Hunter Bolen has been a part of three state team titles at Christiansburg High School and is the defending 3A state wrestling champ at 160 pounds. He recently took top honors at the Beast of the East tournament at the University of Delaware and is ranked fifth in the entire country with a 15-1 season mark.
Of course, CHS has won 15 straight team titles and is favored to do so again. Bolen is one of those anchors that could make it 16 in a row and individually has amassed a 66-4 record in his four seasons as a Blue Demon.
He started wrestling in the sixth grade and believes hard work and dedication has been the key in his success.
Bolen is humble in making the prediction that he will repeat later this season in the state tournament.
“I’m always trying to get better and sharpen things to a fine point. If you have that attitude, then you are on the right track to have success. The state tournament is just another tournament that you have to take one match at a time,” he said.
He is a two-time state champion and has been runner up at the Beast of the East tournament in the past along with the Flo Nationals.
Bolen is confident the team can defend the state banner.
“We have finished the highest at some of the big tournaments since I’ve been in high school this year,” he said. “We are working hard and will keep doing so, and when the state tournament rolls around we will be the best we can.”
Christiansburg will host both the conference and regional competition this season, in addition to the Big Blue tournament later this month. .
“We have had some of the best coaches around for almost a decade now, and they understand the key too being good. To get good, you have to wrestle people who are better than you, and a lot of people don’t like to lose, so they stay in-state and don’t challenge themselves. Getting good competition is the key to our success; losing makes you better,” Bolen said.
Christiansburg has done for that for almost 15 years, traveling to major high school tournaments around the country.
Former CHS and current Virginia Tech Coach Kevin Dresser was instrumental in getting that started when he moved from powerhouse Grundy High School. From there, the Blue Demons have been rewriting the record books.
Bolen recently announced his plans to attend Virginia Tech and wrestle for Dresser.
“I’ve always liked tech and I love the location so close to my home and family. I’m already familiar with campus and the coaches, so I think I will feel right at home,” he said.
He plans to major in business management at Tech.
