By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH — Under the leadership of head coach Greg Martin, Page County’s wrestling program continues to grow and improve. Coach Martin reported a record number of wrestlers this year at 23, and he projects six state qualifiers at season’s end. Last winter, the Panthers produced three — including the school’s first female.
Junior Jordan Hedrick, wrestling at 175 pounds, is among the team’s most experienced. Hedrick has qualified for the Class 2 state wrestling tournament in the Salem Civic Center the last two seasons. Last year he qualified for state at 215 pounds. In the early going this season, Hedrick went 3-0 at a quad meet to open the season on Dec. 6 at William Monroe. The junior grappler then went 2-2, good enough for fifth place, at Harrisonburg High School among Class 3 and Class 4 competition on Dec. 8-9. Hedrick was just one win away from the medal round.
Junior Kaylee Campbell, wrestling this season at 106 pounds, made history last season as Page County’s first female wrestler to reach state. She also participated in the inaugural VHSL Girls Open State Wrestling Tournament, where she went 2-2 to finish in 9th place at 112 pounds among 31 competitors. Earning fifth place and the school’s first All-State honors for a female wrestler was junior Mackenzie Painter, who is wrestling in the 215-pound class this season.
Campbell went 3-0 at William Monroe and 3-2 (for fourth place) in Harrisonburg at 106 pounds. At both recent tournaments, the Panthers have been down some of its starters due to illness and injuries, according to Coach Martin.
The season opener on Dec. 6, a quad meet at William Monroe, featured William Monroe, Madison County and Woodberry Forest. Page County went 1-1-1, with a win over Woodberry Forest (46-34), a tie with Madison at 36, and a loss to Class 3 William Monroe, 38-32. Five different Panthers turned in 3-0 performances, including Campbell, Hedrick, senior Karma Guinn (112 lbs), senior Nick Moore (190 lbs) and senior Alex Perez (285 lbs).
“I was so excited and happy with the Page County performance,” Coach Martin said of the season opener. “We had [five wrestlers] go 3-0 on the night; we had Mason Bennett and Jamie Nunez go 2-1. The veterans wrestled like veterans, and the new wrestles to the team, wrestled like they’ve been wrestling for years. The Page County Wrestling Team was missing starters in the lineup, do to illness or injuries and still did outstanding.”
During the quad match at William Monroe, eighth grader Logan Richards went 3-0 while filling in for a starter. Unfortunately, his points did not count because he is in eighth grade.
“If we have everyone in the lineup, we go undefeated that night,” Coach Martin stated. “Im very excited to see what’s in stored for this team. The coaching staff has a done a great job getting these kids ready to wrestle.”
Over the weekend, the Panthers participated in the prestigious Harrisonburg Invitational among much larger schools. However, after going 2-20 at this tournament last season, Page County won more than 20 matches during the two-day tournament.
Campbell claimed the highest finish in 4th place, while five Panthers finished at 2-2 for fifth place, including Hedrick, Guinn, Bennett, freshman Kayla Pence (120 lbs) and sophomore Michael Shifflett (144 lbs).
“The team did outstanding,” Coach Martin said. “Kaylee Campbell fought hard in a tough tournament, and came away with a 4th place medal; Karma Guinn, Kayla Pence, Mason Bennett, Michael Shifflett and Jordan Hedrick was just one win away from getting into the medal round, and their performance was outstanding.”
“The team was missing a few starters, do to different reasons, but overall, they did an excellent job,” Coach Martin continued. “I can’t say enough about this team, they keep getting better and better and better every day.”
The Panthers will hit the mat again on Wednesday, Dec. 20, when they host William Monroe and Buffalo Gap in a tri-meet.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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