By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
ENID – It was a rough afternoon for the Wildcats Saturday at the Stride Bank Center.
Third-ranked Piedmont lost the first seven matches in a 42-27 loss to top-ranked and eventual state runner-up Collinsville in the semifinals of the 2020 Class 5A Dual Team Wrestling Championships. The loss came off a opening round win over No. 4 Glenpool on Friday.
The Wildcats lost consecutive matches at 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145 and 152 pounds before senior Landis Scoon picked up the team’s first win, by forfeit, at 160. Senior Bo Hardy followed Scoon with a decision win at 170. Hardy’s win sparked a late rally that wasn’t enough as senior Austin Cooley (195) and Dylan Hampton (285) as well as sophomore Makaveli Ramirez (220) combined to win three of the final five matches.
Collinsville went on to lose to Skiatook 32-28 in the championship match Saturday night. It was the second straight year the Wildcats reached the semifinals under head coach Erik Ford.
PIEDMONT TAKES DOWN GLENPOOL
Ford’s squad opened dual state with a 39-23 win over fourth-ranked Glenpool Friday.
Much like their semifinals performance, the Cats got off to a slow start, losing six of the first seven matches. However, they reeled off seven straight wins for the comeback victory.
Kolten Luschen gave Piedmont its first win with a fall over Luke Samuels at 138 pounds to cut the team’s deficit to 17-6. After a loss at 145, Tabor McClure (152), Scoon, Hardy, Bryce DiGiacinto (182), Cooley, Ramirez and Hampton combined for 33 unanswered points to secure the victory.
Piedmont finishes the dual season with a 10-2 record, including a district title.
The team’s only two losses came to Class 6A teams, including top-ranked Mustang and Deer Creek.
The Cats now turn their sights to the 2020 regional tournament Friday and Saturday at El Reno High School followed by next weekend’s state tournament at Jim Norick arena in Oklahoma City.
