Mat Cougars Off To Great Start

Piedmont Academy’s wrestling team has started the 2014-2015 season in strong fashion, coach Alvin Hawkes said.

The Mat Cougars hosted Brandon Hall and Windsor on December 9 with several team members earning wins. Ben Davis went 2-0 on the day while Ian Boyd and Payden Cantera both finishing 1-0. Tanner Coppock was 1-1.

Piedmont then wrestled last Friday at the Odoban Middle School Tournament in Perry where Logan Conner and Trent Coots placed third.

“This was a large tournament with more than 130 participants,” Hawkes said.

The varsity Mat Cougars then took part in the event Saturday. A total of 21 teams took part in the event, making it the largest tournament Piedmont has competed in.

Nolan Cleary was second overall going 1-1 at heavyweight. Davis finished 3-1 to finish third at the event while Cantera also took third with a 3-1 mark. Corbin Burrell was sixth overall after a 2-2 showing and Boyd was fourth with a 2-2 record.

“All of our wrestlers represented Piedmont well during our first two events,” Hawkes said. “It was a great way to start the season. We are going to continue to work on improving to be ready for our next matches after the first of the year.”