Flying High

The match against Winters Mill was on Cole Sweitzer's shoulders and he delivered!

The Southern Rams are flying high, beating the Winters Mill Falcons and the Urbana Hawks in back to back matches on Saturday afternoon and Monday evening last week.  Add in a 60-12 win against Perryville and the Rams had a 30-3 record heading into the final dual meet of the season.  The Mountain Ridge Miners came to town on Thursday evening with the winner earning the distinction of hosting the 1A West Regional Dual meet tournament.

The contest against Winters Mill was a re-match from an early season tournament meeting.  The Falcons came out on top back in December, but that Rams had their sights set on winning the January contest.  The match started at 106 and Winters Mill took an early 6-0 lead.  Southern dropped each of the next three bouts and suddenly, the Rams were down 22-0.  Three pins and a decision later and Southern was back in it, trailing by a single point.

The Falcons scored two more pins at 160 and 170 and took a 34-21 lead with only four bouts remaining.  The Rams came storming back again with big wins by Joe Embleton, Kris Tusing and Hunter Park.  The score was 36-33 in favor of the Southern Rams with only the heavyweight bout remaining.  Our big Cole Sweitzer took advantage of his size difference and quickly threw his opponent to his back and scored the decisive pin.  The final score was Southern 42 - Winters Mill 33.

Southern 42 - Winters Mill 33

106: Garrett Dell (WM) win by FFT
113: Hunter Merson (WM) major-decision Brogan Kealy (SG) 13-4
120: Logan Konold (WM) fall Joey McComas (SG) 1:29
126: Zach Kirby (WM) fall Evan Paugh (SG) 3:03
132: Jake E. Sweitzer (SG) decision Colby Unkart (WM) 6-3
138: Nate Tasker (SG) fall Isaac Ousley (WM) 1:28
145: Jake W. Sweitzer (SG) fall Justin Toney (WM) 2:26
152: Jace Guy (SG) fall Josh Burndley (WM) 5:09
160: Troy Blessing (WM) fall Declan McCann (SG) :27
170: Trevor Fawley (WM) fall Alec Horner (SG) 1:35
182: Joey Embleton (SG) win by FFT
195: Kris Tusing (SG) fall Noah Ocasio (WM) 1:59
220: Hunter Park (SG) decision Alex Miller (WM) 8-3
285: Cole Sweitzer (SG) fall Blake Billings (WM) :50

In the match against Perryville, the Rams won 11 of 14 bouts, cruising to a 60-12 victory.  Winning by pin for the Rams against Perryville were Brogan Kealy, Jace Guy and Hunter Park.

Hunter Park with a pin vs Perryville

Southern 60 - Perryville 12

106 - Josh Barnett (P) via forfeit

113 - Brogan Kealy (SG) pinned Nickolas Weatherington (P) 4:44

120 - Jeff Leonard (P) dec Joey McComas (SG) 7-2

126 - Jake E. Sweitzer (SG) via forfeit

132 - Nate Tasker (SG) via forfeit

138 - Jake W. Sweitzer (SG) dec Hunter Zacerous (P) 4-3

145 - Jace Guy (SG) pinned Adam Campbell (P) :52

152 - Jarrett Hunter (P) dec Brad Davis (SG) 8-5

160 - Alec Horner (SG) via forfeit

170 - Joe Embleton (SG) via forfeit

182 - Kris Tusing (SG) via forfeit

195 - Nathan Sweitzer (SG) via forfeit

220 - Hunter Park (SG) pinned Leslie Patterson (P) 3:08

285 - Cole Sweitzer (SG) dec Steven Thomas (P) 4-2

On Monday, Southern took another long bus ride, this time to Urbana High School to take on the Hawks.  Last season, the Rams won the match in a close battle and this season's event was set up to be the same.  The match started at 138 and Urbana took an early 3-0 lead by winning a decision in the first bout of the evening.  Jake W. Sweitzer and Jace Guy each score pins in the next two bouts to put the Rams on top 12-3 but the Hawks scored pins of their own at 160 and 170 to retake the lead 15-12.

At 182, senior Joe Embleton scored a dominating 8-0 major decision against a state ranked wrestler to put Southern back in front.  That lead would last only 17 seconds as another of Urbana's state ranked wrestlers won by fall to bring the score to 22-21 in the Hawks favor.  At 220, junior Hunter Park took control of the match in the second period, turned his opponent and scored the pin half way through the bout.  Urbana forfeited at 285 and Southern enjoyed a 28-21 lead heading into the final five bouts.

Jace Guy pins again!

Urbana won by decision at 106, Southern won by decision at 113 and Urbana won by decision at 120 in three tightly contested bouts.  The team score stood at 31-27 with two bouts remaining.  Southern would be forfeiting 132, so the match came down to the bout at 126.  Southern's senior co-captain and winner of over 120 career matches took the mat for the Rams, looking to clinch it for his team.  The Urbana wrestler took and early 2-0 lead and then made it a 5-0 lead in the second period.  Suddenly, Sweitzer came out from the bottom, scored a reversal and threw in a half.  He would not be denied and drove that half nelson with all his might until the Urbana wrestler was on his back and all the Southern fans waited for the pin.  At the 3;12 mark of the match, the referee slapped the mat and the Rams came out on top of another epic battle against the Urbana Hawks.

Southern 37 - Urbana 33

138 - Ryan Gilligan (U) dec. Nate Tasker (SG) ; 4-1
145 - Jake W. Sweitzer (SG) pinned Jakob Arneson (U), 3:48
152 - Jace Guy (SG) pinned Parker Liposky (U), 1:33
160 - Shane Acton (U) pinned Alec Horner (SG), 2:53
170 - Jake Nielson (U) pinned Blade Sharpless (SG), 1:51
182 - Joe Embleton (SG) maj. dec. Mason Newton (U) ; 8-0
195 - Kevin Makosy (U) pinned Nathan Sweitzer (SG), 0:17
220 - Hunter Park (SG) pinned Anthony Schifano (U), 3:40
285 - Cole Sweitzer (SG) won by forfeit (U)
106 - Anya Knappenberger (U) dec. Colum McCann (SG) ; 8-4
113 - Brogan Kealy (SG) dec. Collin Acton (U) ; 8-4
120 - Austin Rohn (U) dec. Joey McComas (SG) ; 5-2
126 - Jake E. Sweitzer (SG) pinned Jon Song (U), 3:13
132 - Cody Swigart (U) won by forfeit (SG)

Senior Celebration

Our Amazing Seniors and their families

Our 9 seniors were honored on Thursday evening before our match with Mt. Ridge.  Here are the write-ups for each amazing senior.

Joe Embleton is the son of Joe and Lita Embleton of Oakland.  Joe has been a 4 year starter on the wrestling team and has earned 115 career wins.  His record this season is 32-1 and placed 5th a the state wrestling tournament last season.  Joe was also a 4 year member of the football team, a 4 year member of the tennis team and placed second in the state as a member of the Southern Garrett Bass Slayers fishing team.  After graduation, Joe plans to attend college and continue his wrestling career and pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.

Joe Embleton and with his mother & sister

Alec Horner is the son of Donnie and Tracey Horner of Oakland.  Alec is a 4 year member of the wrestling team and has earned 73 career wins.  He was also a regional and state qualifier last season.  Alec has also been on the football, track, tennis and cross-country teams while at Southern.  After graduation, Alec plans to attend Garrett College and then transfer to a 4 years school to pursue a career in Marine Biology.

Alec Horner and his mom and dad

Jake E. Sweitzer is the son of Gary Sweitzer and Wendy Miller.  Jacob is a 4 year starter on the wrestling team and has earned 125 career wins.  His record this season is 31-2.  Jacob was also a 4 year member of the football team.  After graduation, Jacob will continue his career as a member of the very first Garrett College Laker wrestling team.  While at Garrett College, Jacob will study Wildlife and Fisheries to obtain a career with the Department of Natural Resources.

Jacob E Sweitzer with his mother and father

Bradley Davis is the son of Matthew and Sherry Davis of Oakland.  This is Brad's 3rd year on the wrestling team and has earned 13 varsity wins  He is also a 4 year member of the football team.  After graduation, Brad plans to attend Frostburg State University to study Criminal Justice and pursue a career with the Department of Natural Resources.

Bradley Davis with mom and dad

Kris Tusing is the son of Jack and Tammy Tusing of Oakland.  This is Kris's first year on the wrestling team and has won 14 varsity matches.  He is also a 4 year member of the bowling team and 3 year member of the football and baseball teams.  After graduation, Kris plans to go to college with an undecided major at this time.

Kris Tusing escorted by his mother

Quinn Iden is the son of Greg and Julie Iden of Oakland.  This is Quinn's first year on the wrestling team.  Quinn was also a 4 year member of the soccer team and a 4 year member of the track team.  After graduation, Quinn will attend Frostburg State University to study Wildlife and Fisheries.

Quinn Iden and family

Scotty Tichnell is the son of Jeannie and Rusty Tichnell of Kitzmiller.  This is Scotty's third year as a member of the wrestling team, has earned 34 career wins and was a regional qualifier last season.  Scotty was also a 4 year member of the football team.  After graduation, Scotty plans to attend Garrett College and study in the Outdoor Adventure Sports program.

Scotty Tichnell with his mother

Eli Ward is the son of Chuck and Shelby Ward of Oakland.  This is Eli's first year on the wrestling team.  Eli was also a 4 year member of the football team.  After graduation, Eli plans to attend Garrett College and pursue a career with the Department of Natural Resources.

