The Big Orange put four wrestlers in the championship round in last week’s Knights of the Round Table tournament at Cave Spring High School. Byrd finished third as a team among 14 schools entered in the annual event.

Host Cave Spring won the tournament, followed by Alleghany. Byrd was next with six boys placing, including a champion at 220 in Zach Figart. He improved to 10-2 overall when he defeated Jacob Elliott of Roanoke Catholic in the championship match.

Three other Terriers took seconds, Derek Burton at 106, Clay Pilgreen at 120 and Jerze Webb at 145. Josh Moore took a fourth at 170 and Zach Barnette was sixth at 182.

“I thought we did real well,” said Byrd coach Thomas Kessler. “It was nice to have four in the finals.”

Byrd is now off until December 29 & 30 when the Terriers host the annual Big Orange Classic tournament. It’s traditionally the top local tournament of the season, and this year it’s been moved from January to the last weekend of Christmas break.

“I think it’s a better fit for the school,” said Kessler. “We don’t have to worry about working around classes since school isn’t in session, and I feel like we can attract more teams at this time.”

In past years the Big Orange has been a magnet for bad weather, and that was also a factor.

“It’s snowed the past two years and maybe we can avoid that,” said Kessler. “I sure hope so.”