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Kirby-Johnson Athletes of the Week

Kirby and Johnson Named Patriots Athletes of the Week

2/21/2022 8:25:00 AM

Williamsburg, KY – After capturing conference titles in their respective weight class, wrestlers Jesse Kirby and Aaron Johnson have been selected as the Pepsi Athletes of the Week, announced by the athletic department Monday.

Kirby was named the female athlete of the week after capturing the 191-weight class conference title.  The Culpeper, VA native went 3-0 on the day with a pair of falls and a decision en route to earn first team all-conference honors.  Kirby opened the tournament with an 8-4 decision over #18 Briana Staebler of Campbellsville to advance to the semifinals.  She followed that up against ninth-ranked Catherine Palmieri of Life and jumped out to a 4-0 lead before earning the fall at the 1:45 mark to advance.  In the championship match, Kirby faced sixth-ranked Liliana Vergara of Campbellsville.  The junior jumped out to a 4-3 advantage and recording the fall 28 seconds into the second period to capture her first conference title.

Johnson earned the male athlete of the week honors after a dominating performance in the 285-weight class, where he captured the conference title.  After earning an opening round bye, Johnson faced Chris Alvizures of Midway and took an early 2-0 lead with a takedown before recording the fall at 2:35 mark to advance.  In the semifinals, the senior matched up with 18th-ranked Gabe Craig of Campbellsville. Less than a minute into the match, Johnson utilized a two-point take down and turned it into a fall moments later to advance to the championship match.  Johnson than faced #13 Carlos Figueroa for the second-time in less than two weeks and just like their first match-up this was decided by one point.  The Kennesaw, GA native recorded a takedown in both of the first two periods for the 4-3 decision to earn first team all-conference accolades.

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