Bristol Herald Courier | Tim Hayes | Photo Credit: Emily Ball
BRISTOL, Va. – The state tournament was postponed a week due to weather and changed venues from the Salem Civic Center to the Bearcat Den, but that didn’t put a damper on the determination of Honaker’s Hunter Dye.
He had dropped a 4-2 decision to Grayson County’s Bo Anders in the 106-pound finals in 2024.
“Every night since,” Dye said. “That’s all I’ve thought about was that match.”
Honaker coach Dylan Shortridge can vouch for how bad the sophomore wanted atonement.
“Real bad,” Shortridge said. “He was so close and I just told him, ‘This year, let’s go out there and get us one.’ ”
Dye’s opponent a year later in the 113-pound weight class?
Bo Anders again.
This time Dye prevailed by a score of 3-2.
“This year I definitely wanted it more,” Dye said. “I circled the mat more, I didn’t play his game. I stayed aggressive on my attacks and finally got one there at the end.”
The match-clinching take down occurred with 17 seconds left.