• Photo

Sphere IT

Save This Page

Reader Reaction

digg it

Local wrestlers compete in nationals

By NANCY DEMORY/Correspondent

Six young wrestlers from Wythe County, and one from Bland, accompanied by Rural Retreat wrestling coaches Rick Boyd and Daniel Crockett, competed at the National High School Coaches Association National Open Wrestling Championships held in Myrtle Beach, S.C., June 16-19.

The Wythe wrestlers brought home two finalist trophies, awarded to those who finished no less than eighth in their respective weight classes. Twenty eight states, from Virginia to Oregon, were represented, and Virginia finished the competition at a respectable fi fth place in state competition.

Wrestlers qualified for National Championship competition based on records in local school, state, and club sporting events, and were grouped by weight in elementary, middle and high school competitions.

Ty Boyd, the youngest wrestler, who just fi nished fourth grade at Rural Retreat Elementary, faced a class of 10 60-pounders entered in the Elementary Class. His first opponent was an Illinois State Champ who eventually was the class winner, and Ty battled to a loss on points. He won his next three matches coming up through the consolation brackets with a pin and two wins on points, one in overtime. Ty brought home a fourth place National Championship trophy. He was the local group’s highest fi nisher.

William Wright, a Virginia State championship qualifi er and a rising sophomore at Rural Retreat High School, faced 12 171-pounders in the Middle School Division.

After losing his fi rst match, he won his next but was stopped by a points loss in his fi nal match. Brandon Norris, who finished second in Virginia State competition, and graduated in June from Rural Retreat High School, competed in a class of 37 119- pounders. After pinning his first opponent, and winning the next two matches on points, he was stopped by a loss to the eventual fourth place trophy finisher in his weight class.

David Harrison, a rising senior at Rural Retreat High School, was up against a tough class of 50 152-pounders including two who were champions in their respective states. He entered the competition as a third place finisher in state competition. After wrestling four matches with three wins, two by falls and the other on points, a second loss stopped his drive for a trophy.

Levi Lanter, who just finished his junior year at George Wythe High School, and was a qualifi er in Virginia State Competition, faced off against 34 160-pounders.

His matches ended with two losses Alex Church, a recent graduate of Rocky Gap High in Bland County, began competition with 24 171-pounders. He battled to a fi rst win followed by a loss, but a second loss ended his chances to advance.

Rural Retreat’s final competitor, the heavyweight State Champion Scott Whitehead faced competition from 10 285-pounders. After one loss and three wins, he was the group’s second trophy holder with a 7th place national finish.