By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — There weren’t too many bright spots in Watauga’s first conference wrestling dual vs. St. Stephens on Jan. 6, the veteran Indians team leaving Lentz Eggers Gym with a decisive, 66-9 team win.
Arguably the brightest match of the evening for the Pioneers was Mikey Portante’s pin of Saint Stephens’ Davis Kerns at the 4:53 mark. Portante seemed in control for the better part of the match, punctuated by a resounding upending of Kerns in the late going of the 190 lb. weight class.
The only other points earned by the Pioneers was at 144 lbs., with Beattie Hendley pulling off a 9-6 decision over the Indians’ Benry Odom.
FULL RESULTS
- 106: Tommy Kishpaugh (SSHS) win by forfeit
- 113: Henry Franklin (SSHS) p. Canaan Woodring 1:17
- 120: Zane Taylor (SSHS) win by forfeit
- 126: Malachai Esclamado (SSHS) p. Justice Hendley 2:39
- 132: Koen Killian (SSHS) p. Thaddeus Martin 0:53
- 138: Alexander Stewart (SSHS) p. Bennett Ward 2:45
- 144: Beattie Hendley (WHS) SV D. Carson Powell 9-6
- 150: Atticus Lail (SSHS) p. Benry Odom (WHS) 0:36
- 157: Jacob Morgan (SSHS) d. Cole Kleman 6-4
- 165: Jake Hoke (SSHS) d. Michael Morgan 20-13
- 175: Nathan Moretz (SSHS) forfeit
- 190: Mikey Portante (WHS) p. Davis Kerns 4:53
- 215: Avery Rhymer (SSHS) forfeit
- 285: Davante Johnson (SSHS) p. Cayman Hayes 1:04
Portante leads a Pioneer roster that is reportedly up to 35 athletes competing for spots in the various weight classes. Nonetheless, on this night Watauga was unable to field grapplers in four weight classes, including 106 lbs., 120 lbs., 175 lbs, and 215 lbs.
After the match, Pioneer head coach Terreyl Williams was proud of the effort put in by all of his wrestlers, acknowledged that he is still missing some athletes at certain weights, and said the team is still building its identity.
When asked by High Country Sports about the fast-growing Watauga middle school program, which earlier in the evening defeated Avery County, 52-33, Williams broke into a big grin, noting that middle school head coach Zack Strickland was previously the Watauga High School team’s head coach.
“To have him back (coaching) down there (at the middle school level) is pretty awesome,” said Williams. “He’s got about 45 kids already, so he is really growing that program. He is doing a phenomenal job and that is going to do nothing but help us (at the high school level) in the future.”
Watauga’s wrestlers will next host Freedom in another Northwestern Conference tilt on Friday, Jan. 9, in Lentz Eggers Gym.
BONUS PHOTOS (Click any image for larger view and Slide Show Mode)
All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports
