Cougars Prepare for Wrestling Season

The Piedmont Academy wrestling team has been busy preparing for the upcoming season under the direction of veteran coach Darryl Young.

The Mat Cougars are scheduled to open the season Wednesday against Valwood and Monroe Academy in a tri-match held at Windsor Academy in Macon beginning at 5:30 p.m.

“We have a good mix of returning wrestlers and newcomers,” Young said. “I am optimistic about the season.”
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One aspect of the 2005-06 season which Young likes is a new state tournament for Class A/AA schools. The Piedmont coach said this new tournament will give his team a chance to compete on a more level field.

“Many of the Class A and Class AA schools don’t have complete teams,” the coach said. “This should be a tournament that we can do well at.”
The Class A/AA event will take place January 21 at Bulloch Academy in Statesboro.

The Mat Cougars will still have the chance to compete at the all-classification state tournament February 4 at the Perry Fairgrounds.
Following the season opener next Wednesday, Piedmont will not wrestle again until a January 4 home meet against Mt. de Sales and Tattnall Square.

Young said he was still working on his final roster for the upcoming season. The roster will likely be complete after practice this week, the coach said. There are some championship prospects, however, Young said.

“We could have as many as five wrestlers place at state,” he said. “Those five can compete with anyone.”