Wrestling: Loudoun Wrestlers Claim 5 Individual VHSL Region 5D Titles

Ashburn, Va. — Independence High School freshman Anthony Ciotoli (106), Woodgrove High School freshman Sawyer Jones (120), Stone Bridge High School senior Zachary Burton (157), Independence High School senior Rafael Hipolito (165), and Riverside High School junior Gift Nwokoro (215) all claimed individual titles in their respective weight classes at the VHSL Region 5D championships on February 11 in Ashburn.

Ciotoli won a close 2-0 decision over Riverbend freshman Noah Rankin at 106 pounds to start the championship rounds, before his teammate Hipolito pinned Riverbend senior Logan Eastman in the first period of the 165-pound bout.

“I feel very accomplished that all my hard work paid off in this tournament,” Hipolito said. “It was really cool for the region championships to be at Independence, so I could put on a show for my family and friends.”

Jones also earned a first-period fall when he pinned Independence sophomore Luke Johnson with 14 seconds left in the first period.

“I’m a freshman, but I hold myself to high expectations,” Jones said. “This was the plan today. I just went in with a killer mindset.”

Burton won a 7-2 decision over Mountain View junior Elijah Beltran to give the Bulldogs their fourth podium finish of the evening.

Then, in what was probably the most intense match of the championship rounds, Nwokoro went toe-to-toe with Briar Woods senior Ethan Lan. Leading 6-3 with less than 30 seconds left, Nwokoro reversed a shot attempt by Lan to earn a takedown and eventually win the match 8-3.

“Ethan is a great wrestler, and he took a lot of great shots, but I was able to defend him and create my own attacks,” Nwokoro said. “I’ve been working hard at practice, and this is just the result of that hard work.”

Mike Ferrara captured 75+ photos at the championships!

Complete Region 5D Championship results…

106-pound

113-pound

120-pound

126-pound

132-pound

138-pound

144-pound

150-pound

157-pound

165-pound

175-pound

190-pound

215-pound

285-pound