First Colonial and Cox wrestling teams: Rivals and friends in equal measure
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — On February 2nd, the wrestling teams of First Colonial and Frank W. Cox high schools went toe to toe. It was an event that found neighbors, friends and families cheering against each other in this thrilling rivalry. It was also a night to celebrate Cox senior wrestlers Eugene Peterson, Brayden Cahill, Anthony Pardo, Vincent Packer and Colin Bridges.
Later that week, in a regional meet at Green Run High School, nearly the entire Cox wrestling team and nine of the First Colonial wrestlers qualified for the state meet — a big deal for these athletes. Qualifying for the state meet, which took place on February 18-19, was a chance to prove they can go up against the best in their state and succeed.
While Virginia Beach is a city with a small town feel, the wrestling community is arguably even more tightly knit. These teens have been wrestling each other since they were young kids, whether in club matches through Beach Boyz or Great Neck wrestling clubs or their respective middle schools. First Colonial wrestlers Tyler Inghram, Nick Goenner and Thomas Stofka, for example, all used to wrestle for Great Neck Wrestling Club. The teams spend a great deal of time together with daily training, workouts and tournament travel, and the teammates are close friends, within their own team and between the two schools. They always look forward to a match against the other. Peterson said, “It’s always a fun one, and that rivalry is always great; we expect the best from each other.”
In the February regional meet, Cox walked away with the fifth place team title. Individually, Cox wrestler Colin Bridges placed first, Parker Tillery fourth, Carter Shupert fifth and Eugene Peterson sixth. First Colonial earned the sixth place team title. Thomas Stofka placing first, Colin Peterson second, Seth Stoddard fifth, and Schey Huff and Owen Cherry placing sixth.
The rivalry between the two teams may be real, but it’s also good-natured. Ultimately, it’s about teamwork, sportsmanship and just having fun. “Ever since I was a little kid, my coaches would look at me before every match and say, ‘Winning and losing don’t make you the wrestler that you are; it’s all about having fun and leaving it on the mat,’” said Goenner. “I have followed this quote my whole life, and it has made me into a strong person. I still look back at them and thank them everyday for the journey I’ve had throughout high school wrestling.”
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