Beckley Battalion launches the Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year for Virginia

Campaign honors the best high school wrestlers in Virginia  

BECKLEY , WEST VIRGINIA – The U.S. Army Beckley (WV) Recruiting Battalion is proud to announce the launch of the Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year campaign in Virginia .  During the campaign, the U.S. Army will honor the best high school wrestler’s in the battalion’s Virginia recruiting territory.  In wrestling, the best competitors most demonstrate physical and emotional strength, as well as strength of character, all of which embodies the qualities of Army STRONG. 

The U.S. Army and “The Sports Flash” (TSF) Radio Network is now accepting nominations for the Army STRONG Wrestler of the Week from the media, high school wrestling coaches, and athletic directors throughout the region.  Fans will have the opportunity to vote online at www.TheSportsFlash.com for the Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year.  The week one nominees will be announced on Monday, February 8.  Ten finalists will be selected for the Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year.  

The United States Army is charged with protecting America ’s freedom and preserving peace.  The Army trains and equips its soldiers to be the best, especially when it comes to their job, leadership, and soldiering skills.  With more than 150 jobs available in many exciting fields, the U.S. Army provides many job training and leadership training opportunities.  From working with computers to assisting doctors to fixing helicopters, there’s an Army job that’s right for you.  For more information, go online to www.GoArmy.com.  

If you have any questions about the Wrestler of the Year campaign, please contact Mike Sinnott at (517) 927-4570 or via e-mail at ArmySTRONG.VA@TheSportsFlash.com. 

Army Iron Man of the Year - Virginia

 Vote for the Army STRONG Wrestler of the Week

Voting ends at 8:00 P.M. EST on Thursday.

NOTE:  Two nominees will be finalists for Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year.

Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year - Week One Nominees
Devin Carter – Christiansburg Carter is the nation’s second-ranked 125-pound prep wrestler, according to InterMat.  E-mail your vote for Christiansburg's Devin Carter.

 

 

Ben Dorsay - Cox

 

 

Dorsay won a Beach District title at 145-pounds, for the fourth district title of his career.  Dorsay has a 155-14 career record, including 39-1 this season, with two region titles and is a two-time Class AAA state champion. E-mail your vote for Cox's Den Dorsay.

 

 

Will Everett – Western Branch

 

 

Everett won the 119-pound title at the Southeastern District Tournament for Western Branch’s only championship.  The Bruins finished third in the event. E-mail your vote for Western Branch's Will Everett.

 

 

Christian Olanowski – First Colonial

 

 

Olanowski on the 119-pound title and was voted the Beach District Tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. E-mail your vote for First Colonial's Christian Olanowski.

 

 

Brian Saravia – Oscar Smith

 

 

Smith won the 103-pound title at the Southeastern District Tournament, helping Oscar Smith win its first district title since 1978-79. E-mail your vote for Oscar Smith's Brian Saravia.

 

 

Adrin Taylor – Norview

 

 

Taylor , wrestling at 160-pounds, won his fourth Eastern District title, beating Granby ’s Marcus Johnson 11-6 in overtime.  Taylor helped Norview to its first Eastern District title since 2007. E-mail your vote for Norview's Adrin Taylor.

PLEASE NOTE:  When voting, only one vote will be counted per IP address during a certain time period, depending upon how often that you've attempted to register a vote.  The time frame could be as long as 24 hours.  This prevents the "stuffing" of the ballot box and the crashing of our server.  That's why if you attempt to vote multiple times from the same computer, the voting total will not increase.  For many, clicking on the e-mail link of your favorite player will be the best way to record your vote.  With the e-mail, we will count one vote per e-mail address each hour.  When you click the link above, the voting numbers reflect only those votes collected via the pop-up window and do not reflect the e-mailed votes.  Before the voting ends on Thursday, a chart will appear on the site, updating you on the number of total votes that each nominee has received.  The winner of the Army STRONG Wrestler of the Week will be the TWO nominees with the most total votes.

 

Army Strong Wrestler of the Year - Virginia

 Vote for the Army STRONG Wrestler of the Week

Voting ends at 8:00 P.M. EST on Thursday.

NOTE:  Two nominees will be finalists for Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year.

Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year - Week Seven Nominees

Anthony Copeland – Oscar Smith Copeland registered Oscar Smith only regional title, winning the 152-pound crown at the Eastern Regional. E-mail your vote for Oscar Smith's Anthony Copeland.

Ben Dorsay – Cox

Dorsay won his third region title beating Ocean Lake ’s Kyle Robertson, 12-4, to win the 145-pound Eastern Regional title.  E-mail your vote for Cox's Ben Dorsay.

