Mat ’Cats make strides against powerhouse foes
As Oak Ridge High School’s wrestling team navigates its inaugural season, it continues to experience the highs and lows that all first-year programs face.
The Wildcats returned to the mats Friday night at Powell High School’s Jeff Hunter Gymnasium and competed in three dual meets.
Despite the team dropping two matches, Coach Bam Thomas said he saw plenty to be encouraged about — especially after Oak Ridge took state powerhouse Pigeon Forge to the wire before losing via tiebreaker.
Oak Ridge also fell to host Powell, but capped the night with a dominant victory over Union County.
“That night was a big step forward for us, and that’s what I told the guys after the meet,” Thomas said. “We’re going to look back and see this night as a big building block for Oak Ridge wrestling.”
The Wildcats tied Pigeon Forge 42-42, but the Tigers were awarded the victory based on the fewest forfeits.
Still, Thomas couldn’t hide his pride.
“The first time we wrestled Pigeon Forge, we only won one match and lost 78-6,” he said. “So when I looked up at the scoreboard and saw 42-42, I was very proud.”
Against the Tigers, Nick Engelhardt (106 pounds) opened with a forfeit win.
Sebastian Acevedo (126), Robert Rankin (138), Adam Engelhardt (150), Gary Carlisle (165), Darwin Almendavez (175) and Jose Marin Shipp (215) each won by fall.
In a 46-30 loss to Powell, the Wildcats picked up three pins from Easton Greenlee (132), Adam Engelhardt and Gabe Naudin (190). Almendavez and Marin Shipp added forfeit wins.
Oak Ridge closed the night with a 66-6 rout of Union County.
The Wildcats dominated via forfeits with wins by Nick Engelhardt, Acevedo, Rankin, Nathan Robinson (144), Adam Engelhardt, Oliver Tinker (157), Carlisle, Almendavez, Naudin and Marin Shipp.
Greenlee secured the lone pin in the match.
