasburg had only three grapplers in the championship round, effectively clinching the title for the Islanders before the final series of matches.
Glen Parker
Kam Harrell, shown earlier in his career, became one of the Islanders’ 2025 state Class 2 champs. COURTESY OF GLEN PARKER
Kam Harrell won Poquoson’s first individual title in the first bout, at 106 pounds, with a 12-0 major decision over Riverheads’ Mason Wood. At 113, Brayden Bunting, who won the region final, was on the short end of a 12-3 major decision to Xaiden Wynn of Buchanan’s James River High, who improved his season mark to 40-1.
Poquoson’s Logan Keesee, a finalist last season, fell just short again, dropping an 8-3 decision to Nandua’s Dylan Padgett (27-3 on the season) in the 120-pound final.
However, the Islanders’ three returning champions were up next for coach Eric Decker’s team.
At 132, Jared Goodson (37-4) won his bout over Wise County Central’s Brayden Owsley, who entered with a 35-1 season record. It was Goodson’s third straight Class 2 championship, after winning at 113 and 126 pounds in his freshman and sophomore campaigns, respectively.
Bryan Latta captured the 144-pound bracket with an 8-0 major decision over Strasburg’s Peyton Dean as the Islanders crossed the 240-point plateau. Last year, Latta won the 138-pound crown.
Reed Booth (35-3) also topped a Strasburg opponent in the 150-pound final, scoring a 17-2 technical fall over Lucas Martinez.
A near-win for Poquoson came at 157 as Christian Leonard built up a 6-2 lead early in the third and final period, only to have Ian Ray of Lebanon earn two three-point takedowns in 90 seconds and eke out a 9-7 victory.
By now, time became another factor for the wrestlers as the clock rolled past midnight, a result of having Class 1 and 2 compete together on the same day, making it the only Virginia championship to bundle its competitions at the same venue.
In the Islanders’ other two final matches, at 175, Nathaniel Quiroz fell to Radford’s Cole Martin in a 10-0 major decision, while at 190, Austin Conley lost by a 16-1 technical fall to Chase Miller of Glenvar.
Other top-four finishers for Poquoson included Brayden Agnese (third at 215) and Darek Kennedy (fourth at 165).
Bruton also represented the Hampton Roads region and placed 32nd with seven points. Cre-Shawn Keitt (215) reached the quarterfinals but lost and finished in the consolation round. Keitt recorded two falls before being eliminated by Agnese.
Bruton freshman Jamin Davidson (106) also finished in the consolation round after dropping his opening bout.
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