Rockbridge County High School sophomore wrestler Harvey Presnell placed second at 165-pounds to lead the Wildcats to 13th place of 25 teams at the Turner Ashby Holiday Tournament on Friday and Saturday in Bridgewater.
Presnell pinned his first two opponents and then defeated Cave Spring’s Norman Tuggle in a 14-6 major decision in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Presnell beat Turner Ashby’s Walter Rhodes in a 9-4 decision. He then lost to Staunton River’s Lawson Ayers in the championship match in a 19-3 technical fall (lead of 15 points or more) in 2:40.
Although Presnell was the only Wildcat who placed in the top eight, senior Markus Nelson had a solid tournament at 157-pounds, pinning his first two opponents before he was pinned by Spotswood’s Kellen Conahan in 3:06 in the quarterfinals.
In a competitive field, the Wildcats tallied 85.5 points to finish a place behind the top Shenandoah District team, Staunton (12th, 92 points), and a spot ahead of district rival Fort Defiance (14th, 73).
Independence won the tournament with 232 points, while TA placed second with 226, and Cave Spring (211.5) finished third. Rounding out the top five were Staunton River (204) and Warren County (155).
After the holidays, the Wildcats will start the new year with a tournament at Oak Hill next Friday and Saturday, Jan. 2 and 3, starting at 10 a.m. on both days.
Shorter Wins In Radford
RC sophomore Tasha Shorter placed first at 152-pounds at the Lady Cat Invitational on Saturday at Radford High School.
Shorter, in her second year of wrestling, went 5-0, pinning three opponents and winning by forfeit twice.
