The Lord Botetourt wrestlers took seventh place among 16 teams competing in the Class 3 state wrestling tournament at the Salem Civic Center last weekend.
New Kent High dominated the field with 273 points and five state champions. Skyline High was second with 173 points and Staunton River, of the Blue Ridge District, took third with 158.
Lord Botetourt scored 66 points to finish one point better than eighth place William Byrd, another BRD rival. Byrd’s best place was Colin Sell at 132 pounds. He reached the semifinals before losing, then wrestled back through the consolation bracket to take third, defeating Peyton Hatcher of Staunton River in the consolation final, 11-7.
Conner Shiflett took a fourth place at 182. He also reached the semifinals before losing, then wrestled back to make the consolation final and placed fourth.
That marked the end of another solid season for the Cavaliers.
“As a team, we accomplished a lot this season,” said Burton. “Titan Toughman champs, Big Orange champs, second place in the Region, that speaks to the depth of our lineup, and we didn’t have all of our kids in at all times.”
