As soon as we arrived at Patrick Co. H.S. our guys checked their weight. It is common practice as various scales may not be exactly calibrated the same. Apparently our scale is about two pounds off. Devastating news for some, but the cadets raised their heads and held the attitude of moving forward in spite of the bad news. After adjusting the lineup we prepared to compete. The night was full of unexpected upsets and uncertain victories down to the last second.
Cadet Kines stepped up from JV to fill a hole, put all his heart into it and earned his first two Varsity wins, one of which a pin in the first period. Cadet Griffith pinned one opponent but got caught by the other and got pinned. It happens that way sometimes. Cadet Weber showed his game face and went up against some truly experienced beasts but didn’t allow them to score until the very end. Cadets Decker and Murray both pinned their sturdy opponents early in the first period. Cadets Mize and Spangler fought like true tigers in very low scoring matches but earned victories due to their better conditioning and desire to win. Of those that lost, we often took the match right to the very end. One of Luckett’s opponents looked like a polar bear, dwarfing him but Luckett used his head and technique won out.
Overall I couldn’t be more proud of my wrestling team, win or losing individual matches. One of the opposing coaches was impressed and mentioned that we had “a lot of heart. And you can’t coach that”. Give them an attaboy when you see them and wish them luck (and skill) for this Saturday’s tournament.
