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
152 - Quentin Whetzel (SG) pins Tyler Tarallo (EH) 2:56
