Oak Ridge wrestlers earn medals in debut
Competing in their first individual tournament of the season, Oak Ridge High School’s wrestling teams had eight athletes reach the podium at the Bearden Kickoff Clash.
The event, held Saturday, Nov. 22, in West Knoxville, featured many of the area’s top wrestling programs.
“This was big for our program,” Wildcats Coach Bam Thomas said. “We had eight wrestlers place at a big tournament like this. We saw some good wrestlers and some good wrestling.”
Seven Oak Ridge boys earned medals, and Brooke Johnson (152-165 pounds) represented the Lady Wildcats with a medal in the girls division.
Boys medalists included Cole Callaghan (106 pounds), Nick Englehardt (113), Jett Craig (120), Easton Greenlee (132), Gary Carlisle (175), Rances Almendavez (190) and Joey Marinshipp.
“I don’t have where they placed, but I know they all did well in their first tournament, and I’m extremely proud of them,” Thomas said.
Just before Thanksgiving break, Oak Ridge competed in the Maryville Duals on Wednesday, Nov. 26, where it dropped matches to Jefferson County, host Maryville and Sevier County.
“We saw some good wrestlers in Maryville and we saw some good teams, but I think we did as well as could’ve been expected,” Thomas said.