Four Pulaski County High School wrestlers qualify for the state tournament on February 19th.
In order to qualify, these wrestlers had to place in the top four spots of their respective weight classes at the 4A Region D meet.
Junior Evan Alger placed first in the 182 weight class, earning 28 team points. In round one, Alger received a bye, moving him to the quarter-final where he won by fall to Wester Albemarle’s Ian Ratcliffe. In the semi-final Alger won against Ethan Boothe from Jefferson Forest, putting him in the final match to earn first place. Alger won the first place match against Samuel Miles from Salem. Alger wrestled a total of 3 minutes and 29 seconds, winning his final match in 57 seconds. “I look forward to competing at the state meet,” said Alger. “I’m definitely shooting for a title.”
Junior Gavin Warner placed second in the 120 weight class at the regional meet. Gavin beat Orange County’s Aiden Sliger in the semifinal but lost to Louisa’s Gianpaolo Ciotola in the first place match. Warner said, “It feels good to qualify, my teammates and I have worked so hard this season.”
Sophomore Xavier Ramsey placed second in the 106 weight class at the regional meet. Ramsey bested Amherst’s John Brunner in the Semifinal but lost in the first place match to Orange County’s Waylon Rodgers. Ramsey said, “I could’ve done better in the last match but I plan to make up for it at states.” At the regional meet, Xavier scored 20.0 points for his team.
Junior Nick Golden placed fourth in the 132 weight class, earning 13 team points. Golden won by major decision over Amherst County’s James Travers in the quarter-final, but lost the semi-final to Blacksburg’s Garrett Henderson. Even though Golden lost, this put him in the concessions bracket to compete for third place. Golden won the concessions semi-final against Haden Smith from Salem, giving him the chance to win the third place match. Golden lost to Blake Schmitt from Jefferson Forest, earning fourth and a chance to compete at states. “I’m excited for the meet. My goal is to place better at states this year than last year," said Golden who placed top eight last year.
Sophomore Austin McNeil will also be travelling with the team as an alternate after placing fifth in the 138 weight class after losing the fifth place match to Peyton Yates from Halifax County.
Freshman Shawn Head placed sixth after losing the concessions final to Divine Lawson from E. C. Glass in the 220 weight class.
All of the wrestlers look forward to representing Pulaski County High School at the state tournament on February 19th in Virginia Beach.
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