.jpg)
Led by sophomore Jackson Brockenbrough’s second-place finish, the Parry McCluer High School wrestling team placed seventh of 12 teams at the Rural Retreat Invitational on Saturday.
The Fighting Blues tallied 78 points to finish one place ahead of Tazewell (64.5) and a spot behind Holston (79.5). Rural Retreat won the tournament with 183 points while Lebanon (162) placed second and Galax (142) finished third. Rounding out the top five were Central (Wise) (140) and Chilhowie (86.5).
“We wrestled well at times, but we didn’t win the matches we should have,” said PM head coach Jeremiah Brockenbrough. “This tournament was a test for us, especially looking forward to regionals and states.” Five Blues earned medals by placing in the top four.
At 144-pounds, Jackson Brockenbrough pinned Carroll County’s Christyan Stillwell in the semifinals before losing in the finals to Lebanon’s Ian Rey in a 4-2 decision.
Other Blues earning medals were freshmen Clyde Vassar (third, 106-pounds) and Jacob Shafer (fourth, 126) and seniors Cody Thomas (third, 190) and Cole Chittum (fourth, 285/ heavyweight).
At 106, Vassar lost 8-4 to Marion’s Caden Hash in the quarterfinals, but he bounced back in the consolation rounds, pinning Central’s Keagan Slemp and beating Chilhowie’s Levi Perry 6-0. Vassar then pinned Central’s Evan Brinkley before defeating Tazewell’s Drake Young 6-2 in the third-place bout.
At 190, Thomas pinned Rural Retreat’s Grayson Irvine before losing to Galax’s David Espinoza, the eventual champion, 12-6 in the semifinals. In the consolation bracket, Thomas pinned Marion’s Ethan Whitt before beating Central’s Noah Burnham 3-1.
Shafer was pinned in the semifinals at 126 by Holston’s Merrick Kestern, but he pinned Marion’s Tyler Pierce in the consolation semifinals before he was pinned by Northwood’s Daniel Sybers in the third-place bout.
In the 285-pound/heavyweight division, Chittum was pinned in the semifinals by Brady Sturgill, the eventual champion, but pinned Holston’s Israel Parks in the consolation semifinals before he was pinned by Galax’s Riley Jo Vaught in the third-place bout.
Winning one match to score points for PM were senior Kabell Austin (215) and sophomore Junior Convers (175).
Grateful for the support shown for his team, Brockenbrough said, “Thanks to all the parents that made the long trip to watch and support us this weekend.”
Today, Wednesday, the Blues will play host to Pioneer District rival Bath County in a dual at 6 p.m. Before the dual, the Blues will honor their four seniors: Austin, Chittum, Thomas and Ryan Patterson. On Saturday, the Blues will travel to Salem for the Highlander Invitational, starting at 9 a.m.
