Senior 132-pounder Kevin Dale became the first Lakeland High School wrestler in years to place at states when he took sixth over the weekend at the 2016 Virginia High School League Group 3A state championships in Salem.

Looking back on the 2015-16 season overall, Cavaliers coach Nathan Hoffman said, “I was very pleased with how we did. I really felt like we had some individuals that grew a lot.”

Dale made it to states and was accompanied by junior 138-pounder Ziquan Edwards, who went as an alternate, set to wrestle if there was an injured wrestler in his weight class or an opening for some other reason.

“We were excited for a minute,” Hoffman said, because he had learned there was an opening, but it was at the 2A level, so Edwards did not end up getting to compete.

Dale wrestled four matches over the weekend, going 1-3. He started out against Hidden Valley High School senior Zachary Long and lost by pin, three minutes and 53 seconds into the match.

Then, Dale took on Culpeper County High School junior Kameron Mize, who got hurt at the end of the first one-minute round, which is the length of rounds in the consolation bracket. Mize attempted to continue the match, starting the second round, but he only made it 11 seconds more.

Dale competed next against Cave Spring High School senior Josh McCray, who successfully pinned Dale in two minutes and 42 seconds.

In the fifth place match, Dale lasted four minutes and 33 seconds before Staunton River High School sophomore Nathan Kearns pinned him.

“We’re going into next season with (seven) seniors, so that’s exciting,” Hoffman said, adding that several of his wrestlers were just inches away from placing at regionals this year. He hopes a few more of those will be state qualifiers next year.

Among his wrestlers that will come back as seniors next season is 145-pounder Tut Harville.

“He’s hoping to gain some muscle mass over the summer and move up,” Hoffman said.

Junior 160-pounder Jacob Marshall is expected back, along with junior heavyweight Hunter Etheridge, who Hoffman said might be trying to go down to 220.

Junior Deontre Hunter should be another returning heavyweight.

Armaun and Dajun Jacobs, twin brothers, plan to graduate next year but also should be able to build on what they accomplished this season on the mat.

Armaun Jacobs filled in a few times in the 132-pound weight class and stepped up significantly in some matches during the season.

Dajun Jacobs wrestled up to the 152-pound weight class, though he was more naturally around the 138-pound class. Nevertheless, he still produced a decent record at about .500.

Ziquan Edwards, Lakeland’s only conference champion this season, should be back, as well, to help lead the team.

“I’m kind of thinking he might bump up to (1)45,” Hoffman said. “Tut might bump up to (1)52.”