Virginia House Delegates, Greg Habeeb and Nick Rush, passed a resolution in the General Assembly honoring Christiansburg High School for its 16 straight state wrestling championships.
State delegates, Nick Rush and Greg Habeeb, presented a resolution Tuesday honoring the 16-time state champion Christiansburg High School wrestling team. The measure was passed by the Virginia General Assembly.
“We are super proud of the accomplishment of the wrestling team,” Rush said as he pointed out that he and Habeeb are both Christiansburg High School graduates. “We’re looking to 16 more resolutions recognizing this winning streak.”
The resolution reads: “the Christiansburg Blue Demons’ successful season is a tribute to the hard work and determination of all the student-athletes, the leadership and guidance of the coaches and staff, and the enthusiastic support of the entire Christiansburg High School community; now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Delegates, That the Christiansburg High School wrestling team hereby be commended on winning the Virginia High School League Group 3A state championship.”
The delegates presented the resolution to the team, coaches, administrators and students during a special ceremony in the school’s auditorium.
Habeeb agreed with Rush that the resolution was well deserved. “One of the things that we get to do in the General Assembly is to honor people in our districts through resolutions like this,” he said.
The team begins its journey next month toward a 17th straight title. Graduation took three of the team’s top performers, and the Blue Demons will also have a new coach as Cliff Warden takes over for Sonny Close who left after two seasons.
Warden, who won four state championships at Independence High School in Coal City, West Virginia, is Christiansburg’s fourth coach in the past 17 years.
Seven Independence wrestlers were in the championship round last season including Warden’s son, Nate at 160 pounds. He will be a sophomore this season at CHS.
Independence boasted the top three wrestlers in three West Virginia AA/A weight classes last year and locked up the championship before most of the team took to the mat in the semi-finals.
The scenario has been similar with Christiansburg dominating the mats on this side of the border for a long, long time.
Warden replaces Sonny Close who stepped down after two seasons at the helm of the defending state champion Blue Demons.
Warden led the Patriots to four consecutive AA/A state team titles while twice earning WVSSAC Coach of the Year honors and the 2015 NFHS Mideast Section Coach of the Year award. Warden wrestled for Edinboro University with current Virginia Tech wrestling Coach Tony Robie.