By Blake Colston
Sports Editor
Piedmont’s wrestling team was off this week as it prepared for the Class 6A regional tournament scheduled for Feb. 17-18 at Southmoore High School. This will be the Wildcats first regional tournament as a member of Class 6A.
Here’s a look at some of the top individual performers for PHS as the season enters its final stanza.
Donnell, Ramirez wrestling strong
Cash Donnell and Makavelli Ramirez continue to lead the way for the ‘Cats. Both swept through their brackets at the Chickasha Tournament last weekend on the way to first place finishes. Donnell improved to 29-0 on the season. Ramirez is 28-6.
“With out tournament schedule, it’s not easy to have a good record so both of those records are impressive,” head coach Erik Ford said.
Brogan Hardy was third at 220 pounds in Chickasha. Ramirez edged Hardy in a semifinal match on his way to the title.
“It was a good match. Both guys wrestled tough,” Ford said.
Potential state qualifiers
Ramirez and Donnell lead the way, but aren’t the only Wildcats with a chance to make it to Oklahoma City.
Barrett Byers could make a run at state at 106 pounds, Ford said. Byers is 22-9 this season.
Trevor Tewell finished sixth at Chickasha at 120 pounds and is in the best form of his career.
“He’s wrestling better than he ever has before,” Ford said.
Ian Mitchell, a freshman, won Piedmont’s first-ever junior high state title last week at 143 pounds and has a chance to advance to state.
Jayden Fuston, also a freshman, has impressed this season and hopes to qualify at 132 pounds. Joseph Thomas (152 pounds or 160 pounds) and Dawson Meador (170 pounds) are also in the running.
Ford said Piedmont has a chance to qualify a wrestler for state at heavyweight, but isn’t sure who will wrestle in that position yet.
To reach state, wrestlers have to finish fifth or better at regionals.
“We’re in good shape physically and we’re trending the right way mentally. At the end of the day, you’re going to have to go win a tight match (at regionals) to make state,” Ford said. “They’ll have to earn it.”
Here’s the full list of teams in Piedmont’s regional draw next week.
Capitol Hill, Choctaw, Edmond Memorial, Edmond North, Edmond Santa Fe, Lawton, Mustang, Norman, Norman North, Putnam City, Putnam City West, Southmoore, Westmooore, US Grant and Yukon.
