Just the Beginning the Rise of Skyline’s Josiah Sykes After a Breakout Super 32 Run.

Front Royal VA, Before Super 32, people in Virginia’s wrestling community knew who Josiah Sykes was. After Super 32, many more across the country do too. Walking into the Greensboro as a senior from Skyline High School, Sykes brought confidence and clear goals. Walking out, he carried something different: a clearer sense of where he stands on the national scale. "Finishing All-American at Super 32 showed me I’m able to hang with the best guys in the country,” he said. “It gave me confidence, but it also raised the bar for myself.”

Everything finally clicked.

Skyline head coach Kyle Symons has been closely monitoring Sykes’ growth throughout the offseason. “Josiah is young for his grade still only 17 when a lot of kids are holdbacks. He made a big physical jump this offseason, added muscle, and all the work he put in really showed at Super 32.” Symons said the performance aligned with what the coaching staff believed he was capable of. “We always knew that once he physically developed, he was capable of doing some big things. Super 32 was the first time it all came together. And honestly, we think he’s still just scratching the surface.”

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The Match That Stood Out: Beating Stanford Commit Zeno Moore

A defining moment of Sykes’ tournament came in his match against No. 1 seed and Stanford commit Zeno Moore. Sykes approached it realistically.

“Going into the match with Zeno, I knew he was the one seed for a reason. I just had to keep my head right and not let him control things early.” Moore attacked quickly, getting to Sykes’ legs in the opening moments. Sykes stayed calm, defended the position, and waited for his opening.

Late in the first period, he found it. “I used his pressure on the edge, got in on a shot, and finished it with only a couple seconds left.” The second period shifted the match even more. “He got in deep again, and when he came up, I hit Jonesy for five points.” It created a margin, but it also took a toll. “By then I was almost completely out of gas,” Sykes said.

Moore fought back to tie things up, but Sykes closed the match with composure. “He cut me to make it 12–11, and I just tried to wrestle smart. Stayed on the edge, stayed in bounds, and didn’t let him get to anything late.” The win became one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.

Handling the Attention and a Quick Turnaround

The reaction to the upset was immediate.

“Everyone was in disbelief that I pulled it off,” Sykes said. “My coaches told me to stay off the internet because it was going to go crazy. I didn’t.” The next morning brought another challenge. “I still had to wake up and wrestle a top 5 kid the next day.”

That quarterfinal match was tight throughout. “I dropped a close match 6–5. That one stung. My energy was gone, and my body was busted up.”

But the tournament wasn’t over. He still had to fight through the blood round to place and earn Super 32 All-American status. “I had to find it in me to fight through and secure my spot on the podium. Winning that match was one of the biggest reliefs of the weekend.” Soon after, Sykes suffered an ankle injury. I’m getting back in the room and getting after it.”Even with the setback, he left Greensboro having reached the podium and gained valuable experience.

Recruiting and Moving Toward a Decision

Sykes described the recruiting process as busy but positive.

“The recruiting process has been great a little overwhelming and repetitive, but I’ve enjoyed it.” He is nearing the point of making a choice.

“I’m narrowing down my options. I’m grateful for all the opportunities.”

One factor stands out for him. “Skyline feels like a family. I want that same type of culture in college.”

One Last Ride  Clear Goals Ahead

Sykes enters his senior year with confidence shaped by Super 32.

“My confidence is through the roof coming out of the tournament. I’m ready to compete.” Despite the ankle injury, he remains patient.

“I just need to trust the process. I’ll be ready for the season opener.”

His individual goals are straightforward. “I want to have an undefeated season.”

And his team goals are equally clear. “I see us winning a second state title. Our bond is what makes us so good. I’m excited for one last ride with my boys.” Skyline captured the Virginia 3A state title in 2025 the first in school history.

The Bigger Picture

Super 32 served as a meaningful checkpoint for Josiah Sykes. The tournament placed him in a field with nationally recognized athletes, and his performance provided a clearer sense of how he measures up. He showed the ability to win high-pressure matches, stay composed late, and respond after tough moments.

Between a major upset, a narrow quarterfinal loss, a win in the blood round, and an ankle injury, Sykes left Greensboro with experiences that will likely shape the remainder of his senior year. It wasn’t a perfect run, but it was a productive one the kind that offers both lessons and momentum.

As he moves forward with Skyline, Sykes carries confidence and a practical understanding of what it will take to accomplish the goals he’s set. The season ahead will provide another opportunity to build on what he established at Super 32.