Shirey not disappointed with fourth at states

by Tribune Review News Service

Posted on March 14, 2009

HERSHEY -- By his own account, Redbank Valley senior Logan Shirey wrestled well -- not only in the PIAA Class AA individual wrestling tournament at Giant Center, but throughout the season.

His best effort, though, eluded him in his 171-pound, third-place match against Lewisburg sophomore Nathaniel Brown on Saturday afternoon.

Shirey opted to take the down position to start the second period. While on the bottom, he tried to make a move for an escape or possible reversal, but Brown hooked Shirey with a controversial move.

"As soon as he hooked him up, I was yelling that it was a full nelson," Shirey's coach, Mike Kundick, said. "I don't know if he (the referee) didn't see it or what."

The full nelson is an illegal move that takes away a wrestler's ability to use either arm.

Following the move, Brown was able to pin Shirey at the 1:34 mark. Shirey, though disappointed, took it in stride.

"I felt I wrestled well, except for that last match," Shirey said. "The coaches thought it was a full nelson, but I'm not one to blame a loss on a call. It's a tough break, but that's part of the sport."

Shirey, the runner-up from the Northwest Region, concluded his season with a record of 33-7, including a 3-2 mark at the state tournament.

"Winning third would have been awesome, but I'm not that disappointed," Shirey said.

Shirey's future plans include wrestling.

In April, he intends to compete at the High School Nationals in Virginia. After graduation, he plans to wrestle at the collegiate level. He said he would choose between Clarion and Edinboro.

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