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

Alumni Night

Alumni Night Celebration

Nearly thirty former Southern Ram wrestlers were recognized last evening at our first annual Alumni Night celebration.  Each wrestler was presented a Southern Wrestling shirt compliments of J. Gregory Law and Tees Me T's.  It was great seeing all the former grapplers who have all grown out of their high school weight classes and into successful members of our community.

Southern Wrestlers in attendance:
Class of 1977 - Tim Rush - Regional Qualifier @132
Class of 1979 - Dave Browning - 126 pound weight class
Class of 1984 - Rob Sebold - Regional Qualifier @ Unlimited
Class of 1985 - Wade Deckman - Regional Qualifier @ 120
Class of 1986 - Bruce Brown - 112 pound weight class
Class of 1986 - Brad King - State Qualifier @ 126
Class of 1986 - Chad King - State Qualifier @ 132
Class of 1988 - Bryan Davis - 126 pound weight class
Class of 1992 - Shane Skipper - 140 pound weight class
Class of 1997 - Paul Tepper - 135 pound weight class
Class of 1999 - Ricky Hamilton - 171 pound weight class
Class of 2002 - Justin Gregory - Regional Qualifier @ 119
Class of 2004 - Travis Sines - 152 pound weight class
Class of 2004 - Jason Weeks - State Qualifier @ 171
Class of 2005 - Jeffrey Gregory - Regional Qualifier @ 152
Class of 2006 - Jeremy Gregory - State Qaulifier @ 160
Class of 2007 - Justin Ratliff - State Champion & State Runner-up @ 160
Class of 2007 - Cory Reckart - 145 pound weight class
Class of 2008 - Sean Sisler - 3X State Placewinner @ 285
Class of 2009 - Jordan Skipper - State Champion @ 152
Class of 2011 - Ryan Bennett - 2X State Runner-up
Class of 2011 - Dale Marple - Regional Qualifier @ 160
Class of 2012 - Sean Chapman - Member of 2009 State Championship Team
Class of 2012 - Mikey Skipper - 2X State Qualifier @ 152
Class of 2015 - Dalton Cooper - Regional Qualifier @ 195
Class of 2016 - Devan Hamrick - 2X State Champion @ 138
Class of 2016 - Corey Horner - Regional Qualifier @ 152
Class of 2018 - Alec Horner - Member of 2018 State Championship Team
Class of 2019 - Michael Moon - Member of '18 & '19 State Championship Teams

Prior to the varsity match, there were several JV contests between wrestlers from Southern and University High.  Althought University had the edge, all our JVs wrestled tough.

Quentin with a cradle locked up

The main event of the evening featured the Southern Rams taking on the visiting University Hawks from Morgantown.  The match started at the 220 pound weight class which featured Southern's Chris Mersing against Josh Sanders from UHS.  Sanders, having earned his 100th career win earlier in the season, scored the first takedown and on to the lead throughout the bout.  After the 6-5 victory, University lead 3-0.  University added six more points at 285 with a pin and lead 9-0 heading into the lower weight classes.

Jay Miller with a big win

At 106, newcomer Jay Miller ground out an impressive victory to put the first points on the board for the Rams.  After receiving a forfeit at 113, Aiden Schwab earned his team-leading 22nd pin of the season to give Southern the lead 15-9.  Unfortunately, that lead would not last.  University would go on to win the next six bouts with 3 decisions, 2 major decisions and 1 pin and build a lead of 32-15 with only three bouts remaining.

Aiden Schwab with another pin

To win the dual, Southern would need pins in all three of the final bouts.  At 170, Declan McCann dominated his opponent, but was never able to turn him and would come away with a 7-2 decision.  At 182, Hunter Sanders won by pin and at 195, Justin Richter lost a wild 9-8 decision.  In the end, University out wrestled Southern and prevailed 35-24.

The Southern Rams are back in action at home on Thursday evening against the Mountain Ridge Miners.  Our 4 seniors will be recognized at just prior to 7pm.

