The Nansemond River High School wrestling team was not able to successfully defend its title at the Region 4A South championships this past weekend at Hanover High School.

But the Warriors were still among the better teams competing, and they produced a regional champion in the form of senior 120-pounder James Boone.

“I think we did pretty well. I’m happy with our fourth place finish,” Nansemond River coach James “Tripp” Seed said.

Hanover was the clear regional champion with 246 points, and Smithfield High School and Glen Allen High School tied for second with 140 points apiece. But the Warriors were not far behind that total, finishing with 133 points.

Nansemond River ended up with six wrestlers who placed among the top four in their respective weight classes, qualifying them to compete in the state tournament.

The group included junior 113-pounder Malcolm Dawson, senior 132-pounder Hunter Hill, senior 145-pounder Jacob Clark, junior 152-pounder Malik Neely, sophomore heavyweight Dia Gray and Boone.

Boone’s road to his first regional championship was a particularly difficult one.

“He got hurt in the first round pretty bad,” Seed said.

While many others might have dropped out, Boone pressed on.

“I’d say he was less than 50 percent,” Seed said.

Boone said what kept him going was “just thinking about all the work that I’ve put in.”

He has spent three full years on the varsity team, and he said, “This is my last go.”

“Being one of the top kids in my weight class, I couldn’t just let myself drop out when I expect myself to win it,” he said.

Seed said, “Once he was hurt, he stuck to what works for him.”

Boone advanced to the final and defeated John Randolph Tucker High School senior Michael Banholzer by a 4-2 decision.

“It felt really good,” Boone said of claiming a regional championship.

It was a sharp contrast from the feeling he experienced at this point last season.

“I was in the finals last year, and I really should have won it, and I kind of messed it up,” he said. But describing Saturday’s victory, he said, “It was almost like redemption, I would say.”

It was a surprise not to see Dia Gray in at least the finals, if not first place, but that was due in part to his facing Smithfield High School junior Ross Manfred earlier in the tournament.

“I think they’re the best two heavyweights in the state, by far,” Seed said.

Manfred was the state runner-up last year, and though Gray had defeated him earlier this season, the NR sophomore made a late mistake this past weekend, which Manfred capitalized on to win 3-1.

“They’re honestly pretty equal to each other,” Seed said.

Gray finished in third place.

Jacob Clark had a 5-1 lead in the semifinal round, before losing by an 8-7 decision. He finished fourth.

Hunter Hill took third place, finishing ahead of two wrestlers that placed at states last year.

Nansemond River sophomore 106-pounder Ryan Ledesma finished sixth.

The Group 4A state wrestling tournament is currently scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Salem Civic Center in Salem.