Salem finished second and a limited Glenvar team took 10th in the annual Big Orange Classic wrestling tournament at William Byrd High School last weekend. Independence High was the team winner among 26 schools entered.
Salem scored 193 points and had three champions, finishing just seven points behind Independence. Glenvar had two champions and 110.5 points.
Winning Big Orange championships for the Spartans were Derek Bush at 120, Jay Preston at 215 and James James at 285. James’ teammate Robert Herndon was second at 285, while Anthony Baudanza was runnerup at 132. Other Spartans to score included Kolynn Eastmas with a fourth at 126, Tolin Saul with a fourth at 165, and Giuseppe Baudanza with a fifth at 138.
“Big weekend in Vinton,” said Salem coach Lawrence Van Liew. “We had several guys out ill but battled all weekend.”
Glenvar had just eight wrestlers competing but still managed to finish in the top 10 thanks some strong performances. Jack Yetzer and Levi Wright took Big Orange championships at 106 and 144 while John Vishneski was third at 165 and Nick Yetzer was fourth at 113.
This weekend both Salem and Glenvar are scheduled to wrestle in the Big Blue in Christiansburg.
