Mat Canes Gear Up for Region Tournament

In their latest action the Mat Canes competed in the Monroe Area Duals last Saturday, where they defeated Monroe, Baldwin and Hart Counties, and went on to lose to Oconee and Woodland.

The loss to Woodland was only by two points. Also undefeated team member Oscar Sandoval did not compete in the match.

In addition, Timmy Postlethwait sustained a shoulder injury.

Head Wrestling Coach Andy Rewis said, “We were missing some wrestlers due to the holidays, and we don’t know the extent of Timmy’s injury, and it will leave a big hole in our line-up if he has to be out for any length of time. With a season-to-date record of 37-5, we need him to be in the lineup.”

After warm-up matches versus Eastside and Miller Grove Wednesday, the ‘Canes head to Barnesville this Saturday, Jan. 7, for the Region 4-AA Duals Tournament.

Sandoval and Brandon Barger both remain undefeated and Patrick Clement has increased his record to 41-1.

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Also, Matthew Chupp, who has seen limited action due to an ear injury, has quietly gotten himself off to a good year with a 28-3 record.

Coach Rewis said, “We’re going to try to get everyone healthy and get ready for the region tournament. We are a little banged up but our lineup is beginning to form up, so if we can avoid any more injuries we’ll be able to concentrate on the region tournament.

“This is a time when we need our seniors to step up. If they want to make it to the state tournament four years in a row we need Brandon Barger, Matthew Chupp, Nick Martin, Timmy Postlethwait, Cody Reese, Tony Seawright Jonathan Williams and Shaquille Wright to all really bare down.”

The team is also scheduled to host Greene and Newton Counties at home next Wednesday, Jan. 11, with action getting under way at 5:30 p.m. in the high school gym at 14477 Hwy. 11 North.