Page earns first region titles on the mat; Shifflet one win away from 100
~ PVN staff report
STRASBURG, Feb. 14 — The Page County wrestling program reached a new milestone last weekend when the Panthers earned their first region titles on the mat. Three of the seven local grapplers that participated in the Region 2B wrestling tournament on Saturday at Strasburg High School earned a spot in this weekend’s VHSL Class 2 state wrestling tournament at the Salem Civic Center.
“I was so proud of the wrestlers,” PCHS head coach Greg Martin said. “They wrestled with heart and their effort was relentless.”
Senior Michael Shifflett went 2-0 and took gold in the 144-pound weight class. He now stands just one win away from 100 for his high school career. Shifflett is ranked No. 3 in his weight class statewide as he heads to the Class 2 state tournament.
Sophomore Logan Richards also went 2-0 and won gold in the 157-pound weight class. These are the first region titles earned by a Panther in program history. Richards is ranked No. 6 in his weight class statewide.
Senior Cameron Deneal went 3-1 and earned third place in the 132-pound weight class. The top three finishers in each weight class earned a spot in the state tournament.
“You also had Raymond Velle-Rios at the 120-pound class, who upset the No. 2 seed in the first round… it was such a great match, and he has improved so much,” Coach Martin said of Rios, who went 1-2 at the region tourney. “The big surprise was at the 150-pound class, as first-year wrestler Jordan Roberts just missed earning a trip to the big dance…finishing in fourth place, and is an alternate for the VHSL State Wrestling Tournament.”
Bri Bracken (120lb), Kayla Pence (138lb) and Casey Bailey (145lb) represented the Panthers at the girls wrestling zone qualifier Feb. 14-15 at Franklin County High School.
“Now that girls wrestling is sanctioned, they must finish in the top four to participate in the VHSL Girls State Wrestling Tournament,” Coach Martin said.
Bracken entered the zone qualifier with a 23-4 record on the season.
“She’s been in the boys starting lineup all year long, so she’s been getting it done, and very well could’ve made the state in the boys… she’s that good,” Coach Martin said. “And the same goes for Kayla Pence…she’s tough and very well could’ve made the state in the boys division, and has scored a lot of points for the Panthers this year. She has a record of 16-6.”
Bailey is a first-year wrestler, but Martin says, “She’s gotten better, and I really think she could have a good showing.”
On Feb. 7, Page County took nine wrestlers to the Bull Run District wrestling tournament, also held at Strasburg High School — seven of them placed, three reached the finals, and two won district titles.
“I was so impressed with the Panthers performance,” said Coach Martin. “Putting three in the finals, and coming away with two champions, was amazing.”
Shifflett (144lbs) pinned Stonewall Jackson’s Hoover in the second period to go 2-0 and win his district title, while Richards (157lbs) dominated with a 10-1 decision over Central’s Schlief to go 2-0 and secure his district title. Roberts (150lbs) upset his way to the championship match with a win over Central, before losing to Brayden Martinez of Strasburg and finishing as the district runner-up.
“I can’t say enough about Jordan Roberts, wrestling in his first year, and making the championship at 150 pounds,” Coach Matin. “He sure didn’t wrestle like it was his first year… he looked like a seasoned veteran on the mat.”
Deneal took third place at the district tournament in the 132-pound weight class after going 2-1. Velle-Rios (120lbs), Jace Roberts (138lbs), and Branson Campbell (165lbs) all secured fourth place. Jace Roberts went 2-2, while Velle-Rios and Campbell went 1-2.
“I thought Cameron Deneal at the 13-pound class did awesome, and by far the toughest weight class there, to come away with a third-place medal was great,” Coach martin said. “Jace Roberts, Branson Campbell, Raymond Velle-Rios, all wrestled their tails off to take fouth place. “
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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