:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/YQWK62ZHGVGKBJNE4LOAQZZ4AY.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tronc/OOKKQR3KC5ACLCADJTWGIVFM2Q.jpg)
VIRGINIA BEACH — Fourth place at the state tournament wasn’t enough for a First Colonial freshman.
Thomas Stofka wanted more.
“When he took fourth in the state [at 138 pounds], he went around the corner and he was vividly upset,” Patriots wrestling coach Rodney Johnson said. “I talked to him for a little while, but that day he set a goal.
“And he attained that goal.”
One year later, Stofka capped a dominant season at 138 with a Class 5 state title.
“I didn’t really show that much emotion, but it was a really good feeling,” Stofka said. “Probably the best day of my life.”
Now a junior and team captain, Stofka is uncovering new qualities as a veteran leader for First Colonial, ranked seventh in Hampton Roads, while focusing on a second straight state championship.
“Obviously, you have to talk to your guys, so that’s what I’ve been trying to prove a lot this season,” Stofka said, “because these past seasons I was trying to lead by example, which helps a lot, but if you really connect with the guys and talk to them, it helps a lot more.”
Voicing his enthusiasm and shouting instructions to teammates, like he did during Wednesday’s win over Salem, hasn’t surprised Johnson.
“He loves to help,” Johnson said. “In this sport, that’s big because you got some upper-echelon kids and they won’t give you the time of day, but Thomas — if he sees a kid that’s struggling or needs help, he’s the first one over there.”
Unlike many top-tier wrestlers, Stofka doesn’t have a family pedigree in the sport. He tried baseball, but thought he might find more success in an individual sport.
“Me, my brother and dad would always wrestle around and they put me in wrestling,” Stofka said.
Stofka lives for the focus and mental fortitude needed for wrestling.
“I think what separates the best guys is their mentality,” Stofka said. “They’re kind of cocky, but they’re not ... just super-confident. I feel like I have that. If I face a tough opponent who also has that mentality, it’s who has the stronger mentality, and I feel like a lot of the time I do.”
Finding competition for Stofka can be its own challenge as not every dual is guaranteed to have an opponent. Stofka won by forfeit against Salem.
“That’s tough,” Johnson said. “You have to be creative to keep him going. Luckily, I have other assistant coaches that will step in there and wrestle with him and roll around with him.”
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tronc/SMO5WELWPZDM7DVVS2SKPSTFQA.jpg)
Today's Top Stories
Stofka’s mental strength meshes well with his technical ability.
“Thomas is a grinder,” Johnson said. “He will break you down and he will score points at will. He loves to get in there and scrap when need be. He picks and chooses. He’s stealth.”
Ranked No. 1 in Hampton Roads at 150 pounds, Stofka began the season at that weight, but has found 157 to offer better competition and a less-taxing weight cut.
Working with his club team, Alchemy, Stofka hopes to add more unrelenting pressure and better handfighting to his game because “that’s what gets you to the college level.”
And, he hopes, that will help add to the trophy cabinet.
“He just has the drive and the will,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t matter how many points he’s down, he’s not gonna stop until that whistle blows, until that six minutes is up. He’s gonna make a statement.”
Ray Nimmo, ray.nimmo@pilotonline.com