Wrestling: Northern Region Preview

By Jimmy Thomas
Content Manager, Northern Region

Check the video tab on the top-left to see George Billy and David Helmer getting some work in practice this week

As a freshman, George Billy attended Robinson High School where he won the AAA Virginia state championship at 103 pounds. As a sophomore, Billy found himself at Boys Town High, a school in Nebraska where he went 34-0 and won the state championship at 112 lbs. Last year he returned to the area, this time attending Lake Braddock. Once again he captured another state title, this time still at 112 lbs.

Billy now boasts a staggering 133-8 all-time record and has a chance to win a fourth straight state championship — a feat that has only been accomplished nine times in the state of Virginia.

“I keep telling him the the fourth one will be the hardest,” said Lake Braddock Coach Scott Matheny. “He is taking this as a challenge. He has never backed down from any challenge we have given him. We have wrestled him up against state champions out of his wieght class and he has never once balked. He just gets out there and wrestles. He has been a pleasure to coach.”

Another of Virginia’s elite — and the only other Northern Region wrestler attempting to repeat his state championship — is Langley’s David Helmer.

The Saxon senior and 1,000-yard running back on their football team is the defending Virginia AAA champion at 152 pounds and returns at the same weight this season. Helmer, known for his toughness on the mat, will need just that as he takes his 111-15 and counting career record to Big Ten country where he will wrestle next season for Northwestern University.

“The one thing that you can’t teach and he brought to our program is toughness” said Langley’s five-time Liberty District Coach of the Year John Belyea, who often practiced live with Helmer before an injury put a stop to it last year. “He was tough when he came into our program. Whatever he does, he does it 110 percent and that’s why he is ranked in the Top 10 in the country.”

Teams to Watch

Westfield – The defending Northern Region champion returning seven wrestlers with state tournament experience. Robinson – Boasts 2007 state champion Roman Perryman. Returns four wrestlers with state tournament experience, and a new standout in freshman Jake Smith at 103. Hayfield – Returning three state qualifiers, including state runner-up Ray Borja. Langley – State Champ David Helmer and the Saxons are looking for their eighth consecutive Liberty District title.

Wrestlers to Watch

103 lbs.- Anthony Kotoriy(Langley); Jake Smith(Robinson); Patrick Shaffer(South County)
112 lbs.- Jeremy Ryan(Westfield); Gervis Olimpo(Robinson); Bob Hauser(WT Woodson)
119 lbs.- George Billy(Lake Braddock); Chris Butters(Oakton); John Orchard-Hayes(Westfield)
125 lbs.- Ray Borja(Hayfield), Andy O’meara(Marshall); Matt Wilson(Langley)
130 lbs.- Brandon Berling(Westfield); Lewen Romero(Hayfield); Lloyd Tenaglia(Chantilly)
135 lbs.- Roman Perryman(Robinson); Jarrod Branch(Westfield); Mike Howard(Thomas Jefferson)
140 lbs.- Ronnie Ours(Hayfield); Jackson Islin(Centreville); Ethan Doyle(Oakton)
145 lbs.- Sam Burton(Yorktown); Wes Jones(Robinson); Stacy Anderson(Annandale)
152 lbs.- David Helmer(Langley); Nick Grinups(Westfield); Reid Brown(Robinson)
160 lbs.- Kevin Koch(Westfield); Shane Schumack(Hayfield); Ryan Renzi(Lake Braddock)
171 lbs.- Emilo Garcia(Centreville); Marcus Hataway(Robinson); Jordon Yost(Fairfax)
189 lbs.- Austin Fallon(Westfield); Kenny Clessas(Edison); Martin Seneca(Centreville)
215 lbs.- Victor Njomo(Annandale); Andrew Embree(Marshall); Chris Kichinko(South County)
285 lbs.- Chris Cabe(Chantilly); Scott Jones(Langley); Josh Patterson(Fairfax)