POQUOSON (WAVY) — When you talk about wrestling traditions on the Peninsula, they don’t get much better than Poquoson, and last weekend, the Bull Islanders made a statement.
“Last weekend was the Virginia Duals, it’s a really big tournament around here at the Hampton Coliseum,” senior Reed Booth said. “Last week we were able to bring home first place in the Black and Blue division which was nice, because it was the first time we’ve won it since 2019.”
Eric Decker is the head coach at Poquoson and he’s led his squad to several state team titles, the last coming two years ago. As a whole, the Poquoson program has won 13 state championships.
“We win titles, that’s what we do,” Booth said. “Look at that wall.”
The Poquoson wall of champions, decorated with pictures of every state champion the school has produced, is the standard of excellence for a program deep-rooted in the community.
“Those kids have been going to state tournaments since they were seven or eight years old, watching kids make the top of that podium,” volunteer assistant Donald Booth said.
This year’s version of Poquoson is young and are led by several sophomores.
“We know we’re young,” Booth said “That doesn’t really matter to us what there age is.”
“The goal this year is to win another one and try to win a team title,” sophomore Jared Goodson said.
Reed Booth added: “Our coach, his goal is to just bring home a team title. We haven’t won it in two years. He says it all the time [that] he’s sick of losing, so hopefully we can get it done in February.”
After matches this weekend, it’s the districts, regionals and then state tournament, as the young but talented Poquoson team tries to win its 14th state team title.