Eli Ward and family

Mikey Greene is the son of Joanne Roberts and Mike Greene of Swanton.  This is Mikey's third year on the wrestling team.  Mikey was also a 4 year member of the soccer and cross-country teams and a 2 year member of the track team.  Mikey is also a member of the National Honor Society and a proud member of the SAT 1200 club.  After graduation, Mikey plans to attend Frostburg State University to pursue a career in Cyber Security.

Mikey Greene with his mom and dad

Senior Night Showdown

Junior Nate Tasker earned career win #100

On Thursday evening, the 11-2 Mountain Ridge Miners visited the 12-1 Southern Rams for the final regular season dual meet.  The winning team would earn the #1 seed in the 1A West Dual Meet Championships and would earn the right to be the host for the Regional Duals on Wednesday evening, February 7th.  The gym was packed with excited fans looking to witness a great wrestling match and they were not disappointed.

Our amazing seniors and their parents honored prior to the big match

After our annual Senior Night festivities and the presentation of plaques for our 100 career winners, the match was set to begin.  Wrestling started in the 138 pound weight class and featured two state ranked wrestlers.  Camren Ritchey from Mt Ridge is currently ranked 6th in the state and he was in search of his 100th career win.  He faced off against sophomore Jake W. Sweitzer who is currently ranked 18th in the state.  After a scoreless first period, Sweitzer took the lead in the second with an escape but gave up a takedown late in the period to go down 2-1 heading into the final period.  Ritchey was able to escape and fight off Sweitzer's attacks to win the match by a decision, giving the Miners an early 3-0 lead.

Senior Bradley Davis wins by major decision

Jace Guy took the mat at 145 for the Rams and was a winner by pin.  Senior Brad Davis won by major decision at 152 and the Rams had a 10-3 lead.  Mt Ridge won by major decision at 160 and senior Joe Embleton won a decision at 170 and the Rams had a slight 13-7 lead heading into the upper weights.

Senior Alec Horner in a battle against Mt Ridge

Senior Kris Tusing fought a great battle at 182 against one of the Miners top wrestlers.  Tusing kept it close and fought hard before giving up a quick pin with only seconds remaining in the match.  Southern's Hunter Park scored a fall at 195 which set the stage for Trenton Tasker's first ever varsity match at 220.

Trenton Tasker with his first varsity win in a pressure packed situation

The 10th grade Tasker has worked all season to drop 50 pounds to make 220 and he took the mat looking to score a win for his team.  The match was close throughout and as the clock was ticking down, the crowd was going wild as Tasker was able to hold on the a 6-4 advantage to win the decision for Southern.

Senior Joe Embleton with another big win for his team

At 285, Southern's Cole Sweitzer won by fall and the Rams led 28-13 with 5 bouts remaining.  The Miners won at 106 and 120 but Southern scored wins with Brogan Kealy at 113, Jake E. Sweitzer at 126 and Nate Tasker at 132 to close out the 44-24 victory for the Southern Rams.  For the second match in a row, senior Jake E. Sweitzer took the mat with the ability to clinch the victory for his team by winning his bout and for the second match in a row, he came through with a big pin for the Rams.  The win by Nate Tasker in the final match of the evening was his 100th career win and he joined the exclusive club of outstanding wrestlers who have come before him.

Jake E Sweitzer squares off with the match on the line

Southern 44 - Mt Ridge 24

138 - Camren Ritchey (MR) dec Jake W Sweitzer (SG) 5-1
145 - Jace Guy (SG) pinned Daimen Harold (MR) 2:38
152 - Bradley Davis (SG) m dec Chase Thomas (MR) 13-5
160 - Jay Miller (MR) m dec Alec Horner (SG) 13-2
170 - Joe Embleton (SG) dec Dustin MacDonald (MR) 6-0
182 - Marcus Folk (MR) pinned Kris Tusing (SG) 5:50
195 - Hunter Park (SG) pinned Luke Vinci (MR) 1:20
220 - Trenton Tasker (SG) dec Kenny Muir (MR) 6-4
285 - Cole Sweitzer (SG) pinned Nick Harden (MR) :44
106 - Jesse Fresh (MR) pinned Colum McCann (SG) 2:49
113 - Brogan Kealy (SG) m dec Jordan Kight (MR) 12-4
120 - Teddy Baker (MR) tech Joey McComas (SG) 16-0
126 - Jake E Sweitzer (SG) pinned Jacob Renotas (MR) :53
132 - Nate Tasker (SG) pinned Michael Warnick (MR) 1:22

The Southern Rams concluded the regular season with a record of 31-3 and a record of 13-1 in MPSSAA regional dual meet competition.  Southern will play host to the 1A West Dual Meet Championships on Wednesday the 7th with wrestling set to begin at 5:30pm.