The Shadow
ABINGDON — Justin Hall wrestled his way to a regional championship here Saturday.
Hall defeated Christiansburg’s Jack Thompson, 4-1, in the 285-pound title match, helping Alleghany to a sixth place finish at the Class 3, Region D championships at Abingdon High School.
Hall will be joined by three of his teammates this weekend at the state tournament in Salem.
Zack Silver qualified with a runner-up finish at 145 pounds, Haydon Washburn placed third at 132 pounds and Ethyn Kimberlin finished fourth at 126 pounds.
“Hall, Silver and Ethyn all went to the state tournament last year,” said Mountaineer coach Dale Burdette. “Hopefully that experience on the big stage will help them.”
Hall, who was sixth last year at the state event, moved his season record to 39-6 with three wins on his way to the regional crown.
Thompson had upset Magna Vista’s Dedric Hayden in the semifinals.
“We didn’t expect Hall to wrestle the Christiansburg kid,” said Burdette. “That kid was quick. But Justin slowed him down and controlled the tempo. He was in control of the match the whole way and came close to a pin. He deserved the No. 1 seed and wrestled like it.”
Silver was decisioned by Cave Spring’s Mark Daroshefski in the 145 pound final, 9-1.
“We thought Zack had a pretty favorable bracket,” Burdette said. “The Cave Spring guy did a good job winning the battle on his feet. That’s where Zack is strong.”
After losing to finalist James Thompson of Staunton River in his second match, Washburn rebounded to win two straight, including a pin of Blue Demon Ethan Slaughter in the third-place match.
“It was good to see him get through,” said Burdette of Washburn. “He’s won a lot of matches for us. It’s good to see him advance to the state tournament.”
Burdette wasn’t sure Kimberlin would be able to wrestle after suffering a knee injury in practice on Thursday.
“It was a pretty gutty effort,” said the AHS?coach. “He couldn’t even walk when he left practice (Thursday).”
Kimberlin’s first period pin of Lord Botetourt Trent Gallimore secured his return state trip.
Victor Goldberg, Joseph Edwards, Ivan Dobbs and Lucas Rogers also won regional matches.
“Obviously, we couldn’t have finished sixth without all those guys scoring points,” Burdette said. “And that was without Mitchell Brookman, who broke his hand in practice this weekend, and Justin Clarke, who was held out because of a skin issue. Joseph Edwards really battled. He’s a senior that was wrestling in a really tough weight class.”
Christiansburg, the 17-time defending state champion, outpointed Cave Spring for the regional team title, 290½-169. Lord Botetourt (134), Abingdon (133½) and Hidden Valley (117) completed the top five.
“We had four wins over Christiansburg wrestlers,” said Burdette. “That’s pretty cool.”
The state tournament begins at 10 a.m. on Friday at the Salem Civic Center.
Alleghany’s first round match-ups include:
• 126 – Kimberlin (35-11) vs. Lain Weaver, Fort Defiance (26-3);
• 132 – Washburn (41-8) vs. Brandon Latta, York (35-7);
• 145 – Silver (37-5) vs. Cameron Bloomfield, Petersburg (19-14);
• 285 – Hall (38-6) vs. Charles Bitter, Warren County (27-13).
