The bus ride from South Riding to Salem - the site of the Group AA state wrestling tournament - was one filled with anticipation and high expectations for Freedom High School’s wrestling team.

The ride back was filled with joy, expressed thoroughly by the kids and especially Freedom’s coach Kent Nagy. “We are very happy about how we did as team and I am extremely proud of the kids,” Nagy said. “We always talk about aiming high. If you just miss on your goal, you do so at a very high level.”

It’s hard to say anything was really a miss when it comes to the wrestling season for Freedom though. After a Dulles District championship and fourth-place finish in the region, the Eagles took home 12th place in the state wrestling tournament Feb. 18-19. 

It’s the Eagles’ highest finish at states in school history. Freedom finished just eight points out of 10th place, the team’s preseason goal.

“We really made a lot of progress and finishing 12th is very difficult to do when you come through Region II, and you have less kids competing compared to other schools,” Nagy said.

Freedom senior Sean Gaetani and junior DaQuante Timbers both finished third overall in their respective weight classes.  Gaetani produced a 3-1 record at 130 pounds, while Timbers won four of five matches at 285 pounds.

Timbers completed the season with a 49-3 record and reached 100 wins for his career at the state tourney.

Freedom’s Michael Hosti placed sixth at 135 pounds, while Tyler Young (152) also won a match for the Eagles.

Despite a rocky first day on the mat, Gaetani was able to hammer out three straight victories on day two, earning a spot on the podium.

“Seeing Sean triumph after we all had a tough first day was great motivation to the team,” said Nagy, who credits his kids for bouncing back. “We started to adjust and wrestle a lot better. We won the close matches that we previously lost. None more impressive than Michael Hosti, who shocked a very deep field of wrestlers in what was probably the toughest weight class in the state.”

Overall, eight Loudoun wrestlers earned All-State honors by placing at the state tournament.

Kenton Perez produced the top finish for Loudoun County High School. Perez won three matches at 160 pounds to place fourth in his class. Logan Smith won three matches and finished seventh at 119 pounds, while Tyler Anthony (135) and David Richardson (152) each won a match. The Raiders placed 19th in the team standings.

A pair of Potomac Falls wrestlers - Batchka Zulkhuu (152) and Nick Rea (112) each won three matches and placed. Zulkhuu finished fifth and Rea placed seventh.

Broad Run’s Angel Rios collected two wins on his way to an eighth-place finish at 112 pounds. Fellow Spartans Akhil Gowda (103), Neil Hartman (130), and Tarkan Martin (125) each won a match. Michael Hulcher of Briar Woods also earned a victory at 112 pounds.

Christiansburg once again won the team championship. The Demons claimed the state title for a 10th consecutive year.

Below is a look at how each Loudoun wrestler fared at the state level.

Group AA

-103 pounds
Akhil Gowda (BR) 1-2

-112 pounds
7. Nick Rea (PF) 3-2
8. Angel Rios (BR) 2-3
Michael Hulcher (BW) 1-2

-119 pounds
7. Logan Smith (LC) 3-2

-125 pounds
Tyler Anthony (LC) 1-2
Tarkan Martin (BR) 1-2

-130 pounds
3. Sean Gaetani (Fre) 3-1
Neil Hartman (BR) 1-2

-135 pounds
6. Michael Hosti (Fre) 3-3

-145 pounds
5. Batchka Zulkhuu (PF) 3-2

-152 pounds
David Richardson (LC) 1-2
Tyler Young (Fre) 1-2

-160 pounds
4. Kenton Perez (LC) 3-2

-285 pounds
3. DaQuante Timbers (Fre) 4-1

Group AAA

-145 pounds
Pat Taylor (SB) 0-2