Wrestlers Have Strong Outing

It was a strong outing for several Piedmont Academy wrestlers last week when they faced Tattnall Square and Mt. de Sales.

B.J. Benjamin, wrestling at 112 pounds, earned pins against his opponents from Tattnall and Mt. De Sales as did teammates Chris Brunton (135) and Blake McMichael (140).

Ryan Young (119) earned a pin against Tattnall Square while losing by pin to Mt. De Sales. When Young was pinned by his Mt. De Sales opponent, he had built a 5-0 lead at the time and seemed in control of the match.

Joey Schroeder (152) won by forfeit against Tattnall Square while Charley Needham (160) pinned his TSA opponent.

Hugo Huerta (171) earned his first pin of the season against Mt. De Sales.
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“Joey and Hugo are our new varsity wrestlers this year and both are continuing to learn and improve,” said Piedmont wrestling coach Darrell Young.

The Mat Cougar coach also said his veteran wrestlers continue to improve.

“They are doing well and I would stack them against any competition in the state,” the coach said.

While Piedmont had strong showings in the matches which were wrestled against Tattnall and Mt. De Sales, the Mat Cougars are at a major disadvantage team-wise each time out since they give up 42 forfeit points.

“Since we have so many forfeits to begin with, I don’t worry about our record in dual matches,” Coach Young said. “If we had a complete roster I believe we could compete with anyone.”

Piedmont was set to travel to Columbus last Friday, but a mix-up in the schedule made Coach Young decide not to make the long trip.

The Mat Cougars are set to return to action today against George Walton Academy, First Presbyterian and Riverside in Monroe. Piedmont will wrestle at home again Saturday beginning at 10:30 a.m. against George Walton, Mill Springs and Monroe Academy.

Young oversees the entire Piedmont wrestlers program which has competitors as young as the second grade. Last week second graders Ben Davis and Dalton Sanders, fourth grader Montana Sanders and sixth graders Zach Benjamin, Madison Slaughter, Drew Odegard and Charles Sanders each competed in exhibition matches.

Charles Sanders pinned his opponent from Tattnall Square.

“You build your program by getting the younger kids involved,” Coach Young said.