Chase Cooper

While snow and cold weather is playing havoc with school and sports schedules all over the state, the Silver Knight wrestlers at Tyler Consolidated managed to get in a little action last week.

The team had a make-up tri-meet with Beallsville and Barnesville on Jan. 24 and was able to hand the loss to Beallsville as a team, 48-24. Barnesville, however, brought a little more than the Knights could overcome, taking the team win, 54-30.

“It’s difficult to compete with schools that are still allowed to practice and compete when their school isn’t in session,” said Knight head coach Chad Snider. “Just getting all of our wrestlers on the same page without school is difficult.”

“Wrestling is a sport that requires a unique type of conditioning. Wrestling is usually the best way to get in cardiovascular shape for it. The weather isn’t giving us much oppurtunity to get in “wrestling shape”.”

“We did beat the weather to River High School on Saturday for a pools tournament, and were able to place two wrestlers in second place: Chase Cooper and Austin Spencer.”

Also placing at the event, in fourth for the Silver Knights were: Ben Pratt, Tyler Johnson, William Chapman, Tyler Knox, and Brandon Keys.

“I think that some of these guys are starting to show their styles,” Snider said. “We are having some success. We are still trying to fix basic mistakes for many on the team. In more than a few instances, we were winning the match, but lost because we “gassed” or didn’t counter a basic move. We will continue to address these finer details in practice. I am seeing a huge improvement in everyone, and am excited to see this young team develop into wrestlers.”

The Silver Knights will host Ritchie County and Bishop Donahue on Jan. 29. The team will recognize the lone senior on the team, Josh Ruble.

On Feb. 1 the team is scheduled to take part in the LKC tournament.