The dual match struggles continued for the Parry McCluer High School wrestling team over the past two weeks, as illness and injury decimated the shorthanded squad.
Already surrendering forfeits in seven weight classes, the Blues were down two more grapplers last Wednesday night in Buena Vista and dropped a 53-6 decision to Pioneer District foe Bath County. A week earlier, on Jan. 7, PM fell to Giles 54-23 and lost to Grayson County 60-21 in a tri-meet in Pearisburg.
PM head coach Jeremiah Brockenbrough said the injuries “are kind of hurting us right now,” explaining that 150-pounder Liam Long was hurt just before the match with Bath County began and the Blues were wrestling without Grayson Simmons at 157-pounds. “That affected their heads,” continued Brockenbrough. “Sometimes that’s hard for a high school kid to let that go and compete at a high level.”
Brody Julian was the only winner in the showdown with Bath County. He pinned his 126-pound opponent, Emily Robertson, in just 53 seconds.
Julian also picked up victories in the tri-meet a week earlier. The PM sophomore scored a technical fall (lead of 15 points or more) over Brisyn Roberts of Giles before pinning Grayson County’s Kyle Bourne.
Two other PM wrestlers, Jordan Brockenbrough and Timber Thomas, returned from the long trip against potential Region 1C foes at Giles with two victories apiece. Brockenbrough scored a pair of pins at 138, taking down Dominic Jones of Giles and Grayson County’s Donovan Gonzales. Thomas (285/heavyweight), pinned Jaxson Smith of Giles before rallying in the third period with a takedown to earn a 4-2 decision against Grayson County’s Dennis McGovern.
Lucas Ramsey, at 132, rounded out PM’s scoring against Giles with a pin of Elijah McCoy. Isaiah Gilbert picked up the Blues’ only other victory against Grayson County, pinning Champ Lorenz at 144.
The Blues were scheduled to close out the dual portion of their schedule last night at home against Rural Retreat and Riverheads. They will get another tune-up for the Region 1C tournament, which is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 14 at Bath County High School, with a trip to the Big Red Invitational at Riverheads on Saturday, Jan. 31.
“We have to get back to what we have been doing well,” said Brockenbrough. “I think this week we should have a better turnout on the mat. We’re looking forward to it.”
