Hidden Valley Youth Wrestling completed another fine season on the mat.  Five youth wrestlers competed in the 2010 Franklin County Kahilia Moonshine Classic at Franklin County High School in Rocky Mount, VA to end the season on a high note.

Pee-Wee Division

Kiel Cook was awarded the Gold medal for his efforts in the 109 lb weight class. Kiel pinned opponents from Botetourt Wrestling Club and Franklin County.  Kiel last match of the season was against a worthy opponent from Arrichion composed of wrestlers from Greensboro, Charlotte, and Raleigh NC, Kiel wrestled a tactical match winning on points 6-2.

Nate Goad wrestled in the 86-92 lb weight class and defeated 2 Franklin County rivals and a Roanoke Gladiator wrestler by pin. Nate fine tuned his cradle to lore in the competition. Nate took home the Gold medal.

Sam Comer (1st year) took home the Silver medal in the 56 – 62 lb weight class division. Sam appeared to have to wrestle the entire Franklin County wrestling team.  Sam won his first match 10 -2 to Franklin County and then 9 -4 against another Franklin County wrestler. In his final match Sam wrestled a tough Franklin County opponent in a hard contested match until he made a mistake in the third period that caught him with a pin.

Landon Blackshear (1st year) 5 years old, wrestled in the 38 – 42 lb weight class. Landon lost 10-4 on points in the first match,  then rebounded on points in his next match 8-3 against a fellow teammate.  In the final match of the season, Landon came up short on points against a Roanoke Gladiator and   received the Bronze medal for his efforts.

Chris Comer (1st year) 5 years old,  wrestled in the 38 – 42 lb  weight class. He lost his
first match by pin to a Gladiator wrestler. He lost his second match 8 -3 to a Hidden Valley opponent. Chris lost his third match to a Roanoke Gladiator by technical fall. Chris came away with a 4th place finish to end his season.

Junior Division

Mason Dermott wrestled in the 114-121 lb. Junior Division.  He won bouts against two Grundy wrestlers by a 12-0 score and a 3rd period pin.  He also won his match against a Parkway Christian wrestler with a 3rd period pin.  He finished in 1st place and took home a gold medal.

2010 AAU Spring Youth Nationals Buck Van Huss Dome in Kingsport, TN

Will Hoff came in second in AAU Nationals tournament at the Buck Van Huss Dome in Kingsport, TN on March 26-27, 2010. Will lost the opening match to a Georgia opponent in the second period, but bounced back to win a decision against Tennessee grappler 12-7 and go on to capture a Silver Medal along with a certificate stating he was an AAU All American in the 50 pound TOT weight class.

I would like to thank all of the athletes who participated in the program for the past 5 months.  This was one of our youngest groups in the past 16 years, but with their hard work and dedication they did well this season. I would also like to thank the parents for their unselfish time they gave during practices and tournaments. Finally, I would also like to thank Coaches Ted Comer, Sean Baskette, Marc LaPlante and Greg Winston for their invaluable help with the program and developing these young men into worthy opponents.  I hope we have kept you entertained and wanting to read more of our areas youth wrestling adventures.  We will begin again in November for season 17.  Hope we will gain more interest with   potential new wrestler in this area. Jim King, Head Coach Hidden Valley Youth Wrestling.

Bottom Row (L-R): Alex Buzzo, Landon Blackshear, Chris Comer, Mitch Tingler, Jordan Duncan, 2nd row: Faris Iqbal, Colby Hale, Sam Comer, Josh Neighbors, Adam Gordan, 3rd row: Garrett Laplante, Zachary Early, Lee Pritchard, Nate Goad, Evan Smith, 4th row Josh Rush, Reeves McKinney, Ikie Smith, Liam Smith, Kiel Cook, Coaches Ted Comer, Jim King, Marc Laplante, Sean Baskette, not pictured Greg Winston, photo by Mark Early

Submitted by Jim King.