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Mustang wrestlers claim two of three
Smoky Mountain's wrestling team improved to 5-5 by winning two of three home matches on Nov. 23.
The Mustangs defeated Hayesville 57-24 and Cherokee 66-12 but lost to East Henderson 44-33.
"I continue to be impressed by our senior leadership and the constant improvement of our first-year wrestlers," Coach Tom Sargent said. "Seniors Nick Woodard, Richard Sitton and Brendan Ferguson have a combined record of 27-3 with Ferguson still undefeated."
Ferguson upped his mark to 10-0 with three pins in the most recent matches at 160 pounds.
Sitton had two pins and a forfeit as he improved to 9-1 at 171.
Woodard (8-2) recorded a pin and forfeit while losing a decision at 140.
In addition, to Ferguson and Sitton, three other Mustangs went 3-0. They were Cory Vickery (103) with a pin and two forfeits, George Neslen (152) with two pins and a decision and T.J. Bradley (215) with three pins.
Roscoe Woodard won his only match by a pin at 189.
Posting 2-1 marks were Mason Neff (112), Joey Cox (119), Jordan McDonald (135) and Billy Ayers (heavyweight).
Senior David Harper has recently joined the team after recovering from a broken hand sustained during football season. Sargent said Harper is providing leadership.
"We start eight first-year wrestlers, including five freshmen, and they are improving every practice," the coach said. "The most important aspect of this year's group is how they are becoming a team. I don't think anyone has missed a sit-up, push-up, up-down or any of our conditioning drills. Again, it's the senior leadership setting the example."
He said he no longer considers the first-year team members to be rookies as they have paid their dues and are now "simply wrestlers" making them part of what he called "the toughest team in high school sports."
The Mustangs were 2-3 in a tournament held Nov. 20 at West Lincoln. They defeated Hickory (49-36) and Chatham Central (51-30) while losing to West Lincoln (45-30), North Gaston (51-30) and Pisgah (45-36).
Leading the way was Ferguson, who was 5-0, including three pins. Ben Blakley and Jared Jones both won their only match.
Nick Woodard and Sitton each went 4-1 with three pins.
A tournament slated for Saturday at North Henderson was cancelled.
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