The Valley Forge wrestling team put forth a solid performance at the inaugural Cleveland West Conference Tournament, finishing in 2nd place with a total of 146.5 points. While the team had hoped for a closer battle with the champions, Westlake, who finished with 239.5 points, the competition showcased the continued growth of the Valley Forge wrestlers. With just a week remaining until Sectionals, this event served as an important benchmark for the team’s progress and preparation.

Valley Forge had nine wrestlers place in the top four, proving the depth and talent across the squad. A particular highlight was the team’s ability to battle through the consolation bracket and keep fighting for those crucial placements. The coaching staff emphasizes the importance of staying focused, even after a loss, and competing with resilience. In the words of the coach Finowski, “We are getting the next best thing... 3rd place! Wrestle, Win, Repeat.”

Several wrestlers stood out with their impressive performances. Juan Ruiz, after a tough loss in the semifinals, made a strong comeback to the 3rd place match, where he ultimately placed 4th. Likewise, Alex Cruz, Gaige Burianek, and Ghani Nakou all faced tough semifinal defeats but showed determination and mental toughness in bouncing back to secure 3rd place finishes.

The team also celebrated the achievements of three wrestlers who finished in 2nd place: Maksym Petrechko, Adin Beckley, and Anthony Wing. Each of these athletes showcased their talent and wrestled hard, but ultimately fell just short in their finals matches. Anthony Wing’s match, in particular, was a standout moment of the tournament. His finals battle against a tough Westlake opponent captivated the crowd, with both wrestlers displaying remarkable skill and determination. Though Anthony came up short, his match was widely praised by fans and coaches alike as one of the most exciting bouts of the day.

The day also brought two champions to Valley Forge! Nate Hale and Amir Abukhalil were crowned Cleveland West Conference Champions after displaying outstanding wrestling throughout the tournament.

Junior Nate Hale, impressed the crowd with his quick pins, including an unorthodox pin in the finals that secured his victory. His performance was a testament to his growth and determination this season. Meanwhile, sophomore Amir Abukhalil’s finals match was one of the most thrilling of the day. In a back-and-forth battle where the lead changed multiple times, Amir sealed the win with a last-second takedown to claim the title in dramatic fashion. Both champions’ victories were a well-deserved highlight for the team.

With the Cleveland West Conference Championships now behind them, the Valley Forge wrestlers are gearing up for the final stretch of the season. The team is focused on refining their strategies and tactics as they head to the Euclid Sectionals Saturday February 22nd, which will lead them to the North Canton District.

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Valley Forge High School’s wrestling team is gaining momentum after a dominant night on the mat, securing two impressive wins in Cleveland West Conference duals. The Patriots triumphed over North Olmsted with a 42–37 victory before cruising to a commanding 64–12 win over Lakewood. With the sweep, Valley Forge moves to 4–2 in conference duals, continuing to build on their momentum.

The evening kicked off with a tight contest against North Olmsted, where Valley Forge edged out a 42–37 win. The match was exciting with both teams exchanging momentum throughout the evening. Key victories by Valley Forge wrestlers were crucial in securing the win. Among them were Ghani Nakou, Gaige Burianek, Nate Hale, Anthony Wing, Michael Foster, and Amir Abukhalil, each of whom finished the night with undefeated records, going 2-0.

Following the hard-fought win, Valley Forge quickly shifted gears for a more dominant performance against Lakewood, where they ran away with a 64–12 victory. This time, the Patriots left little room for doubt, controlling nearly every match from start to finish. The 64 points are a testament to Valley Forge’s depth and wrestling talent, as numerous wrestlers picked up big wins by pin!

Once again, Ghani Nakou, Gaige Burianek, Nate Hale, Anthony Wing, Michael Foster, and Amir Abukhalil all went undefeated on the night, leading the charge and helping their team continue its strong push through the conference season.  

With the 4–2 record in conference duals, the Valley Forge wrestling team is positioning itself for a strong finish to the Cleveland West Conference season. As they continue to build on these victories, the wrestlers are focused on maintaining their momentum, improving technique, and preparing for future challenges. The Patriots are proving that they are a team capable of both battling through tight contests and dominating when needed.

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In an exciting showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Valley Forge High School wrestling team defeated crosstown rival Normandy High School with a hard-fought 40-36 victory. Both teams secured seven wins apiece, but the Patriots' dominance in pinning their opponents proved to be the difference maker in this match.

