Mat Cougars Prep for Region Tourney

Piedmont Academy’s varsity wrestling team may be small in numbers but it has enjoyed a large number of individual wins during the 2017-2018 season.

The Mat Cougars have been making final preparations this week for the region tournament set for Thursday (today) at the Westfield School in Perry. Coach Kaden Miller will look to qualify all five members of the team for the upcoming state meet.

Senior Noah Faubli (120) is undefeated this season and his coach believes he has a chance to ultimately win a state championship.

“Noah hasn’t had an opponent yet to take him to a full match,” Miller said. “He has really been impressive.”

Faubli is in his first season competing for the Mat Cougars and similar to how he did for Piedmont’s football team in the Fall, he has made an immediate impact on the program.

Fellow senior Tanner Coppock (182) is also enjoying a strong season and has compiled a winning record.

“Tanner has shown a great deal of improvement,” his coach said. “In the three months we have been working together he has really dedicated himself tobecome a better wrestler.”

Junior Logan Conner (195) only has two losses and his coach believes he has a good chance to win region and do well at state.

“Logan has had several matches go the distance and he has won them,” Miller said. “He has been involved in some of our most competitive matches.”

Sophomore Trent Coots (132) is enjoying his first winning season as a varsity wrestler. In Piedmont’s first tournament this year Coots finished second.

Sophomore Garrett Kirksey (heavyweight) is in his first season on the mat and has shown much improvement according to his coach.

“Garrett was green to start but he has learned very fast and placed third in our first tournament,” Miller said.