The Glenvar wrestling team broke a three year reign of region championships by James River when the Highlanders won the Region 2C title Saturday. Glenvar scored 223 points to finish 42 and a half points ahead of the second place Knights at Radford High School.
The week started with a “sub region” hosted by James River High on Tuesday of last week. This was the first year for the Sub-Region tournament, which was run as a dual format team tournament and the head-to-head results were used for seeding wrestlers in the Region 2C tournament. Glenvar won all four duals, beating Allegheny, 50-30, Appomattox, 54-24, Radford, 54-18, and host James River, 51-22. Glenvar earned seven number one seeds, two seconds and two thirds for Saturday’s regional.
“Heading into the Region tournament, it’s important for our wrestlers to put themselves in the best possible position to qualify for the State Tournament,” said Glenvar coach Jason Cline. “They did just that.”
With good seeds secured, the Highlanders felt confident going into the Region 2C tournament. However, they knew it was going to be a battle with James River, a well-coached team and defending champion.
“We knew it would be a tight race,” said Cline. “We always talk about every individual putting forth their best effort, and when that happens the team results take care of themselves. Saturday was a great example of that for the Highlanders.”
At the completion of the semi-final round Glenvar had eight wrestlers in the finals, all guaranteed a spot in the state with the top three advancing. At that point the Highlanders were leading in the team results, but there was still a lot of wrestling in the wrestle-backs and placement rounds to go.
In the finals, Glenvar didn’t disappoint. The Highlanders won five of their eight finals matches with region championships going to River Smith at 113, Jake Cline at 132, Trey Lawrence at 145, Ethan Flowers at 152 and Chase Miller at 170.
“The match of the night goes to River Smith, who faced one of the best 113 pound wrestlers in the state from Martinsville,” said coach Cline. “River was in control from the first whistle and won by pin early in the first period. It was great to see River wrestle to his potential and leave it all on the mat.”
Taking second were Alan Vu at 106, Mason Hylton at 120 and Ryan Kirby at 126. Glenvar also had two fourth place finishers who will be alternates in case one of the top three can’t make it, Wesley Heltzel at 182 and Tony Miranda’Angeles at 195.
Next is the Class 2 state tournament at the Salem Civic Center on February 18 and 19. Last year fans weren’t allowed to attend due to COVID but this year the gates are open and tickets are available to be purchased on-line beginning next Monday, February 14.
“It’s been a great season so far and we want to cap it off with a solid performance at state,” said Cline. “These kids have worked so hard all year, I really want to see them up on the podium in Salem in a couple of weeks.”