By Blake Colston
Sports Editor
Bigger challenges present greater opportunities.
That’s the case for Piedmont’s wrestling program as it prepares to make the jump to Class 6A for the state tournament this season.
The Wildcats, who finished seventh as a team at 5A state last season, will remain in Class 5A for district duals for two more years, but will compete in 6A at the state tournament for the first time.
Head coach Erik Ford, now in his 12th season at the helm, knows bumping up to 6A will be difficult, but said his program has the right kind of foundation to handle it.
“Our program is in really good shape. Our numbers are good and we have a lot of good wrestlers,” Ford said.
Piedmont will have a young lineup overall, but does return some experienced wrestlers. Here’s a weight-by-weight look at Piedmont’s projected lineup in advance of the Wildcats’ season-opening dual at Yukon Dec. 2.
106 – Barrett Byers – A sophomore, Byers moved in from Deer Creek during the offseason. He’s off to a good start after winning his weight class at a preseason event in Yukon earlier this month.
113 – Cash Donnell – Pound for pound, Donnell could be Piedmont’s best wrestler. He was a state runner-up as a freshman and is poised for a massive sophomore season.
120 – Trevor Tewell, a junior, is a three-year starter that is ready to break through with his first state tournament appearance.
126 – Iain Sharp will get the first crack to occupy this weight. He’s a senior that hasn’t been in the lineup before, but has the talent to make a big impact.
132 – Jayden Fuston wrestled for the Oklahoma National Team this summer and is set to start for PHS as a freshman.
138 – Alan Flores will be a four-year starter and has state tournament pedigree after placing fourth there last season.
145 – Brady Roberts is primed to make his way into the lineup for the first time.
152 – Joseph Thomas is the most improved wrestler from year to year that Ford has ever coached, Ford said. The senior was a starter at 160 pounds last season.
160 – Kolten Luschen is also a football star for Piedmont. He made state last season and was one win away from placing, but a gruesome ankle injury during a consolation match robbed him of the chance to advance.
170 – Jackson Blackburn – Blackburn is short on experience as a freshman, but wrestled on the Oklahoma National Team this summer, so he has plenty of ability.
182 – This is, currently, the only hole in Piedmont’s lineup. Jack Jantz could wrestle here, but is injured to start the season. In duals, Ford said Piedmont will slide a lighter wrestler into this position.
195 – Either Makaveli Ramirez, a state runner-up last season at 220 pounds, or sophomore Brogan Hardy will hold down this spot with the other moving to 220. Both are among the ‘Cats most talented wrestlers.
Heavyweight – Sophomore Jordan Fuston or senior James Maguire – if healthy – will wrestle here for PHS.
