Dora Taylor, Charger Staff
Wrapping up the season strong was Cookeville High School's very own Cavalier
Wrestling Team. On February 1-2, Cookeville hosted its first Region 3 Wrestling
Tournament. Fourteen different weight classes were represented at the Region
3 Tournament. The top four wrestlers from each weight class advanced to the
State Tournament held at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga on February 14-16.
The team's goal for the Region Tournament was to have 10 out of 14 varsity wrestlers advance to the state tournament. Believe it or not, our Cavaliers were right on the money. CHS had 10 out of 14, breaking the school record, advance to States: B.J. Sullivan (112 lbs.), Daniel Boyce (130 lbs.), Charles Taylor (135 lbs.), Justin Proctor (140 lbs), Joe Hill (145 lbs.), Kevin McCaleb (160 lbs.), David Hobbs (171 lbs.), Nicholas Martinez (189 lbs.), Brandon Nabors (215 lbs.), and Matt Bates (275 lbs.).
At the Region Tournament, CHS even had one of its own to be Region Champion--Joe Hill. When questioned about his feelings toward the event, Hill says, "I don't accept defeat. Yeah, I went in expecting a hard match, but I also went in determined to win."
Ever heard of The Rock? Well, how about CHS's Charles Taylor (a.k.a. The Gravel)? Taylor wrestled Junior Varsity until Varsity teammate Darnell Gammon was injured and Taylor was given the honor of wrestling in his spot. In his first year, Taylor is proving to have tons of potential. He has won more matches than any other J.V. wrestler and placed fourth in his weight class at Regionals, which advanced him to States. Though slightly inexperienced, Taylor surpassed even his own expectations, "Coming onto the Varsity team late to fill in for Gammon kinda scared me. I was so surprised when I won my qualifying match." Some other varsity wrestlers even commented that "Chuck shows the potential to be one of the best wrestlers Cookeville has ever had."
CHS has many other extraordinary victories at Regionals. Hobbs defeated Cleveland's #1 wrestler in the semifinals 3-2. Bates placed second in the finals. Proctor defeated McMinn County's top wrestler Brandon Westhall in the semifinals. Martinez placed third in his weight class in the Consolation Finals by defeating Rhea County's James Beach. Sullivan and Boyce, McCaleb, and Nabors all placed fourth in their weight classes and advanced on to state.
So what about Cookeville's World Champion wrestler Kristi Sweat? Well, Sweat put up an exceptional fight in the regionals. In fact, she was only one match shy of going on to state. Though she didn't make state, Sweat showed great support to her teammates. When the 10 state finalists decided to shave their heads and dye what was left red, Sweat jumped in head first, literally, and dyed her hair red. What a woman.
The state tournament was held at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga. Our wrestlers went down with a new goal: to gain experience. Hobbs, who went further than any other CHS wrestler, says, "I got my goal: to win one match at state." Not only did Hobbs achieve his goal, he surpassed it. Hobbs won 3 matches at state. CHS wrestling team worked hard for state, putting in their usual 3 hours of practice every day after school to prepare themselves. The CHS wrestling team is looking forward to kicking some tail in next year's tournament. CHS salutes the Cavalier Wrestling Team (including the Junior Varsity.)