Repeat championships are impressive. Three-peat championships, are even more so. But how about a 10-peat? That's what Christiansburg's wrestling team is riding, coming into this year's state tournament.
"It's a tremendous honor," said Christiansburg Head Coach, Daryl Weber. "I can't take credit for it. There's a lot of parents and fans and I've got an awesome coaching staff. To have the respect of the community, I just feel very fortunate to be in this position."
"I think we'll have a good chance to win it again," said Christiansburg Junior, Joey Dance. "We have a good, solid team this year. All the freshman are pretty solid."
With a dynasty going from 2002 through 2011, what's the secret to the Blue Demon's success?
"Probably Daryl Weber," Dance said. "He has the Iowa style of wrestling. That's just in your face wrestling and just go get them."
"We just have a lot of parents and a lot of fan support ," Weber said, "and the wrestlers just buy-in, they work hard, and they're very coachable. We just have a lot of support from all ends."
One of the other wrestling powers in Virginia is Grundy, who just moved down to class A this year, and all though Christiansburg won't be competing against them this season, there's still some competition between the two schools when it comes to the record books.
"This year we're going for our 11th state title so it'll be good," Dance said. "I think Grundy's got a total of 12, so we're trying to pass by them and hopefully we'll get it."
As far as their competition in class AA goes, their opponents are well aware of the challenge ahead of them to earn the team title.
"We're up against Christiansburg and New Kent," said Brookville Head Coach, Don Shuler. "Christiansburg has 12 individuals. New Kent has 11. We have 9, so it's going to be a battle. They work hard. They have really tough competition. It seems to be working."
Of the 12 Blue Demon wrestlers competing at states this year, 10 advanced from the first round into the quarterfinals, putting Christiansburg in a good spot to match or surpass last year's mark of 7 individual state champions.
