Rory Bonner Scores All-American Wrestling Honors

Rory Bonner never stops.

Weeks after most wrestlers in the state had wrapped up for the winter, Bonner, who ended up fifth in the state in his weight class, headed to Virginia Beach with a new goal in mind:

Become an All-American.

The junior headed down to Virginia Beach to take on the best from around the country in the National High School Coaches Assocation’s junior nationals at the end of March, and came back just that—one of the top eight juniors at 182 pounds in the country.

West Deptford wrestling head coach John Craig called it a huge accomplishment, and said the distinction was the product of Bonner’s drive and work ethic.

“When he sets a goal, he usually reaches it,” Craig said. “The sky’s the limit for Rory.”

It was no easy road to the top eight, either.

Bonner had to plow his way through a bracket that featured eight state champions and another seven who’d been in the top five in their states—and right off the bat, he had to tangle with North Carolina’s third-place finisher, Skyler Hicks, who Bonner dismantled, 9-2.

After that, he took down Nick Wethy, the fifth-place finisher from Florida, 5-2, before finding himself against Missouri champion Matt McClimens.

McClimens got the best of Bonner, winning in overtime, 4-2, but Bonner wasn’t finished.

New Mexico state champ Nick Chavez awaited Bonner in the wrestleback round, and Bonner came away with the 4-2 victory to ensure himself a shot at the top eight.

Unfortunately, that would be the last of Bonner’s wins for the tournament—he fell to Matt Moore, who was seventh in New Jersey at 195 pounds, and had cut weight to get into nationals, and lost in the seventh-place match to Tyler Green, who was seventh in Pennsylvania this year.

Craig called Bonner’s run through the bracket indicative of his ability to persevere in difficult circumstances, and said it bodes well for Bonner’s senior season.

“He’s well on his way,” Craig said.

After taking fifth at 182 pounds this year, Bonner will be shooting for a top finish, aiming to be West Deptford’s first state champion since Frank Pulio in 1964.

“Rory has the ability to do that,” Craig said.

And beyond high school, Craig said Bonner should find even more success.

“He hasn’t reached his peak,” Craig said.

Bonner’s already drawing interest from schools like Rider, Maryland and the University of Pennsylvania, both for his wrestling ability and his dedication to academics, Craig said.

“He’s getting a lot of looks,” Craig said. “There’s going to be options for him.”