The Patriots got started at 113 lbs, and wasted no time asserting their dominance. Gaige Burianek delivered an impressive and quick pin, setting the tone for the rest of the evening. His victory was just the spark Valley Forge needed, and the momentum continued to build from there. Next up was Nate Hale at, who followed Burianek’s example with another dominating pin to add six more points to the Patriots' total. Anthony Wing, kept the momentum going by securing yet another pin in his bout. With three consecutive pins, Valley Forge  built a comfortable lead and set the stage for what would become an electrifying team effort.

In a key matchup at 132 lbs, Alex Cruz made his long-awaited return to the mat after battling through an injury. Cruz showed why he’s one of the top wrestlers for the Patriots, dominating his opponent and securing a decisive technical fall 16-1. His win added five more crucial points to the Valley Forge total, further increasing their lead over Normandy. The momentum kept rolling for the Patriots as Michael Foster and Maksym Petrechko each delivered pins of their own. Their victories solidified Valley Forge’s control of the match and put them us in great position, with a lead that Normandy couldn’t overcome.

As the match neared its conclusion, it was clear that the rivalry had lived up to the hype. It was up to Amir Abukhalil at 175 lbs. to seal the deal. Abukhalil delivered a clutch performance, pinning his opponent early in the second period, to push us ahead for good. While individual performances were key to the win, it was the collective effort of the entire team that led to this hard-fought victory.

The team will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next Cleveland West Conference competition.

Go Patriots!

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The Valley Forge wrestling team had a good performance at the Kenston Invitational, with 9 wrestlers entered and 3 finishing in the top 6! The team placed 17th overall out of 32 teams, scoring 77.5 points.

Individual Standouts:

• Anthony Wing – Champion
  Anthony went 6-0, with 5 of his wins by pin, dominating his competition on his way to the title!
• Nate Hale – 4th Place
• Amir Abukhalil – 6th Place

Congratulations to these athletes for their remarkable performances, and to the entire team for representing Valley Forge with pride. Keep up the great work!

This past Saturday, the Valley Forge wrestling team had another strong showing at the Al Pinter Memorial hosted by Cuyahoga Hts. high school.  The team finished 3rd out of 17 teams. It was a weekend filled with intense competition, skill-building, and moments of hard-fought victories. The younger, less inexperienced wrestlers are learning how to compete on the varsity level and wrestle through the many positions and situations they face during matches.  

Overall, it was a great team effort. While the coaches and athletes saw many successes, we understand we have work to do in order to continue to develop as wrestlers and as a team. 

With 8 placers, the team showed their strength and depth.  The following wrestlers placed:

106 lbs – Abdulghani Nakou - 5th place

113 lbs - Gaige Burianek - 5th place 

120 lbs – Nate Hale - 3rd place

126 lbs – Anthony Wing - 4th place

132 lbs - Jay Garcia - 6th place

144 lbs. - Gabe Wright - 4th place

157 lbs – Daniel Sanabria - 5th place 

174 lbs – Amir Abukhalil - 4th place 

A huge thank you to all the family members, friends, and supporters who came out to cheer on the team throughout the weekend. Your energy makes all the difference!

The Valley Forge wrestling team put on a strong showing at the Lorain Titan Classic this past weekend, finishing 4th out of 16 teams. It was a weekend filled with intense competition, skill-building, and moments of hard-fought victories. While the team earned several individual placers, there were also valuable lessons learned that will serve as motivation as the season continues.

The team came together, wrestling through tough matches and facing some tough competition. Overall, it was a great team effort. While the coaches and athletes saw several positive signs, the weekend also highlighted areas for growth that will be worked on in the coming weeks.

With 7 placers, the team showed their strength and depth across multiple weight classes.  The following wrestlers placed:

106 lbs – Abdulghani Nakou - 5th place 

120 lbs – Nate Hale - 2nd place

126 lbs – Anthony Wing - 2nd place

138 lbs – Alex Cruz - 6th place 

157 lbs – Daniel Sanabria - 4th place 

165 lbs – Maksym Petrechko - 5th place

174 lbs – Amir Abukhalil - 4th place 

A huge thank you to all the family members, friends, and supporters who came out to cheer on the team throughout the weekend. Your energy and encouragement make all the difference!

The team now turns its focus to this Friday's HOME dual meet against Keystone.  This Friday JV matches will start at 5:30pm followed by the Varsity match startign approximately 6pm.  Let's pack the gym!