(Cushing, Okla.) Last week the CHS wrestlers traveled to Anadarko to participate in the Oklahoma 4A Western Regionals. The Tigers were up against some impressive talent, but placed second as a team and managed to qualify nine wrestlers for the state tournament. Cushing came in second with 231 points. They missed first, which went to the returning 4A State Champions – Tuttle (268), by 37 points. One hundred-five points separated third from second, and went to Weatherford with 126. Piedmont (115.50), Glenpool (99.50), Clinton (96.50), McLoud (89), Anadarko (tie 76), Newcastle (tie 76), and Madill (68.00) finished out the top ten.
Friday at 10:30 am the first round of wrestling at the Big House – the State Fair Arena – will kick off. By 5:00 pm consolation matches should be underway. Opening ceremonies for Saturday’s title matches start at 5:00 pm and wrestlers should be on the mats by 5:45.
The State Tournament pits the east against the west in the first round. First up, on the bracket, will be 106 lb CHS sophomore, Daniel Hood. He placed first at Regionals; therefore, he will be up against fourth place sophomore (from the Eastern Regionals) Cody Lambert of Cascia Hall. This should prove an interesting match as Hood is 33-3 and Lambert 39-10 for the year.
At 113, freshman Levi Murray placed second at Regionals and will take on the east’s third place sophomore, Johnny Cooley of Bristow. Murray has won 10 of his 19 matches while Cooley is 28 and 13.
Mason Roberts, 120 lb sophomore, also brought home a second place trophy from the regional match. He will be up against third place junior, Kaleb Furr of Mannford. Furr has the better record of 31-4, but Roberts obviously has more experience with his 31 wins and 11 losses.
Cushing junior, Ricky Ahrberg has worked hard this year and it shows in his 30-9 record. He placed second in regionals and will be pitted against Catoosa’s Ryan Clevenger, a senior with a 37-9 record.
At 132, Dallas Ladd a CHS senior, who placed fourth in the west, will go against David Ayers of Locust Grove. Originally Josh Mouser of McLoud (West Regional third place) was set to wrestle Ayers, but because of a standing rule, he opted to take the fourth place spot and switch with Ladd.
Senior, Kyle Knight has an extraordinary record of 33-6. He brought home second at 138 and will be going up against sophomore Kaydon Evans of Poteau.
Ryan Moline, CHS junior, also brought home a second place win and will be up against third place from the east, sophomore, Luke May of Mannford. Moline is going into the match with a 32-11 record while May’s record is set at 27-13 for the season.
Sophomore Gage Stallworth will be wrestling in the number one spot at 160. He is coming off a 38-3 season and will go up against number four, senior, Cameron Willy of Vinita.
Last of the state qualifiers is senior, Brock Hubble at 220 lbs. He came in third at regionals and will be facing Mike Baker a Locust Grove junior. Both men have remarkable records; Baker is 29-6 while Hubble has finished at 32-4 for the season.
CHS had several other wrestlers who did well, but did not qualify for the state competition. At 170 Marshal Dilley placed fifth, 182 Clayton Fields brought sixth, Mac Ramsey at 195 also came home with a sixth, and at 285 Colton Farris did not place.
Head coach, Chad Short has great hopes for his wrestlers, “I am very proud of all my guys. They have been in some really tough battles all year long. They are very hard-working and are ready to fight all the way through to the finish. We feel that we have nine guys that have been battle-tested and have a great opportunity to finish on the podium. We certainly are excited about our opportunities.”
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