SHS wrestling succeeds
Published 5:52 pm Tuesday, February 23, 2021
- Members of the Smithfield High Packers wrestling team recently competed at the state tournament. Fresh off of its first Regional wrestling title, Smithfield’s wrestling team earned a Top 5 team finish in this season’s 4A State Wrestling Championships held at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. (submitted photo)
The Packers wrestling team recently achieved a first.
Smithfield’s wrestling team recently won a regional championship title for the first time in program history. The team had pursued a regional title for nearly 25 years but came up short as the runner up in the 2015, 2016 and 2020 seasons.
“Our wrestling team has also overcome many obstacles throughout the season to finish a strong fifth place in Class 4, including having seven VHSL All-State medalists,” said Matthew Moore, Smithfield’s athletic director.
Smithfield wrestling brought home a Top 5 team finish in this season’s 4A State Wrestling Championships held at the Virginia Beach Sports Center on Feb 20.
The team qualified five wrestlers to the consolation finals. Evan Chrisstofer (106) won by a 3-0 decision over Waylon Rogers (Orange County). Nik Voros (120) 3-1 won by third period fall over Devin Burrows (Spotsylvania). Hunter Ray (126) lost a 6-12 decision to Gabe Nesmith (King George). Cameron Hatchett (145) 3-1 won by third period injury default over Kyman Kinney (Salem). Brady Stalls (160) lost by a second period fall to Eric Dewald (Fauquier).
In the fifth and sixth place medal round, Roberto Hines (132) lost by a 0-5 decision to Tharun Svetanant (Blacksburg) and Khali Harden (152) lost by a first period fall to Kylee Martin (Amherst County).
The wrestling team is under the leadership of second year head coach Tony Leonard and volunteer coach John Swartz.
Smithfield High Principal Bryan Thrift said the school overall had “a very successful winter season.” He also noted that 10 student athletes were able to cheer from the sidelines for home events.
“Our track program looks to finish the season strong at the VHSL Indoor State Track Championship over the weekend at Liberty University, where 15 SHS student-athletes will compete for a state title,” Moore said. “The town has thoroughly supported our student-athletes throughout this pandemic, and we can’t express enough of how appreciative we are to the Smithfield community.”
Top 5 Wrestling Team Scores:
- Liberty (Bealeton) — 113.0
- Eastern View — 92.0
- Loudoun County — 90.0
- Amherst County — 81.0
- Smithfield — 80.0
Packer Wrestlers Who Competed at 4A States
106 – Evan Chrisstofer (11), 3rd Place
120 – Nik Voros (11), 3rd Place
126 – Hunter Ray (10), 4th Place
132 – Roberto Hines (10), 6th Place
138 – Ben Ray (10), Did Not Place
145 – Cameron Hatchett (12), 3rd Place
152 – Khali Harden (12), 6th Place
160 – Brady Stalls (12), 4th Place
170 – Riley Fesser (9), Did Not Place
182 – Austin Ray (9), Did Not Place
195 – James Sessoms (10), Did Not Place
220 – Joe Sessoms (12), Did Not Place
285 – Justin Goodin (10), Did Not Place
