Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Snow delay doesn't hamper Blue Demons
Christiansburg wrestlers win eight individual titles as the Blue Demons eye a 9th straight state title.
JUSTIN COOK The Roanoke Times
Christiansburg's Zach Weller pins Hidden Valley's Eli Dickenson in the 215-pound class during the River Ridge District wrestling meet at Christiansburg High.
Justin Cook The Roanoke Times
Christiansburg's Dave Peoples is pinned by Blacksburg's Daniel Stinespring in the 103-pound class.
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CHRISTIANSBURG This past weekend's snowstorm may have prevented a lot of things from happening, but in the case of the River Ridge District wrestling tournament, perhaps it just delayed the inevitable.
After Saturday's postponement, Christiansburg kicked off its postseason run at a ninth straight state title by winning the district championship in its home gym on Monday, piling up 248 ½ points.
Hidden Valley finished in second with 180, Salem was third with 136 ½, Blacksburg was fourth with 103, Cave Spring finished fifth with 93 ½ and Pulaski County finished with 85 ½.
The Blue Demons sent 11 wrestlers to the championship finals and came away with eight individual champs.
Joey Dance (112), Keith Krafft (125), Devin Carter (130), Zach Epperly (135), Brady Epperly (140), James Linkous (145), Rich Eva (152) and Nick Criner (285) each earned the top spot in their weight class to spur Christiansburg to the win.
"I think we've done pretty good with all our young guys and stuff," Brady Epperly said after his win.
Now they'll see how they fare at the Region IV tournament, which begins on Friday at Christiansburg High School.
And that's not exactly a ton of time to get ready.
But Epperly said that shouldn't be a problem.
"I guess we'll just get back on the mat and prepare ourselves for it," he said.
Blacksburg's Neal Kennedy was one of three champs for the Bruins as he came away with the win at 119 in his return from an ankle injury he suffered earlier in the season.
Kennedy won the state title at 103 last season.
"Just glad to be able to compete in the postseason," he said before adding that he felt good.
Daniel Stinespring (103) and James Peterson (171) also placed first for Blacksburg.
Salem had two champs with Devin Smith (189) and Jacob Semones (215).
David Williams won the crown at 160 for Hidden Valley.
The top five wrestlers in each division advance to the Region IV tournament.
Team scores
1. Christiansburg (Cb) 248 1/2, 2. Hidden Valley (HV) 180, 3. Salem (S) 136 1/2, 4. Blacksburg (B) 103, 5. Cave Spring (CS) 93 1/2, 6. Pulaski County (PC) 85 1/2.
Individual results
Championship finals
103 Daniel Stinespring (B) p. Tim Yang (HV), 5:51.
112 Joey Dance (Cb) p. Austin Lail (S), 1:03.
119 Neal Kennedy (B) d. Gabe Lumpp (Cb), 7-3.
125 Keith Krafft (Cb) d. Jacob Monroe (B), 13-9.
130 Devin Carter (Cb) p. Jake Kite (HV), 4:25.
135 Zach Epperly (Cb) d. Munkhush Jargalsaikhan (HV), 5-2.
140 Brady Epperly (Cb) d. C.T. Talevi (CS), 4-1.
145 James Linkous (Cb) d. Trae Patterson (HV), 8-2.
152 Rich Eva (Cb) d. Zach Myers (B), 6-0.
160 David Williams (HV) p. Ryan Wade (Cb), 2:40.
171 James Peterson (B) p. Matt Bowman (PC), 5:58.
189 Devin Smith (S) d. Cory Reese (CS), 6-2.
215 Jacob Semones (S) p. Zach Weller (Cb), 3:46.
285 Nick Criner (Cb) d. Cray Webb (CS), 8-2.
Consolation finals
103 Dane Peoples (Cb) p. Lucas Dillon (S), 5:34.
112 Zach McRoy (HV), bye.
119 Danny Ortiz (HV), bye.
125 Jake Brabham (HV) p. Brent Cox (S), :39.
130 Chad Conner (S) d. Matt Morris (PC), 7-2.
135 Andrew Benitez (CS) p. Walker Necessary (S), 2:25.
140 Josh Slate (HV) p. Aaron Akers (PC), 2:55.
145 Scott Freeman (CS), bye.
152 Jordy Martin (HV) d. Zach Hudson (CS), 8-5.
160 Travis Swain (S) p. Trevor Southard (PC), 2:58.
171 Mark Garnand (Cb) d. John Tyree (HV), 2-1 OT.
189 Tommy Wojcik (PC) m.d. Brandon Taylor (Cb), 13-1.
215 Cameron Fitzwater (PC) p. Eli Dickerson (HV), 4:31.
285 David Woods (S) d. Preston Pease (HV), default.
Fifth-place matches
103 None
112 None
119 None
125 Daniel Shelley (PC), bye.
130 Isaac Fox (B), bye.
135 Trevor Hess (PC) p. Mitchell Williams (B), 4:49.
140 None
145 None
152 Zach Saunders (S) p. Michael Howard (PC), :16.
160 None
171 Brooks Henson (S), bye.
189 Paul Shumate (HV), bye.
215 Garret Legg (CS), bye.
285 Ethan Caldwell (PC), bye.
