Tensions boil over as fight overshadows Highlands’ wrestling victory over Valley

By: Josh Rizzo
Wednesday, December 17, 2025 | 9:39 PM

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The tension between Valley’s Nolan Bodycombe and Highlands’ Taiyvon Partlow started during the lineup introductions. When Partlow offered to shake hands, Bodycombe shook his head no.

When the two stepped into the circle for their 172-pound bout, everything boiled over. Bodycombe claimed that Parlow bit him during the second period.

When Bodycombe went to show referee Dan McGowan the alleged bite, he yelled toward the Highlands bench and walked toward them. A Highlands wrestler not in his gear sprinted onto the mat to confront Bodycombe, kicking off a melee that forced a lengthy stoppage after people poured onto the mat from both sides.

The final three bouts of the Golden Rams’ 55-8 Section 9-2A win were wrestled in an empty gym. Both teams were given three-point deductions, and Partlow was awarded the win via disqualification.

Bodycombe and the Highlands wrestler who came off the bench, who wasn’t identified, were given flagrant fouls. Golden Rams coach Grant Walters, who also works as an official, said he was devastated by what transpired.

“I give Dan McGowan all the respect in the world,” Walters said. “That was something I wouldn’t have handled that way. We basically had everyone in the whole gym, including the teams fighting. As an outsider looking in, as an official, I wouldn’t want to deal with anything like that. He took care of it in a positive manner. Both kids deserved what they got.”

Valley coach Dane Johnson said he didn’t see what transpired in the pre-match. He said he would have addressed it immediately if he knew.

“I wasn’t aware of that,” Johnson said. “I’m embarrassed. I don’t condone that type of behavior. It’s unacceptable on both ends. It’s not what I coach or preach to our kids.”

Partlow, who was ahead 3-0 in the second period when the match was stopped, was awarded the disqualification win because the official determined there was no bite. The match was previously halted for a potentially dangerous call when Bodycombe had a figure four around Partlow’s body.

Walters, who was aware of what transpired pre-match, never would have imagined how things ended up.

“I didn’t think it would get that far out of hand,” Walters said. “The ref’s clarification said it was a crossface. There were no bottom teeth marks. Me being an official, that’s what you are supposed to look for.”

Highlands was ahead 37-11 when the match was stopped. Valley forfeited the first three bouts. The Golden Rams built on that lead when Javeon Chambers picked up a tech fall at 127 pounds, and DeJamire Suber followed with a 9-7 win by decision over Radyn Thomas.

Juzeff Betts (139 pounds) and Brendon Knuckles (145) collected both of the Vikings’ wins. Reda Shareef (152), Bryce Tavarez (160), Logan Thies (189), Josh Battochi (215) and Cayden Dadowski also won for Highlands.

Both teams are ready to turn the page. Johnson doesn’t want this result to impact the program he has tried to build.

“Over the years, everyone who has watched us knows we conduct ourselves in a way better manner than that,” Johnson said.

Walters was similarly shaken.

“I’m upset,” Walters said. “I’m sick to my stomach about what happened with our kid. He should have never come off the bench, we don’t teach that. We will correct it and move forward.”

Tags: Highlands, Valley