AHS will not host wrestling tourney

As negotiations continue on paying for replacing the floor at Alleghany High School's new gymnasium, school officials have decided not to hold a regional wrestling tournament there next month.

"We're still in the process of scheduling the floor replacement," Schools Superintendent Duane Davis said during the Alleghany County Board of Education's Jan. 9 meeting.

The gym, which is part of AHS' new east wing, has not been used this school year because of floor damage caused by a water heater leak. The school had planned, with the approval of its insurance carrier, to hold a 28-school wrestling tournament there the weekend of Feb. 15-17, with mats covering the floor. School officials had hoped to have the floor removed and replaced beginning immediately after that.

Davis said the decision to forego the tournament was made partly to help expedite work on the floor. "We don't want the replacement of the gym floor to be slowed down in any way," he said. "This removes that as a distraction."

AHS officials also decided against holding a major tournament on a surface whose suitability was doubtful, Davis said.

On Tuesday AHS Principal Jeff Peal provided a copy of a letter from himself and Athletic Director Tom Smith to the Alleghany County Chamber of Commerce. In the letter, Peal and Smith stated, "Our seating capacity is a little too small to comfortably seat our fans, parents and wrestlers....We are also concerned about the lack of lodging and proximity of other hotels.

"Our school truly wanted to host this important tournament and wished to provide a ‘first class' event. Feeling that we would be unable to do that coupled with the fact that our reputation in the wrestling community may be tarnished, we must regretfully decline this opportunity....

"It is our understanding that the chamber has invested considerable time and effort in this project. Your information will still be used, just not for February. We are currently planning a tournament this spring and one in December also."

Meanwhile, in an interview late last week, Davis said, "We don't have a resolution as far as who's going to pay for the gym floor."

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