Wrestling has become a popular sport at Carolina Forest High School. It takes a lot of determination, energy, and thinking. Wrestlers can use a variety of different styles and tactics to pin down their opponent and win the match.
Our team has brought success to new heights. This past Saturday, Feb. 7, our team won the state championship.
Leading the wrestling team is our head coach Matthew Perdue. Our team members from Varsity are Brody Bailey, Joseph Britt, Josh Brown, Preston Crone, Bryson Dale, Drew DeForrest, Vann Gibney, Eric Goss, Tristan Greene, Calvin Grover, George Handley, Amari Johnson, Finnegan McCarthy, Cooper McMahon, Issac Medeiris, Bradley Miller, Tyler Patterson, and Gary Tomlin.
Coach Perdue stated, “This season was filled with a lot of growth and excitement because these kids have worked so hard the past three to four years. They were able to capitalize on the opportunity that was given to them. As their coach, it was awesome to see how some of the wrestlers barely made the line-up to become some of the top wrestlers in the state.”
George Handley added, “It felt great to win states and making school history, so everyone remembers my name.”
A question that oftentimes many people wonder is why the students chose wrestling as their sport and face difficult obstacles.
A senior, Tyler Patterson, has been wrestling for four years.
Patterson stated, “I wanted to try something hard. Some challenges for me are the weight cutting and physical exhaustion.””
Another student who wrestles for CF is senior Ashrae Keyes. She is on our junior varsity team.
Keyes’ stated, “I joined wrestling because I am passionate about fitness, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do; I just never had time.”
This is Keyes’ first year wrestling but has done Jiu-Jitsu and MMA for a year before joining the team at CF.
All wrestlers must face a challenge at some point in their time performing the sport. Keyes had a good challenge this season.
Keyes also voiced, “Just to prove myself worthy to my teammates who were experienced, wrestling is the hardest sport to get your face out there and you just have to keep pushing through the pain and frustrations. You’re not always going to want to go to practice, do bleachers or run sprints, but what matters is that you put in the effort.”
Congratulations to our team for all their achievements; we are the best in the state! Your hard work and determination do not go unnoticed.
Picture Credit: Ashlyn Britt