Our Seniors will be recognized on Thursday evening

University 35 - Southern 24

106 - Jay Miller (SG) dec Will Angelozzi (U) 8-3
113 - Tanner Edwards (SG) via forfeit
120 - Aiden Schwab (SG) pins Timmy Cargill (U) 3:00
126 - Jace Stockett (U) dec Brogan Kealy (SG) 3-2
132 - Dom Parker (U) pins Kolton Lee (SG) 1:37
138 - Mason Pauley (U) m dec Colum McCann (SG) 11-2
145 - Joey Gidley (U) dec Elisha Skipper (SG) 5-1
152 - Dakota Hagerdorn (U) dec Jake Sweitzer (SG) 4-1
160 - Elisha Welling-Osha (U) m dec Zach Schoch (SG) 13-4
170 - Declan McCann (SG) dec Ben Tower (U) 7-2
182 - Hunter Sanders (SG) pins Isaac Wong (U) 2:23
195 - Sean Murray (U) dec Justin Richter (SG) 9-8
220 - Josh Sanders (U) dec Chris Mersing (SG) 6-5
285 - Corbin Turney (U) pins Trenton Tasker (SG) 3:32

Student Body Slam

Colum McCann grinds out a tech fall

The Southern Rams took the mat Thursday afternoon for a match against the Hampshire Trojans in front of our student body.  Students jumped at the chance to get out of class to report to the gym to watch our team in action.  The visiting Trojans have been hit hard with injuries and sickness, but the boys they brought were ready to battle.

Our warm-up, always a crowd favorite

The match started at 106 and the students were treated to an exciting match that came down to the wire.  Hampshire was able to pull off a 9-7 win by decision to take a 3-0 lead in the team scoring.  It was the only match they would be able to win.  At 113, Tanner Edwards went right to work and scored a first period pin.  Hampshire forfeited 120 and 126 and the Rams were quickly up 18-3

Tanner Edwards with a big pin

At 132, Kolton Lee continued his winning ways with a first period fall.  That was followed by a tech fall at 138 by Colum McCann and another pin at 145 by Elisha Skipper.  Jake Sweitzer and Zach Schoch received forfeits at 152 and 160 and the Rams led 47-3 as we went into the upper weight classes.

Elisha Skipper, victorious again

Senior Declan McCann took the mat at 170 against Hampshire's team captain and after a slow start, McCann turned it on, scoring 8 points to finish out the first period.  There was more of the same in the second as McCann scored 5 more points to take a 13-0 lead before securing the fall near the end of the second period.  Hunter Sanders did the same thing at 182, building a 9-1 lead before pinning his Trojan foe in the second period.

A dominating win by Declan McCann

The wildest match of the afternoon took place at 195 between Southern's Justin Richter and Hampshire's Jacob Staub.  Both wrestlers were very physical and competed with high intensity.  Richter took an early lead and was in control.  He built the advantage to 15-5 before Staub came storming back.   The Hampshire grappler took control of the match in the third period and was able to put Richter on his back, nearly pinning him twice.  In the end, Richter's 15 points were enough to secure the win by 2 in a very exciting bout.

Hunter Sanders with another pin

Chris Mersing made quick work of his opponent at 220, pinning him in just 40 seconds and Trenton Tasker was awarded a forfeit at 285 to close out the match, bringing the final score to 74-3 in favor of the home standing Southern Rams

Hey Ref, look at his shoulders

Next up for Southern is a match at home on Monday night against WV powerhouse University High from Morgantown.  This match is designated Alumni Night as all former Southern Wrestlers in attendance will receive free admission and will be recognized prior to the Varsity match at 7pm.

