Anongos delivers title to Rapids

James River's Jared Anongos (top) defeated Hanover's Ben Wilson to win the Central Region 135-pound title. The Rapids also won the team championship.

If James River coach Mark Helberg could have chosen a wrestler to be lock up the Central Region championship in his home gym, senior Jared Anongos would have been the one.

Chance chose Anongos, however, and the 135-pounder, the most experienced winner in Virginia High School League history, won yet again.

"There's no such thing as a sure thing in wrestling," Helberg said. "But there are matches you come to count on. . . . It was poetic."

Helberg's most reserved wrestler won his fourth region title. The win also guaranteed James River the team championship.

"It was kind of a relief," Anongos said. "Mixed with happiness and excitement, all at the same time."

James River led Hanover in the team chase by nine points entering the championship finals with two of the Rapids' four finalists facing the Hawks head to head. With wins from Anongos and senior Jordan Dix at 130 pounds, the Rapids pulled out a 172.5-161.5 victory.

At 103 pounds, Hanover senior Spencer Alexander jumped out to a six-point lead and won a 9-4 decision over Rapids freshman Brayden Manchester.

"I got beaten as a sophomore in the finals," Alexander said. "Then, I got upset as a junior, so I definitely wanted this. I was looking forward to it."

Sophomore Gabe LaVey was a 6-0 winner for Hanover at 125 pounds against Henrico's James Williams and the last of Hanover's four finalists to win.

"It's always good to bring home a couple of individual titles," Hanover coach Aaron Bradley said. "Even if you can't take the big one home."

Dix captured his third region title, winning by decision over Dominion District rival Brendan Crawley. And Anongos took on Hanover senior Ben Wilson for the tournament title at 135 pounds.

"It's nice afterward, when you actually win," Anongos said. "Before, you try not to think about it as much before."

Anongos got the first takedown of the match at the edge of the circle, earning boos from the visiting fans. Wilson scored on a pair of escapes, but Anongos pulled away to career win 211, pushing him further into the VHSL record book.

He claimed his fourth region championship minutes before Matoaca sophomore Blake Roulo lost 4-0 loss to Hopewell freshman Cody Allala. That 145-pound championship was a repeat of the Central District final.

Hermitage took third with two individual winners, as well. Seniors Marc Heathcock and Josh El took back-to-back titles at 171 and 189.