~ PVN staff report
STAUNTON, Feb. 10 — On Saturday, the Page County High School wrestling team sent eight grapplers down to Riverheads High School to compete in the Region 2B Wrestling Tournament. Missing two key wrestlers due to injury, Page barely missed a ticket to the state tournament as a team, but two individual Panthers made it to the podium (top three) and qualified for the Class 2 state wrestling tournament at the Salem Civic Center this weekend, Feb. 16-17.
Sophomore Michael Shifflett (144lb) and junior Jordan Hedrick (175lb) both placed third in their respective weight classes at the Region 2B tournament. Shifflett is now 23-10 on the season heading into state, while Hedrick is 23-12.
Two other Panthers barely missed qualifying for state, as freshman Kayla Pence and senior Nick Moore both finished in fourth place. Pence has posted a record of 17-15 in the 113-pound class, while Moore has gone 18-11 at 190 pounds.
Three Panthers finished in sixth place — sophomore Cameron Deneal (126lb), junior Mason Bennett (138lb) and freshman Jamie Nunez (157lb) — while sophomore Gunnar Stanley (132lb) came in seventh.
“I was proud of all all the wrestlers,” PCHS wrestling coach Greg Martin said. “I was pleased with the way this team continued to get better and better. I’m going to miss my seniors, and their leadership in the wrestling room, but wish them the best.”
Junior Kaylee Campbell qualified for the Region 2B tournament in the 106-pound weight class, but “she suffered a knee injury and was unable to participate,” according to Coach Martin. Campbell had a record of 22-9 this season and was key team leader.
Senior Karma Guinn was also missing from the region tournament after she broke a vertebrae in her back and ended her season a couple of weeks ago. Guinn amassed a record fo 16-5 before the injury.
“I think Michael Shifflett and Jordan Hedrick have a good chance to get on the podium at the state tournament Saturday,” Coach Martin said. “This will be Jordan Hedrick’s third trip to the state wrestling tournament, and he knows how it goes.
“You go from wrestling in front of 200 people, to wrestling in front of 6,000 people at the Salem Civic Center,” Coach Martin continued. “If Jordan and Michael can settle their nerves and focus on the match and not the screaming crowd, they will do well.”
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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