Hidden Valley Youth Wrestlers and a roster of new wrestlers began a new season last Saturday by participating in the Jefferson Forest Wrestling Tournament in Bedford. The tournament was open to Youth / Elementary ages 5 years old thru 5th grade and a Middle School Division for the 6 thru 8th graders. The Hidden Valley Youth wrestlers went to their first tournament to see how they would compete in regional competition.
Elementary School Division
Ben Achino (First year wrestler) went through this contest like a seasoned grappler. Ben surmounted a great deal of pressure from his opponents and pinned them all to receive the Gold medal.
Chris Comer wrestled in the 37 – 41 lb. youth division and earned a gold medal with 1st period pins over all four of his opponents. His victories were over two Brookville, a Liberty Christian Academy, and Smith Mountain Lake grapplers.
CJ Poulsen competed in the 80 lb weight class division and impressed many as a first year wrestler. CJ won the gold medal by pinning all of his opponents.
Seth Poulsen (First year wrestler and CJ’s younger brother) competed in the 40-44lbs weight class division and won the silver medal. Seth’s first match was a lost to a Jefferson Forest opponent. Seth then went on to win his 2nd match 9-0 and pin his final opponent to take home the silver medal.
Jerze Webb (First year wrestler) suffered an early match loss, but recovered to pin his next two opponents to finish strong with a Silver medal for his efforts.
Landen Blackshear rebounded after a first round loss to defeat a Brookneal opponent 14-8, and pinned a Franklin County rival to take home the Silver medal.
Nick Brabham (First year wrestler) competed in the 72-75 lb. weight class division. Nick battled through the day and came home with a Bronze medal.
Gabe Hobbs (First year wrestler) wrestled in the 60-63 lbs weight class division. Gabe lost on points in his first match but rebounded to pin his opponent in the second match. Gabe lost his final round and finished with a Bronze medal.
Middle School Division
Sam Comer wrestled in the 62 – 69 lb. Junior division and secured a gold medal. He pinned a wrestler from Halifax in the 1st period. In the second match, he notched a second period pin.
Ikie Smith wrestled in the 95- 99 lb. Junior division and grabbed a gold medal. He won 6 – 3 over a Forest wrestler in his first match. He captured two 1st period pins over a Halifax and another Forest grappler in his last two matches.
Jacob Hurley (First year wrestler) took home the bronze medal in his first tournament action.
