The Gloucester High School wrestling team participated in the Mike Duman Toys for Tots Invitational held on Dec. 20-21 at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach.

Thirty-three teams, from across Virginia participated in the event, which featured 14 specific weight classes ranging from 106 pounds to 285 pounds. 

Gloucester High School entered six wrestlers, and all six placed within the top eight positions in their weight class. As a team, the program amassed enough points to finish 10th overall. Individually, Gloucester wrestled through the preliminary rounds, placing three wrestlers into the semifinals, two of whom moved on to the finals with a chance to wrestle for the title in their weight class.

Austin Glockner finished as the champion of the 152 lbs. weight class, besting all of his opponents throughout his 26-man bracket. In the final match, Glockner met up with Hunter Huddleston, a senior returning state qualifier from William Fleming High School in Roanoke. After a fierce contest, Glockner was able to defeat his opponent by a 7-2 decision.

Josh Seaton was another Gloucester wrestler who had quite the day. At 160 lbs., the sophomore rolled through the early championship rounds. After a very impressive showing in the earlier rounds, Seaton fought his way into the finals, defeating senior Chase Giegling of Cosby High School. In the finals, Seaton was paired up against Hunter Thompson of John Handley High School, where he was bested by a score of 7-2 finishing second overall at 160 lbs.

Four other Duke wrestlers found themselves in the medal rounds—Ethan Baker, Ethan Parr, Joshua Kuehn and Douglas Pruim. Returning state qualifier Baker worked his way through a very tough bracket at 145 pounds to finish fifth overall. The lone senior for the Dukes, Parr, battled his way to sixth place. Junior Kuehn battled back from the consolation bracket after a first-round loss, to end as runner up in the 138 lbs. weight class. Junior Pruim, the Gloucester heavyweight, wrestled tough all weekend, earning a spot on the podium.

The Dukes wrestling program continues to impress in the area, with a current Peninsula District record of 7-0 and overall team record in dual meets at 11-2. The Dukes will continue to work hard over the holiday break, with their next competition being the Prince George Invitational on Jan. 3, before continuing the season’s dual matches in the new year. Gloucester’s only remaining home match is against Peninsula District rival Warwick on Jan. 29 at 7 p.m.