Around the Area

Just how loaded is Colonial Forge? The Eagles return five state place-winners -- including last year's 112-pound champion Michael Garofalo -- and bring in brothers Max and Peter Huntley, who started for Pennsylvania power Mercersburg Academy last year and have moved back to Stafford County, where they came through Colonial Forge's youth league. . . . The emergence of heavyweight Nick Cook makes Fauquier a dangerous team in just its second year in AAA. The junior only started wrestling as a freshman, but placed fifth at the state tournament last year and defeated Christiansburg's Cody Gardner, the nation's top-ranked 215-pounder, in a freestyle tournament this summer. . . . Warren County senior Trey Kirkland (160) placed second at 152 at the Virginia AA tournament last season and is among the Washington area's top AA wrestlers. . . . Junior Firen Gassmen, the first female in the history of the VHSL to win a state tournament match, transferred from Herndon to Robinson. . . . Potomac Falls should be back in contention after its string of four straight AA District titles was snapped by Dominion last season. The Panthers lost just one senior to graduation and bring back senior Blaise Ruffing, a favorite to win the state heavyweight title. . . . Look for Gar-Field to improve upon its three straight near-misses at the Cardinal District championships. Joe Grohoski (103) and Porker Bowers (145) should compete for state titles, Curtis Moore (189) may be the Indians' most improved wrestler, and Freedom transfer Justin Hickey (135) solidifies the lineup. . . . Massaponax's Josh Wine (HVY) is back after losing in double overtime of last year's AAA final.

-- Andrew Levine