Two Panthers take the podium and earn all-state honors
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Our apologies to Coach Martin, the Panther wrestlers, and the parents involved for our tardiness in posting this story.
~ PVN staff report
HENRICO — Late last month, two members of the Page County High School girls wrestling team earned all-state honors after finishing among the top six in their weight class at the VHSL Girls State Wrestling Tournament held at the Henrico Sports Complex.
Mackenzie Painter went 5-1 in the state tournament at the 235lb weight class to earn third place. This is the third-straight year that Painter has earned all-state honors at this tournament.
“I was so excited for Mackenzie Painter,” PCHS head coach Greg Martin said. “She’s earned all-state honors for three years in a row, but this time she did it the hard way — she won four matches in a row, and she did it with a dominating performance.”
Kaylee Campbell would take sixth place at the 107lb weight class.
“She won her first two matches on Wednesday to put her in the semifinals, but she would lose her next three matches on Thursday to finish in 6th place,” Coach Martin said. “She upset the No. 2-ranked wrestler in the state in the quarterfinals, to secure her place on the podium.”
Kayla Pence also qualified for the girls state tournament in the 126lb weight class and went 1-2 at state.
“I thought Kayla Pence wrestled tough. She would lose 5-4 in her first match, she would win her second match by pin, and then she would lose her third match, which eliminated her from the [state] tournament,” Coach Martin said. “The good news is Kayla Pence is just a sophomore, and even though she would come up a little short from the podium, she was in every match she would lose, and her weight class was one of the toughest there.”
All three Page County wrestlers placed in the top four in their zone qualifier on Feb. 1 at Rocktown High School in Harrisonburg in order to be able to compete at the girls state tournament.
“It was an awesome performance from all three of the wrestlers,” Coach Martin said. “I can’t say enough about these girls. They give you everything they got on that wrestling mat, and I’m going miss my two seniors, Kaylee Campbell and Mackenzie Painter. Their presence in the wrestling room will be missed.”
For more information about the 2025 VHSL Girls State Wrestling Tournament,
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