HERSHEY - It was a solid season for the Blue Ridge Raiders wrestling program, capturing a Lackawanna League title for the first time since 2019. The Raiders had a trio of grapplers qualify for Regionals, culminating with junior Brice Woodruff making the trip to Hershey.

For Woodruff it was a goal to get down to the Giant Center to wrestle on the big stage. With 20 wrestlers from each weight class participating from across the state of Pennsylvania, it is quite an accomplishment.

As the fourth place finisher at 121 pounds at the PIAA AA Northeast Regional tournament, Woodruff had to wrestle a preliminary match to get into the round of 16 in Hershey.

In that bout Woodruff would square off with a freshman from Derry Area and Southwest Regional seventh place finisher Dylan Bateman.

Bateman controlled the match from the beginning scoring an early takedown, cruising to the second period technical fall, defeating Woodruff 15-0 in 3:13.

Dropping to the consolation bracket, Woodruff would need to earn a victory to stay alive til the second day at the PIAA State Championships.

In the first round of consolations, Woodruff  wrestled another Southwest Regional place-winner and freshman from powerhouse Bishop McCort, Jack Silfies.

Silfies recorded a takedown late in the first period and used a quick escape to start the second period, allowing him to control the match on his was to a 9-1 decision.

With the loss Woodruff was eliminated from the tournament, but still had a phenomenal season for Blue Ridge and head coach Charlie Church.

Finishing his junior season with an impressive 30 wins, he will be one of the key returners for Coach Church and the Raiders in '25-'26.

With a solid core coming back, they look to defend their league title and get a few more grapplers to Chocolatetown next season.