Crushing the Cougars

 After nearly 22 months, the Southern Rams took the mat to compete in an actual, real life dual meet.  On Wednesday, December 8th, the East Hardy Cougars visited Ram Arena to kick off the season for both squads.  The final outcome was determined fairly quickly as the Rams were victorious in each of the first 7 matches to take a 40-0 lead before East Hardy was able to get on the scoreboard.

The match started at 145 where Darien Hammers was awarded a forfeit.  Quentin Whetzel got the action started at 152 and scored a second period pin.  At 160, junior Kolton Lee dominated one of East Hardy's top wrestlers and came away with a 12-0 major decision.  Jaxsen Tasker continued our winning ways with a first period pin at 170 which led to another matchup of top wrestlers.

At 182, senior state place winner Hunter Sanders squared off against returning state qualifier Mason Miller.  The first period was tight with Sanders scoring a takedown at the end to take the lead.  Early in the second, Sanders was able to turn Miller to his back and score the pin to extend the Rams' lead to 28-0.  Jason Thomas was awarded a forfeit at 195 and Zach Schoch won by fall at 220 and Southern led 40-0.

East Hardy was able to win by pin at 285 and were given a forfeit at 106.  After a double forfeit at 113, freshman Ben Nazelrod made his Southern Wrestling debut.  He wrestled a great match but fell 1 point short, dropping a 5-4 decision to bring the team score to 40-15 in favor of the Rams.

Skyler Glotfelty won by fall at 126, freshman Charlie Wroten won by forfeit at 132 and senior co-captain Aiden Schwab scored a second period pin at 138 in the final bout of the night and give the Southern Rams a convincing 58-15 victory.

On Saturday, the Rams head to Keyser, WV to compete in the Kiwanis Duals at Keyser High School.  Wrestling begins at 10am. 

Southern 58 - East Hardy 15

145 - Darien Hammers (SG) via forfeit
152 - Quentin Whetzel (SG) pins Tyler Tarallo (EH) 2:56

160 - Kolton Lee (SG) m dec. Damian Iman (EH) 12-0

170 - Jaxsen Tasker (SG) pins James Shipe (EH) 1:59

182 - Hunter Sanders (SG) pins Mason Miller (EH) 2:30

195 - Jason Thomas (SG) via forfeit

220 - Zach Schoch (SG) pins Brennen Miller (EH) 1:28

285 - Matthew Harman (EH) pins Dominic Bittinger (SG) 1:44

106 - Milton Funkhouser (EH) via forfeit

113 - Double forfeit

120 - Shane Riggle (EH) dec. Ben Nazelrod (SG) 5-4

126 - Skyler Glotfelty (SG) pins Shawn Bodkin (EH)  :58

132 - Charlie Wroten (SG) via forfeit

138 - Aiden Schwab (SG) pins Brandon Jones (EH) 3:45

Coolin' The Cats

Getting ready for the Wildcats

The Southern Rams hosted the Williamsport Wildcats in a huge dual meet with critical post-season implications.  The winner of the evening's match would take the lead in the battle for the top seed in the 1A West Regional Dual Meet competition.  The top seed earns the right to host the Duals which will be held on Wednesday, February 12th.

Quentin Whetzel in control

The evening began with some exciting JV action.  Winners for Southern were Tanner Edwards, Skyler Glotfelty, David McRobie and Quentin Whetzel.

Aiden Schwab pins again

The varsity contest began at 113 with Jeremiah Mellinger taking on one of Williamsport's top wrestlers.  Mellinger wrestled a great match, fighting off all of Myers' attempts to pin.  Williamsport grabbed the early lead 5-0.  The Rams took back the lead with back to back pins at 120 and 126 by Aiden Schwab and Brogan Kealy.  At 132, freshman Kolton Lee faced off against returning state runner-up Landen Harbaugh.  Lee held his own against the Wildcat stud before giving the fall with only one second left in the 2nd period.

Jake Sweitzer with a 1st period pin

Williamsport took the lead 15-12 after a major decision at 138 and Southern tied it up 15-15 after Elisha Skipper won by decision at 145.  This would be as close as it ever got as Southern won each of the next five bouts to seal the victory.  Pins by Jake Sweitzer, Declan McCann and Hunter Sanders and major decisions by Zach Schoch and Justin Ricther ran the team score up to 41-15 and clinched the victory for the Southern Rams.

Zach Schoch in total control

 Williamsport won the final three bouts, but it was too little, too late.  The final score was 41-33 and the Rams moved into the number one spot in the 1A west region.  Next up for Southern is the final regular season dual meet against the Petersburg Vikings at home.  It is scheduled for Thursday, February 6th in the Ram Arena.

