Nicely, Powell Finish Second at Salem

Two wrestlers earn runner-up titles at state championship event

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Carter Nicely and Nick Powell each placed second in their respective weight classes at the state wrestling championships held at the Salem Civic Center on Saturday. Powell finished as the runner-up at 106 pounds, while Nicely earned a second-place finish at 175 pounds.

Why it matters

The state wrestling championships are a highly competitive event that showcases the top high school wrestlers in the state. Finishing as a state runner-up is a significant achievement that demonstrates the skill and dedication of these two athletes.

The details

Powell lost his championship bout to Dylan Lulk of Skyline by an 81-0 decision, while Nicely fell to Liam Johnson of Goochland 13-3 in the finals. Both wrestlers had strong tournament runs leading up to their runner-up finishes.

  • The state wrestling championships were held on Saturday at the Salem Civic Center.

The players

Carter Nicely

A high school wrestler who finished as the state runner-up in the 175-pound weight class.

Nick Powell

A high school wrestler who finished as the state runner-up in the 106-pound weight class.

Dylan Lulk

A high school wrestler from Skyline who won the state championship in the 106-pound weight class, defeating Nick Powell.

Liam Johnson

A high school wrestler from Goochland who won the state championship in the 175-pound weight class, defeating Carter Nicely.

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The takeaway

Nicely and Powell's runner-up finishes at the state wrestling championships demonstrate their exceptional skills and hard work, and highlight the competitive nature of the event. Their performances are a testament to the dedication and talent of high school wrestlers in the state.