Christiansburg High School’s four senior wrestlers, front row (from left) Xander Whitehurst and Marshall Keller; back row, Nick Giantonio and Erik Eva, pose beneath a board in the practice facility that lists past wrestlers who have helped the Blue Demons to 16 straight state championships.
Christiansburg’s wrestling team will go for its 17th straight state title this weekend when they travel to Newport News for the 3A tournament. Four seniors have been there for the last three and are hoping for one more.
Marshall Keller, Erik Eva, Nick Giantonio and Xander Whitehurst, say it doesn’t feel real that they will be taking to the mat for the very last time as a Blue Demon, but they would love to pick up both an individual and team title.
All four began their wrestling careers at five-year old and have moved through the local programs to get to where they are today. Keller will continue his wrestling career at Princeton, and Eva is headed to Davidson. The other two also hope to wrestle after high school, but have not committed to any college at this time.
Coach Cliff Warden has only coached the group of seniors this year but has seen how important they have been to the school’s rich wrestling history.
“These four guys represent what Christiansburg wrestling is all about. They’re going to outwork you five days a week all year long and wrestle at least 50-75 more matches than you during the off season. Then when it comes time to winning a state championship their mentality is, ‘I deserve it more than you so I’m gonna [sic] take it.’ These guys all helped with our youth camp during the summer and have been a part of coaching the rec league in previous years. They understand that giving back will continue our wrestling tradition,” Warden said.
Keller has compiled a 144-15 record in his four years at CHS and is humbled with the culture that he has been a part of at the school. Additionally, he points to the talent each wrestler faces just during practice amongst their own team.
“That makes us all better, because we’re going up against some of the best in practice,” he said.
Keller won the regional championship and was named the region’s wrestler of the year. The other three also brought home regional titles.
“We’ve been through some wars together. They’re a good group of guys, and I consider them my brothers. We will root for each other this weekend, and I will miss those guys,” Keller said.
Warden said Keller has tremendous leadership qualities, and his pace in practice is incredible.
“He helps to hold everyone accountable which is important in helping the younger guys develop. Marshall had a great preseason winning Journeyman Fall Classic, placing fourth at Super 32 and maxing points in duals,” Warden said. “The rest of our squad is super competitive, with Keller raising the bar others are striving harder to match it. Marshall has been my go to guy to help me figure out the system that was in place here at Christiansburg and areas we needed to work on.”
Giantonio is also honored to have been apart of something special at CHS. During a break from Tuesday’s practice, he looked back with the fact that he has had three different head coaches.
“All of them have helped me to be better,” he said.
Warden confessed Giantonio played a huge role in the transition for his son and him when they moved to the school from Independence, West Virginia.
“Nick is good workout partner for Nate (Warden’s son), but as important Nick’s outgoing personality made a quick fishing buddy. Nick, my son and the team quickly bonded into a brotherhood different from before,” the coach said.
According to staff and teammates, Giantonio has put in the strongest off-season effort in the weight room and on the mat during his high school career.
The remarks from Warden on the other two seniors were similar. He sings their praises and knows they will be missed
“Whitehurst is one of the hardest working kids in the room. He doesn’t say much but leads by example, allowing his partners no rest at any point until practice is over and is on a mission for his first state title after three years of rejection. His consistency and extra workouts will make it happen,” Warden said.
Eva is a third period wrestler, according to the coach, and a nightmare at that time for his opponent.
“Erik is in great condition and incredibly strong for his weight class. You can attribute this to his work ethic in the weight room and on the mat. Erik, too, is a quiet leader but a huge reason for the success of our upper [weight classes],” Warden concluded.
The Blue Demons will defend the championship belt this weekend and hope to bring back number 17 on Sunday.
