The Shadow
ROANOKE – The Alleghany and Covington wrestling teams competed in Hidden Valley’s Titan Toughman Wrestling Tournament this past Friday and Saturday with the Cougars turning in two individual champions.
Covington finished eighth out of 19 teams, while the Mountaineers were 10th. Host Hidden Valley won the title for the first time since they started hosting the tournament as they outpointed 2008 Group A champ Glenvar.
Covington freshman Charlie Dickson won the 103-pound weight class with a 7-5 decision over Lord Botetourt’s Seth Charlton, while junior Chris Bowden won the 130-pound weight class by pinning Salem’s Chad Conner in 2:32.
Also medaling for the Cougars were Josh Laprade (3rd, 189 pounds), Devonte Laws (4th, 285 pounds) and Kevin Downer (5th, 119 pounds).
“This is the fifth straight year we’ve had at least one champion,” said Covington coach Ray Sullins. “We had a very good tournament to place eighth out of 19 teams, who are mostly AA or bigger.”
Travis Herald led Alleghany with a third place finish at 135 pounds after decisioning Northside’s Donte Collins, 8-3.
Also medaling for the Mountaineers were Dakota Scott (5th, 112 pounds), Casey Bradberry (5th, 125 pounds), Daniel Shifflett (5th, 215 pounds) and Cole Murray (6th, 119 pounds).
“It was not a bad performance for us considering we were missing one starter and that of our 11 scoring wrestlers, six were freshmen and sophomores,” said Alleghany coach Dale Burdette. “This tournament is a great early season barometer of where we are and it gives us an idea of what needs to be adressed.
