Cleveland Wrestlers Rally To Beat Soddy Daisy

Blue Raiders Use Five Pins As Springboard For 39-30 Win

Tuesday, December 23, 2014
John Hunt

Several folks questioned the reasoning behind scheduling the Soddy Daisy-Cleveland wrestling match for two days before Christmas.

All the shopping is hopefully done, all of the presents are wrapped and it was a rainy Tuesday night, so why not gather at the Soddy Daisy Wrestling Arena for a dual meet featuring two teams that are traditionally in the thick of the running for state honors in mid-February.

Things turned out well for visiting Cleveland as the Blue Raiders improved to 9-3 with the 39-30 victory.

Soddy Daisy coach Jim Higgins was in Knoxville attending the funeral of his wife’s grandmother, so he wasn’t present, but Trojan assistants Brad Laxton and Ashley Brooks took charge.

Both teams are coming off a weekend of tough competition at the McCallie Invitational and both appeared somewhat sluggish and sloppy in their execution on the mat, but when the last match had ended, Cleveland prevailed and will go into a well-deserved five-day break on a positive note.

“We got a tough match tonight and I thought that both teams looked a little sluggish as we’re sore and beat up following the McCallie tournament, but a “W” is a “W” and I’ll take it,” said Cleveland coach Jake Yost once the match ended.

“We could have fought harder in spots and we gave up a lot more pins that I would have liked, but it’s always good to get a win against a tough team like Soddy Daisy. It’s hard to beat a good team when you get pinned as many times as did, but I’m happy for the most part with our performance,” he added.

The match started at 285 and Trey Simpson needed just 51 seconds to give Cleveland a 6-0 lead.

John Gaither finished the match with a first-period pin at 220 to clinch the win as the Blue Raiders won the last three matches – including two by pins – to turn a 30-24 deficit into the nine-point win.

Colton Landers, Aaron Oliver and Seth Garcia all added pins for Cleveland while teammates Cody Mathews, Ezra Taylor and Riley Stevison all posted wins by regular decision.

Soddy Daisy countered with three pins – all in the first period – from Landon Wheaton, Austin Houser and Tucker Russo while Jacob McClure and Austin Williamson both notched 7-4 regular decisions. Chase Payne was awarded a forfeit at 120, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Cleveland’s strong finish.

“We fought hard and I’m proud of our fight as we brought it tonight,” said Soddy Daisy assistant coach Brad Laxton after his Trojans had fallen to 13-4 overall.

“We still have time to get better, but Cleveland won the matches they had to win. There were a few spots where we thought we might get a surprise win, but those never materialized. We knew we were behind the eight ball going in, but we need matches like this.

“I’m proud of Landon Wheaton for getting that pin at 106,” Laxton added.

“I thought it was a good match as we came to wrestle and so did they,” said Brooks later.

“We have a young team with lots of kids with less experience than we’re used to, but we’re making strides and I’m overall pleased with our performance tonight,” Brooks nodded.

Both teams have several days off to catch their collective breath, but they will both be back in action on Saturday, January 3 in the annual Soddy Daisy Scuffle.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I just want to wish everyone in Chattanooga, Cleveland and surrounding areas a very Merry Christmas.

CLEVELAND 39, SODDY DAISY 30

(Match started at 285 Pounds)

106 – Landon Wheaton (SD) pinned Jayce Mullin, :34;

113 – Cody Mathews (Clev) dec. Justin Taylor, 9-2;

120 – Chase Payne (SD) won by forfeit;

126 – Colton Landers (Clev) pinned Jacob Thomas, 1:25;

132 – Jacob McClure (SD) dec. Tristian Blansit, 7-4;

138 – Austin Howser (SD) pinned Joseph Bowers, 1:46;

145 – Ezra Taylor (Clev) dec. Emory Holcomb, 9-3;

152 – Tucker Russo (SD) pinned Jack Hicks, 1:12;

160 – Aaron Oliver (Clev) pinned Conner Styles, 3:55;