Fitzgerald packs punch for Cougars

FORT DEFIANCE – Stuarts Draft senior Savannah Fitzgerald’s wrestling career isn’t unique just because she’s competing in a male-dominated sport.

Fitzgerald has progressed to be a tough opponent to face on the mat.

Just ask Cougars’ fourth-year coach Chip Campbell, a former standout wrestler at Waynesboro, who entered the coaching ranks at Draft the same year Fitzgerald came out for the varsity team.

Don’t let Fitzgerald’s diminutive size mislead. She’s a big talent in a tiny frame.

“She’s talented and her technique has come a long way,” Campbell said after the News-Leader Tournament on Saturday at Fort Defiance High School.

In the 103-pound weight class, Fitzgerald took on all comers and picked up pins on every opponent to finish 5-0 for the day.

“She’s a very physical wrestler,” Campbell said. “Even though she’s dropped some weight, she’s much more muscular than even a year ago and she’s a better athlete.”

Last season, with more competition at the lowest weight class for the Cougars, Fitzgerald was forced to wrestle up a weight class, because All-State freshman Adam Davis wrestled at 103.

This season, the roles are reversed, with Fitzgerald wrestling at 103 and Davis settling in the 112-pound class.

Fitzgerald, Davis and sophomore Brett Talley at 119 pounds all were individual champions Saturday.

“We’re really strong at the lower weights,” Campbell said.

Fitzgerald was introduced to wrestling as an eighth-grader.

“It sounded like fun, so I decided to give it a try,” the soft-spoken Fitzgerald said.

Now, as one of only three seniors on the Cougars’ wrestling roster, Fitzgerald has taken on a leadership role.

“She is more of a leader by example,” Campbell said.

Saturday’s five wins put Fitzgerald’s record this season at 14-4.

“She should make a run for the district title,” Campbell said. “She lost a close decision to the Rockbridge wrestler, but it could have gone either way”

Fitzgerald has gained confidence as her wrestling technique has improved.

“I’m more experienced now,” she said.

Campbell feels that Fitzgerald could qualify for the Group AA state tournament.

Stuarts Draft finished fifth overall in Saturday’s competition, one-half point behind fourth-place Waynesboro.

The invitational included all of the local high schools except for Robert E. Lee.

Buffalo Gap won the team competition, with a total of 64.5 points, followed by Riverheads with 56.5, Fort Defiance with 55.5, Waynesboro (41), Stuarts Draft (40.5) and Wilson with 36.