The Mathews High School wrestling team placed third overall in last weekend’s VHSL Class 1, Region A/B Tournament at Riverheads High School.
Mathews completed the two-day tournament with 154.5 points, trailing the host Gladiators, who won the competition with 279.5 points and second-place finisher Lancaster with 169.5 points. Franklin (142 points), Middlesex (134), Cumberland (96), Rappahannock County (91), Northumberland (50.5), Northampton (49.5), Essex (26) and Washington and Lee (12 points) rounded out the team scoring.
All 10 Blue Devil wrestlers taking part in the competition contributed to the final team score. Three Mathews wrestlers won their respective weight class—brothers Tyler and Tanner Schaller (138 lbs. and 160 lbs., respectively) and Quinton Dixon (182 lbs.).
Two other Mathews wrestlers—Aaron Miles (132 lbs.) and Isaiah Bivins (152 lbs.)—came in second in their weight class, while Josh Rosadino (113 lbs.) and Carson Gaimari (126 lbs.) finished in third place. Rounding out the field for Mathews were Brady Wright (170 lbs., fourth place), Cody Deagle (145 lbs., sixth place) and Connor Beattie (120 lbs., seventh place).
After a first-round bye, Tyler Schaller pinned Owen Wynberry of Middlesex and Colby Cash of Riverheads, posting a 13-4 decision over Alazar Shaffer of Northumberland to take the crown.
Tanner Schaller pinned Jordan Milton of Lancaster and won a tech fall victory of Kaelin Kwiesinski of Riverheads to take the crown at 160 lbs.
Dixon went 3-0 for the tournament, pinning Jake Price of Cumberland and winning a decision against Brayden Deel of Middlesex with a 5-2 decision over Trevor Roberts of Riverheads for the title.
Bivins, who posted his 100th career win back on Feb. 5, scored a pin over Jamal Barger of Franklin, losing the championship bout to James Dayton of Cumberland in a 6-0 decision. Miles scored a pin over Lancaster’s Markell Scott to advance to the championship bout, losing an 8-2 decision to Cody Cash of Riverheads.
Rosadino won his consolation finals against David Zeiler of Lancaster by a 3-1 decision. Gaimari pinned Devin Deshields of Franklin in 2:38 to take third place.
Wright posted wins over Brendan Walker of Lancaster and Thomas Keane of Rappahannock County.
Mathews wrestlers will compete on Friday and Saturday in the VHSL 1A-2A State Championships at the Salem Civic Center.