 

Kasey Early – Deep Run

 

Early pinned his way through the Eastern Regional, earning the regional title in the 103-pound weight class.  E-mail your vote for Deep Run's Kasey Early.

 

Joey Grainger – Great Bridge

 

Grainger won the 171-pound Eastern Region title. E-mail your vote for Great Bridge's Joey Gangier.

 

Gabe LaVey – Hanover

 

LaVey helped Hanover win the Central Region championship, winning the 135-pound title and earning the region’s Most Outstanding Wrestler honor. E-mail your vote for Hanover's Gabe LaVey.

 

Charlie Lipford – Henrico County

 

Lipford won his third-straight Central Region 112-pound title with a win over Varina’s Shawn Crawley.  For his career, Lipford is 190-23. E-mail your vote for Henrico County's Charlie Lipford.

 

Tom Rollins – Monticello

 

Rollins went 4-0 last week and won the Region 2 Heavyweight title, beating the top-ranked heavyweight in the region in triple-overtime.  Rollins improve to 32-0 this season. E-mail your vote for Monticello's Tom Rollins.

 

David Williams – Hidden Valley

 

Williams won the 160-pound title at the Region IV tournament with a fall over Grundy’s Tyler McClanahan. E-mail your vote for Hidden Valley's David Williams.

PLEASE NOTE:  When voting, only one vote will be counted per IP address during a certain time period, depending upon how often that you've attempted to register a vote.  The time frame could be as long as 24 hours.  This prevents the "stuffing" of the ballot box and the crashing of our server.  That's why if you attempt to vote multiple times from the same computer, the voting total will not increase.  For many, clicking on the e-mail link of your favorite player will be the best way to record your vote.  With the e-mail, we will count one vote per e-mail address each hour.  When you click the link above, the voting numbers reflect only those votes collected via the pop-up window and do not reflect the e-mailed votes.  Before the voting ends on Thursday, a chart will appear on the site, updating you on the number of total votes that each nominee has received.  The winner of the Army STRONG Wrestler of the Week will be determined by the TOP TWO with the most total votes (e-mail and via popup window). 

Army Strong Wrestler of the Year - Virginia

 Vote for the Army STRONG Wrestler of the Week

Voting ends at 8:00 P.M. EST on Thursday.

NOTE:  THREE nominees will be finalists for Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year.

Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year - Week Three Nominees

Clint Allala – Hopewell Allala, a senior, wrapped up his prep career with a state title at 171-pounds with a 7-3 win over Cosby’s Austin Coburn, 7-3.  E-mail your vote for Hopewell's Clint Allala.

Cody Allala – Hopewell

Allala won his second state title beating Franklin County ’s Hunter Adams for the 152-pound Class AAA state title. E-mail your vote for Hopewell's Cody Allala.

 

Devin Carter – Christiansburg

 

Carter won his third-straight state championship winning the Class AA-A 130 pound title with a 21-6 technical fall over Fauquier’s Greg Flournoy.   E-mail your vote for Christiansburg's Devin Carter.

 

Kasey Early – Deep Run

 

Early won his first state-title, beating Robinson’s Dallas Smith, 8-3, for his first 103-pound Class AAA state title. E-mail your vote for Deep Run's Kasey Early.

 

Garrett Fozdyck – Matthews   

 

Fozdyck won his second-straight Class AA-A heavyweight tile with a pin of Stonewall Jackson’s Lucas Ryan in 1:39 . E-mail your vote for Matthews' Garrett Fozdyck.

 

Gabe LaVey – Hanover

 

LaVey won Hanover ’s first-ever state title, winning the 135-pound Class AAA title with a 6-0 shutout of Salem ’s Zach Ketcher. E-mail your vote for Hanover's Gabe LaVey.

 

Thomas Payne – Poquoson

 

Payne won a Class AA-A title at 103-pounds with a 10-4 win over Millbrook’s Tanner Sine. E-mail your vote for Poquoson's Thomas Payne.

 

Jake Semones – Salem

 

Semones won Salem ’s first state title, winning the Class AA-A state title at 215-pounds, finishing the season 31-0 with a   7-5 win over Sherando’s Baxter Newman in the final. E-mail your vote for Salem's Jake Semones.

 

Bryan Whitt – Cox

 

Whitt became the first Virginia wrestler to win five state titles when he beat Hopewell ’s Jonathan Gay in the Class AAA 119-pound final.  Whitt wrapped up his prep career with a 235-15 record and will wrestle at Virginia in the fall. E-mail your vote for Cox's Bryan Whitt.