Hunter Sanders ends it quickly

Southern 41 - Williamsport 33

106 - Zach Starr (W) pins Jay Miller (SG) 1:09
113 - Brandon Myers (W) tech Jeremiah Mellinger (SG) 18-3
120 - Aiden Schwab (SG) pins Logan Williams (W) 5:38
126 - Brogan Kealy (SG) pins Julian Gerringier (W) 1:17
132 - Landon Harbaugh (W) pins Kolton Lee (SG) 3:59
138 - Malaki Cunningham (W) m dec Colum McCann (SG) 16-4
145 - Elisha Skipper (SG) dec Shimon Aguayo (W) 5-0
152 - Jake Sweitzer (SG) pins Corban Carrazco (W) :56
160 - Zach Schoch (SG) m dec Joseph Horner (W) 14-3
170 - Declan McCann (SG) pins Evan Norton (W) 5:19
182 - Hunter Sanders (SG) pins Ian Thomas (W) :54
195 - Justin Richter (SG) m dec Sebastian Sauer (W) 13-3
220 - Brandon Oyster (W) pins Chris Mersing (SG) 1:54
285 - Max Larkin (W) pins Cameron Glover (SG) 3:39

Senior Night Success

Awesome displays for our seniors

The Southern Rams hosted the Mountain Ridge Miners on Thursday evening and prior to the start of the match, the team recognized the four senior wrestlers and one senior cheerleader.

Senior Cheerleader, Jocelyn Schoch

Jocelyn Schoch is the daughter of Stephanie and Dale Schoch of Oakland.  Jocelyn has been a member of the Cheerleading squad for all four years and is serving as team captain this year.  After graduation, Jocelyn plans to attend Potomac State College to study Business Management and will continue her Cheerleading career.  Miss Jocelyn Schoch

Senior Wrestler, Tad Rodeheaver

Tad Rodeheaver is the son of Sandy and Mark Rodeheaver of Deer Park.  This is Tad's first year on the wrestling team.  Tad is also a member of the cross-country, indoor soccer and robotics teams.  Tad is also an avid performer in the theater.  After graduation, Tad will attend Norwich University in Vermont to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.  Mr. Tad Rodeheaver

Senior Co-Captain, Trenton Taskern

Trenton Tasker is the son of Missy and Bizzy Tasker of Oakland.  Trenton is a four year member of the wrestling team.  Trenton is also very active in 4H and FFA and currently serves at president of the local FFA Chapter.  After graduation, Trenton plans to attend a trade school to become certified in welding and machining.  Mr. Trenton Tasker

Senior Co-Captain, Declan McCannn

Declan McCann is the son of Michelle and Jerry McCann of Oakland.  Declan is a 4 year member of the wrestling team and has been a varsity starter since his sophomore year.  To date, Declan has earned 79 career victories.  Declan is also a member of the football and track teams.  After graduation, Declan plans to attend college and continue his wrestling career.  Mr. Declan McCann

Senior Co-Captain, Jake Sweitzer

Jake Sweitzer is the son of Kim and Bob Sweitzer of Oakland.  Jake is a four years varsity starter on our wrestling team.  He has earned 144 wins in his career and placed 3rd at the state tournament as a junior and 6th as a sophomore.  Jake is also a member of the cross country and track teams.  After graduation, Jake will attend Davis & Elkins College to pursue a degree in Computer Science and continue his wrestling career.  Mr. Jake Sweitzer

The varsity match started at 160 after 2 big JV wins by Tad Rodeheaver and Zach Evans.  Southern was awarded a forfeit at 160 which set up the showdown at 170 between Declan McCann and Dustin MacDonald for Mountain Ridge.  MacDonald, in search of his 100th career win, took the lead in the first period by scoring a takedown and near fall points.  McCann fought hard in the second period, which ended with the visiting wrestler holding a 7-3 lead.  After a flurry of action in the third, MacDonald came out on top and took home a 14-7 victory for his milestone win.

Declan McCann in a battle

Hunter Sanders was awarded a forfeit at 182 and Mountain Ridge would score a pin at 195 to bring the team score to 12-9 in Southern's favor.  Chris Mersing and Trenton Tasker were able to score 1st period falls at 220 & 285 and the Rams led 24-9 heading into the lower weight classes.

Trenton Tasker with a big pin

Mountain Ridge would score two falls of their own at 106 and 113 to tighten the team score to 24-21 in favor of the Rams.  These would be the last points scored by the Miners as Southern would reel off 6 straight wins to end the night and capture the victory by the score of 56-21

Southern 56 - Mountain Ridge 21

106 - Frankie Rizzo (MR) pins Jay Miller (SG) 3:52
113 - Jesse Fresh (MR) pins Jeremiah Mellinger (SG) 1:37
120 - Aiden Schwab (SG) tech fall Landon McAlpine (MR) 18-3
126 - Brogan Kealy (SG) via forfeit
132 - Kolton Lee (SG) pins Hunter MacDonald (MR) 1:20
138 - Colum McCann (SG) via forfeit
145 - Elisha Skipper (SG) dec Levi Kyle (MR) 7-0
152 - Jake Sweitzer (SG) via forfeit
160 - Zach Schoch (SG) via forfeit
170 - Dustin MacDonald (MR) dec Declan McCann (SG) 14-7
182 - Hunter Sanders (SG) via forfeit
195 - Jay Miller (MR) pins Justin Richter (SG) 1:53
220 - Chris Mersing (SG) pins Jaden Rosales (MR) :22
285 - Trenton Tasker (SG) pins Peyton Porter (MR) 1:32