The Shadow
For the second time in five days, Alleghany and William Byrd split victories in 14 weight classes.
But once again, the Mountaineers fell just short Saturday.
The Terriers used five pins and a tech fall to outpoint the hosts, 38-36, in the title match at the Alleghany Duals.
Alleghany, who had lost 37-36 to Byrd Tuesday, shuffled their line-up in the tournament final.
“We tried to make some moves but it just didn’t work out,” said Mountaineer coach Dale Burdette. “We just gave up too many bonus points.”
Trailing 38-27 entering the last two bouts of the day, Alleghany needed pins out of Nathan Sizemore and Clayton Talkington for 12 team points and a tournament championship.
They finished just seconds short.
Sizemore, trailing 5-3 with just 45 seconds to wrestle, earned a reversal and had his Terrier opponent on his back for the final half-minute.
But the 10-5 Sizemore win was good for only three team points, sealing the title for Byrd.
“Nathan pinned that guy earlier in the week, but that kid did a great job of stalling and staying away,” said Burdette.
Daniel Shifflett, Casey Bradberry and Travis Herald all had first period pins against the Terriers, Talkington got a second period pin, while Derek Burhenn won an exciting 2-1 decision.
Alleghany put together a 4-1 record on the day, besting Heritage and Greenbrier East in cross bracket matches, before disposing of Rockbridge County (54-27) in the quarterfinals and Patrick Henry (48-28) in the semis.
Brady Seldomridge (5-0), Burhenn (3-0), Bradberry (5-0), Herald (5-0), Sizemore (5-0) and Shifflett (5-0) all won individual gold medals for the Mountaineers, Cole Murray (4-1) and Talkington (4-1) captured silver, while Justin Guzman (3-2) and Addison Morgan (3-2) won bronze.
“Overall, we wrestled pretty good,” said Burdette. “The competition every year in this tournament has gotten better and better. We added Byrd this year. We’ve been able to put together a good, competitive tournament.”
Byrd, competing at the Duals for the first time, won their three bracket matches by a combined eight points.
The Terriers trimmed East (38-36) and Salem (40-37) to earn their spot in the finals.
“We changed the format a little bit and went with the bracket like (former Alleghany) Coach (Tom) Beirne used to run,” Burdette added. “I think it made for more of a build up.”
Alleghany, who features four freshmen and five sophomores in their line-up, is now 9-4 on the year.
“All four losses, if one match goes the other way we win,” said Burdette. “Those guys are improving, no doubt.”
Salem defeated Patrick Henry in the third-place team match, with Greenbrier East, Heritage, Rockbridge and Pulaski County completing the 8-team field.
“Thanks to the MAC Club and our parents, along with Mr. (John) Hutchison,” finished Burdette. “Their efforts keep these good teams coming back.”