PLEASE NOTE:  When voting, only one vote will be counted per IP address during a certain time period, depending upon how often that you've attempted to register a vote.  The time frame could be as long as 24 hours.  This prevents the "stuffing" of the ballot box and the crashing of our server.  That's why if you attempt to vote multiple times from the same computer, the voting total will not increase.  For many, clicking on the e-mail link of your favorite player will be the best way to record your vote.  With the e-mail, we will count one vote per e-mail address each hour.  When you click the link above, the voting numbers reflect only those votes collected via the pop-up window and do not reflect the e-mailed votes.  Before the voting ends on Thursday, a chart will appear on the site, updating you on the number of total votes that each nominee has received.  The winner of the Army STRONG Wrestler of the Week will be determined by the TOP TWO with the most total votes (e-mail and via popup window). 

Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year

Virginia Finalists

Campaign honors the best high school wrestlers in West Virginia  

BECKLEY , WV – The U.S. Army Beckley Recruiting Battalion is proud to announce the finalists for the inaugural Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year, honoring Virginia ’s best high school wrestlers.  Fans can vote online at www.TheSportsFlash.com, starting on Monday, March 15, 2010 .  The voting will end at midnight on Sunday, March 28.  The winner will be announced on Monday, March 29.  

Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year – Virginia

·          Devin Carter - Christiansburg

·          Ben Dorsay – Cox

·          Kasey Early – Deep Run

·          Gabe LaVey – Hanover

·          Caleb Richardson – Cox

·          Blake Roulo – Matoaca

·          Aaron Runzo - Kellam

·          Brian Saravia – Oscar Smith

·          Bryan Whitt - Cox

·          David Williams – Hidden Valley

Each week, wrestling competitors must demonstrate physical and emotional strength, as well as strength of character, embodying the qualities of Army STRONG.  High school wrestling fans voted on the weekly winner of the Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year at www.TheSportsFlash.com.   

The United States Army is charged with protecting America ’s freedom and preserving peace.  The Army trains and equips its soldiers to be the best, especially when it comes to their job, leadership, and soldiering skills.  With more than 150 jobs available in many exciting fields, the U.S. Army provides many job training and leadership training opportunities.  From working with computers to assisting doctors to fixing helicopters, there’s an Army job that’s right for you.  For more information, go online to www.GoArmy.com.

Voting for ARMY STRONG Wrestler of the Year beings on March 15.

Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year - Finalists    
11 February 2010 Ben Dorsay - Cox Dorsay won a Beach District title at 145-pounds, the fourth district title of his career.  Dorsay has a 155-14 career record (39-1 this season) and has won two regional titles and two Class AAA state championships.
   

Brian Saravia - Oscar Smith

  

Smith won the 103-pound title at the Southeastern District Tournament, helping Oscar Smith win its first district title since 1978-79.
     
18 February 2010 Kasey Early - Deep Run Early pinned his way through the Eastern Regional, earning the title at 103-pounds.
   

David Williams - Hidden Valley

  

Williams won the 160-pound title at the Region IV tournament with a fall over Grundy's Tyler McClanahan.

 

    
25 February 2010 Devin Carter - Christiansburg Carter won his third-straight state championship when he won the Class AA-A 130-pound state title with a 21-6 technical fall over Fauquier's Greg Flournoy.
   

Gabe LaVey - Hanover

  

LaVey won Hanover's first-ever state title, winning the 135-pound Class AAA with a 6-0 shutout of Salem's Zach Ketcher.
   

Bryan Whitt - Cox

  

Whitt became the first Virginia wrestler to win five state titles when he beat Hopewell's Jonathan Gay in the Class AAA 119-pound final.  Whitt wrapped up his prep career with a 235-15 record and will wrestle at Virginia in the fall.
     
4 March 2010 Caleb Richardson - Cox Richardson won the 112-pound state title at the Class AAA State Tournament, beating Annadale's Dane Harlowe, 8-3, in the final.  Richardson outscored his opponents 51-12 in four matches.
   

Blake Roulo - Matoaca

  

Roulo won the 140-pound title at the Class AAA State Tournament, outscoring his opponents 25-0 in the first-round and quarterfinals and beating Kellem's Austin D'Amico in the final.
   

Aaron Runzo - Kellam

  

Runzo won the 125-pound weight class at the Class AAA State Tournament, winning the title with a pin of Salem's Buddy Scarborough in 4:58.  Runzo gave up just three points in four matches in winning the state title.

Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year - Virginia Finalists

 Vote for the Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year

Voting ends at midnight on Sunday, March 28.
  Online Votes E-Mailed Votes Total Votes
Aaron Runzo - Kellam 457 3,504 3,961
Kasey Early - Deep Run 256 3,480 3,736
David Williams - Hidden Valley 247 1,149 1,396
Gabe LeVey - Hanover 138 733 871
Bryan Whitt - Cox 28 697 725
Please note only one vote per e-mail address per hour.     UPDATED @ 3:59 AM EDT on 3/28/10.

Devin Carter of Christiansburg captured his third-straight Class AA-A 130-pound state title with a 21-6 technical fall over Fauquier's Greg Flournoy.  Click here to e-mail your vote for Christiansburg's Devin Carter.
Ben Dorsay of Cox earned his third Class AAA State Championship, winning the 145-pound state championship with a win over Matoaca's Josh Clark. Dorsay also won a Beach District title, the fourth district title of his career.  Click here to e-mail your vote for Cox High School's Ben Dorsay.
Kasey Early of Deep Run won 103-pound Class AAA title, besting Robinson's Dallas Smith, 8-3, in the final.  During the state tournament, Early recorded two pins, including a fall in 27 seconds.  Early pinned his way through the Eastern Regional to advance to the state tournament.  Click here to e-mail your vote for Deep Run's Kasey Early.
Gabe LaVey of Hanover won the school's first-ever state title, winning the 135-pound weight class at the Class AAA State Tournament with a 6-0 win over Salem's Zach Ketcher.  LaVey finished the season 48-4 and did not lose to an in-state opponent this season.  Click here to e-mail your vote for Hanover's Gabe LaVey.
Caleb Richardson of Cox  won the 112-pound state title at the Class AAA State Tournament, beating Annadale's Dane Harlowe, 8-3, for the title.  Richardson outscored his opponents 51-12 in his four matches. Click here to e-mail your vote for Cox High School's Caleb Richardson.
Blake Roulo of Matoaca captured the 140-pound state title at the Class AAA State Tournament, outscoring opponents 25-0 in the first-round and quarterfinals and beating Kellam's Austin D'Amico in the final.  Click here to e-mail your vote for Matoaca's Blake Roulo.
Aaron Runzo of Kellam gave up just three points in four matches in winning the 125-pound weight class at the Class AAA State Tournament, winning the title with a pin of Salem's Buddy Scarborough in 4:58. Click here to e-mail your vote for Kellam's Aaron Runzo.
Brian Saravia of Oscar Smith helped the Tigers win their first Southeastern District title since 1978-79, wining the 103-pound title at the district tournament.  Saravia finished fourth in the Eastern Regional to qualify for the Class AAA State Tournament.  Click here to e-mail your vote for Oscar Smith's Brian Saravia.

Bryan Whitt of Cox finished his prep career as the only Virginia wrestler to win five state titles, when he beat Hopewell's Jonathan Gay in the Class AAA 119-pound final.  Whitt ended his career with a 235-15 record and will wrestle at the University of Virginia.  Click here to e-mail your vote for Cox High School's Bryan Whitt.
David Williams of Hidden Valley earned the school's first-ever state championship in wrestling, winning the Class AA 160-pound weight class, finishing the season 32-2 and his prep career at 133-35.  Williams also won the River Ridge District and Region IV titles.  Williams has received an appointment and will attend the U.S. Naval Academy.  Click here to e-mail your vote for Hidden Valley's David Williams.
 

Voting ends at midnight on Sunday, March 28. 

E-mail address to submit your vote is ArmySTRONG.VA@thesportsflash.com. 

PLEASE NOTE:  When voting, only one vote will be counted per IP address during a certain time period, depending upon how often that you've attempted to register a vote.  The time frame could be as long as 24 hours.  This prevents the "stuffing" of the ballot box and the crashing of our server.  That's why if you attempt to vote multiple times from the same computer, the voting total will not increase.  For many, clicking on the e-mail link of your favorite player will be the best way to record your vote.  With the e-mail, we will count one vote per e-mail address each hour.  When you click the link above, the voting numbers reflect only those votes collected via the pop-up window and do not reflect the e-mailed votes.  Before the voting ends on Thursday, a chart will appear on the site, updating you on the number of total votes that each nominee has received.  The winner of the Army STRONG Wrestler of the Year will be determined by the most total votes (e-mail and via popup window).