Pumped to take home a win, the wrestling team went toe to toe with Parkway Central. They hoped to add another victory to their successful season, in which they have won two of three duals and brought home wins in various tournaments.

The two teams entered the small gym and commenced their warm up with full-body stretches, spins, and pins. The referee called the start of the match, asking the first two competitors to step to the center of the mat.

Senior Jeremiah Hathorn began the first match. He shook his opponent’s hand in sportsmanship, but soon began to battle. Hawthorn flung the Parkway wrestler to the ground but was soon locked in a pin. After going back and forth, Hathorn defeated his challenger.

“Even though I won my match,” said Hathorn, “I still felt defeated, because I didn’t do as well as I wanted. If I pinned my guy the entire team would’ve won.”

Junior Tarique Jefferson walked on the mat with the eye of the lion. As soon as the whistle was blown Tarique attacked. He dominated the match, taking his opponent down several times. Jefferson never let up and subdued his opponent with a pin.

“I felt obilgated to keep the streak going,“ said Jefferson. “Everyone on the team was winning so I had to beat my opponent too.”

The competitors on both teams went in with enthusiasm and sportsmanship. The closeness of each match proved this.

“The team worked and trained hard,” said junior Lynden Peoples. “It was unfortunate we missed our goal by so little.”

Even though the team came up short, senior Tyler Buckner met his own personal goal. “Coach Morgan awards a king-sized Snickers to whoever gets the fastest pin,” said Buckner. “That motivated me to go out there to take care of business. I had to make sure I pinned my guy real fast.

In the end, U. City was short by 3 points. The final score was 24-21 Parkway Central.