Southern 74 - Hampshire 3
106 - Miguel Elmer (H) dec Jay Miller (SG) 9-7
113 - Tanner Edwards (SG) pins Gabriel Hamm (H) 1:16
120 - Aiden Schwab (SG) via forfeit
126 - Brogan Kealy (SG) via forfeit
132 - Kolton Lee (SG) pins Dillon Chambers (H) 1:55
138 - Colum McCann (SG) tech Levi Richman (H) 15-0
145 - Elisha Skipper (SG) pins Travis Buckley (H) 4:35
152 - Jake Sweitzer (SG) via forfeit
160 - Zach Schoch (SG) via forfeit
170 - Declan McCann (SG) pins Luke Alkire (H) 3:45
182 - Hunter Sanders (SG) pins Raymond Buckler (H) 2:18
195 - Justin Richter (SG) dec Jacob Staub (H) 15-13
220 - Chris Mersing (SG) pins Seth Dunham (H) :40
285 - Trenton Tasker (SG) via forfeit

Huskie Meet

Great wrestling in the Igloo last night

On Monday evening, the Southern Ram wrestlers traveled across the county to face off against the Northern Huskies in the second meeting of the season.  It was a cold winter evening outside, but inside the Igloo, things heated up quickly.  Each team entered the evening with only one dual meet loss and each were in search of a spot in the regional dual meet tournament.

Declan wins a big match against Wilhelm

The match started at 132 pounds where Southern's Kolton Lee built up a 12-1 lead before pinning his opponent in the second period.  Northern won a decision at 138 and Southern's Elisha Skipper won a decision at 145 to bring the team score to 9-3 in favor of the Rams.
Northern forfeited to senior Jake Sweitzer at 152 and won by decision at 160 bringing the team score to 15-6 Southern, setting up the first of two premier match-ups of the evening.  For Northern, senior Hunter Wilhelm, a third place finisher at last season's state tournament, took the mat at 170 against senior Declan McCann for the Rams.  It was a tight match throughout with McCann coming out on top on the strength of two takedowns.  After the 5-3 decision, the Rams led 18-6 and that was as close as the match would get.

Hunter Sanders wins for the 30th time this season

Hunter Sanders won by fall at 182 while Justin Richter and Cameron Glover were given forfeits at 195 and 220.  After a pin at 285 by Chris Mersing, Southern led 42-6 heading into the lower weights.
Northern won by pin at 106 and tech fall at 113 setting up the second marquis match-up of the evening.

Chop Mersing with a big-man cradle

At 120, Southern's Aiden Schwab took the mat to face Northern's Jacob Brenneman, both top level wrestlers.  The bout started with a takedown by Brenneman and a reversal by Schwab.  They each reversed positions again bringing the score to 4-4 at the end of the first period.  Brenneman controlled the rest of the match, riding Schwab the entire second period and earning a reversal and hear fall points in the third period to earn a 9-4 victory over Schwab.  Brogan Kealy was awarded a forfeit at 126 and the match concluded with Southern on top 48-20.

A great match between two great wrestlers

The Rams return to action on Thursday with a match against the Hampshire Trojans at home in front of the student body at 2pm.  Special thanks to Janet Keller for the awesome photos.

Southern 48 - Northern 20

106 - Riley Hoenstein (NG) pins Jay Miller (SG) 1:27
113 - Shane Fink (NG) tech fall Jeremiah Mellinger (SG) 17-2
120 - Jacob Brenneman (NG) dec Aiden Schwab (SG) 9-4
126 - Brogan Kealy (SG) via forfeit
132 - Kolton Lee (SG) pins Austin Ravenscroft (NG) 3:30
138 - Chase Taylor (NG) dec Colum McCann (SG) 11-4
145 - Elisha Skipper (SG) dec Devin Smith (NG) 7-0
152 - Jake Sweitzer (SG) via forfeit
160 - Josh Thomas (NG) dec Zach Schoch (SG) 7-0
170 - Declan McCann (SG) dec Hunter Wilhelm (NG) 5-3
182 - Hunter Sanders (SG) pins Nathan Reams (NG) :35
195 - Justin Richter (SG) via forfeit
220 - Cameron Glover (SG) via forfeit
285 - Chris Mersing (SG) pins Jacob Beeman (NG) 1:34