PHOTO BY KYM DAVIDSON-HAMLEY
The William Byrd wrestlers placed four and tied for 14th place in a strong field at the Big Blue Invitational at Christiansburg High School last weekend. Host Christiansburg was the team winner.
Two Terriers took fourth place, freshman Jerze Webb at 145 and sophomore Zach Figart at 195. Webb lost in the semifinals to Xander Whitehurst of Christiansburg, a three-time state finalist.
“Webb has grown up, as a wreslter, a lot this season and has to keep getting better if he wants to place in the state tournament, which is a goal he has,” said Byrd coach Thomas Kessler.
Figart upset the number one seed in a come from behind win. Down three points with 12 seconds left, Zach escaped and took his opponent down. Then in overtime he took him down again for the win.
Clay Pilgreen took a fifth at 120. He lost in the semifinals by one point and then lost again by one point in the consolation semis
“Clay wrestled the best he has all season,” said Kessler. “I’m really happy about the way he wrestled at the tournament despite getting fifth place.”
Derek Burton was sixth at 106. He wrestled all four of the top seeds in the tournament.
“The tournament offered a lot of great competition and showed us where we need to be for the post season,” said Kessler.
Eastern View, considered a favorite to win the state in Class 4, finished second in the Big Blue. Patrick Henry, Greenbriar East of West Virginia and Washington High rounded out the top five.
Byrd was scheduled to wrestle in the Blue Ridge District Duals at Northside on Wednesday. This weekend the Terriers will compete in a 10-team dual tournament at E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg featuring the Class 4, Region D teams.