VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – From March 25 to 27, Virginia Beach hosted the 2022 NHSCA High School Nationals wrestling tournament. Fresh off a Tennessee state championship performance for which he was recognized as the Best Wrestler across all weights, Rossview senior Sammy Shires placed 7th in the nation and became only the third All-American senior male wrestler in the history of Clarksville.
In a 64-person bracket, Shires started strong on Friday. He reached the round of 16 with two early pins before being dealt a loss by Massachusetts state champion Mark Botello, 11-3.
Shires bounced back with a 3-1 performance on Saturday. Botello also lost a later match, so the two were set up for a Sunday rematch for 7th place.
Shires won this time, 4-0, making Botello the fourth state champion he defeated in this tournament. He had already vanquished champions from Vermont, Georgia, and Connecticut.
The 7th place finish earned Shires the distinction of being named an All-American wrestler, Rossview’s first. Rossview’s first. Previously, only two male Clarksville wrestlers had achieved this honor: Northwest’s Jeff Loyd in 1991 and Clarksville High’s Matt McClarty in 2000.
Shires plans to wrestle in college, but has not yet announced a decision as to where. Before this tournament, he already had interest from several programs, including UT Chattanooga and Cumberland University.
Correction: Shires is the third All-American senior male wrestler in Clarksville history. Northwest’s Jeff Loyd achieved the honor in 1991. The article has been updated.