Ben Pauli, Charger Staff
Everything comes together this time of year for wrestling teams across the
state. Coach Scott Cook hopes that this is also the situation for our very own
Cavalier wrestling squad.
Though this season has been one of many ups and downs for the wrestling team,
he hopes that the team can finish on a strong note at the Region Championships,
February 8 and 9 at the Cookeville High School gymnasium.
"I think it is a huge advantage for us to host the regions and be comfortable
on our home mat. Hopefully we will have a large contingent of fans here to support
us and send a few guys to the State Championships."
Cook says he hopes to send at least eight wrestlers to the State Championships
in Chattanooga, February 16-18.
He looks to team captains Kristi Sweat, Joe Hill, Nicolas "Paco"
Martinez, and David Hobbs to lead the way for the squad.
The top four wrestlers in each weight class at the Region Championships get
an automatic ticket to States in Chattanooga.
All of the coaches in the region will meet on Tuesday, February 5, to rank
all of the wrestlers in each weight class.
"Ideally, I would like to have eight or nine wrestlers going into the
tournament ranked in the top four in their weight class."
Team Captain Hill stated his goals. "I want to be in the finals on Saturday
night and be one of the top 10 wrestlers in Tennessee."
Bill Ferrell, wrestling in the 152 lb. weight class, has goals that sound similar.
"I want to be at least third and make it to Chattanooga. This season has
been tough, but I need to finish strong and be at State."
Nicolas Martinez, another captain has been injured for about six weeks now,
but Cook is hopeful that he will make a comeback in time to make it to Chattanooga.
"Paco is a veteran wrestler and I look to him to heal up and have a good
showing at the Regions."
Although Cook says he wants to take eight to Chattanooga, Hill seems a little more optimistic. "I know we are capable of taking at least ten or eleven guys to the State Championships."
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