Walker valley celebrated its wrestling seniors in a big way Tuesday night inside “The Stable” not only with pins by the two departing Mustangs, but also with their second district wrestling championship.
Senior Mustangs David Cantrell and Joshua Van Wyk added to the celebration with opening pins in the 52-30 Walker Valley victory over Rhea County.
The Mustangs have little time to celebrate, however, as a much bigger task awaits Thursday, in Athens, when they face No. 2-ranked Bradley Central in the Region 4 tournament at McMinn County High School.
“They came out and battled a tough Rhea County team,” said Mustangs head coach Al Morris. “We had some forfeits in our lineup today and they had a couple as well and we came out and wrestled the match we needed to wrestle. We had a bunch of pins today.”
The pins by Cantrell (160 pounds) and Van Wyk (170) were just the first of a string of five six point wins by the Mustangs. Braden Taylor (182) and Troy Dyskiewicz (195) both wrestled to pins while Maddisen Santos picked up an easy six on a Rhea County forfeit at 220. Jeremiah Townsend did the job at 285 for the Mustangs putting Walker Valley out front 36-0 with the fifth Walker Valley pin.
The Mustangs gave up 24 points at the next four wight classes with forfeits, but picked back up a 138 with a pin by Christian Wilson. Logan Bolt finished out the night for the Mustangs with a major decision at 152.
The lone Golden Eagles pin came from Kaden Knox at 145.
“Both of our seniors came out with wins today and that's a good way to do it,” said a pleased Morris. “Now we get the honor of facing Bradley.”
Walker Valley 52, Rhea County 30
(Match started at 160)
106 — Elijah Offriga (WV) win by forfeit; 113 — Addison Rollins (RC) win by forfeit; 120 — Caleb Hickman (RC) win by forfeit; 126: Allen Graham (RC) win by forfeit; 132 — James Robinson (RC) pinned John Moats (WV), 1:13; 138 — Christian Wilson (WV) pinned Phillip Hicks (RC), 1:26; 145 — Kaden Knox (RC) pinned Asher Easley (WV), 0:49; 152 — Logan Bolt (WV) major dec. Justin Rosa (RC), 21-10; 160 — David Cantrell (WV) pinned Daniel Ooten (RC), 1:15;
170 — Joshua Van Wyk (WV) pinned Thomas Ainsworth (RC), 2:39; 182 — Brayden Taylor (WV) pinned Dylan Wesolowski (RC), 1:46; 195 — Troy Dyskiewicz (WV) pinned Martin Campos (RC), 4:54; 220 — Maddisen Santos (WV) win by forfeit; 285 — Jeremiah Townsend (WV) pinned Curtis Phillips (RC), 1:34).
(Email Richard Roberts at richardvols55@yahoo.com)