~ PVN staff report
SHENANDOAH — The Page County wrestling program continues to make strides as the Panthers sent two grapplers to the VHSL Class 2 state wrestling tournament at the Salem Civic Center Feb. 15-16, and three female wrestlers to the second annual VHSL girls state wrestling tournament held at Garfield High School in Woodbridge Feb. 23-24.
Sophomore Michael Shifflett, who wrestles at the 144-pound class, finished the season with a record of 24-12 after going 1-2 at the state meet in Salem. In Shifflett’s first match, he pinned the Region C runner-up from Martinsville. He then advanced to face the No. 1 seed in his weight class from John S. Battle, where Shifflett went “toe-to-toe” for two periods before getting pinned. The score was tied in his third state match before Shifflett was pinned by a wrestler from Union.
Junior Jordan Hedrick, who wrestled at the 175-pound weight class, went into three overtimes during his first state match before losing by a score of 2-1. Hedrick then pinned a wrestler from Amelia in the second period of the next match, before then losing to a competitor from Radford in his final match by a score of 9-2.
“I was so impressed with both of the Page wrestlers,” PCHS wrestling coach Greg Martin said, “as they both nearly made all-state honors, and both will be back next year.”
The following weekend, Page County sent three female wrestlers to the second annual VHSL Girl’s State Wrestling Tournament Feb. 23-24 at Garfield High School in Woodbridge. Unlike the state tournament in Salem that breaks down wrestlers into six classifications, the girls wrestling tournament groups all six classifications together in each weight class.
“I think the VHSL should go ahead and sanction girls wrestling,” Coach Martin said. “I think it would be good for the sport, and these girls work just as hard.”
Junior Mackenzie Painter, wrestling at the 235-pound weight class, won her first two matches, putting her in the state semifinals and securing All-State honors. Painter lost her next two matches, but then won her final one to secure a place on the podium, take fifth place in her weight class, and earn All-State honors. The junior took fifth at the girls state meet last year.
“I was so happy for Mackenzie Painter, to come back from an ACL surgery,” Coach Martin said. “She has only been back a month, and to get back on the podium, and earning all state honors, once again is priceless.”
Freshman Kayla Pence, wrestling at 114 pounds, went 4-2 in her weight class, which featured 33 wrestlers at the all girls state meet. Pence finished in seventh place. The freshman barely missed the state tournament in Salem after finishing fourth at the Region B tournament.
“I was so impressed with the way these girls kept fighting,” Coach Martin said. “Kaylee Pence would lose her first match, and come back to win four straight matches. That is so hard to do, and to do it as a freshman, in a tournament that tough, is unheard of… and I am just so proud of her.”
Senior Elizabeth Ramos, wrestling in the 185-pound weight class, got injured in her opening match and had to medically forfeit out of the tournament. Ramos has dealt with injuries throughout the season, according to Coach Martin.
“I felt so bad for Elizabeth Ramos, being a senior, she would have to medically forfeit,” he said, “and to end her career like that, sometimes it just doesn’t seem fair, but these things happen…just an unfortunate situation.”
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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