By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
Originally the Fluvanna County School Board decided to cancel the Fluco wrestling program for this school year due to coronavirus concerns. However, a group of student athletes, parents and program advocates grouped together and lobbied the School Board to reverse its position and allow wrestling to go forward. This lobbying effort was successful, and the School Board allowed the wrestling team to compete despite the possible threat of COVID-19.
Coach Michael Gore reports that senior Shawn Metcalf, a returning State qualifier, was almost at 100 career wins with the program in jeopardy. Gore also said that of the ten wrestlers who competed in the just completed season, eight qualified for the Regional tournament . Metcalf finished second at the Regional meet to qualify for the State event again. At the State meet, Metcalf lost his first match to the eventual State champion, but wrestled back in the lower bracket to take third place in the State meet.
Other good performances at the Regional meet were turned in by Aiden Valentine who was third at 145 pounds and by Sam Stoltz and Sean Oliva who were 4th at 138 pounds and 152 pounds, respectively. Gore said that in a normal year, all three of these wrestlers would normally have gone on to the State meet, but this year they were designated as alternates.
During the regular season, the Fluco wrestlers finished with a dual meet record of 5-6. Metcalf was undefeated in the regular season. Another senior, Jason Hamshar, lost only once in regular season matches. Coach Gore, the Fluco athletes and parents express their thanks to the School Board for allowing the season to proceed and they thank Fluco supporter Mike Arnold for standing up for the program.
