by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi
Lancaster’s wrestlers went unbeaten in back-to-back matches before the holiday break to improve the team record to 15-1.
The Red Devils went 3-0 at a Northumberland Quad December 17, beating the host Indians, 78-6, and defeating Mathews, 60-24, before shutting out Washington & Lee, 84-0. The Devils hosted the Lancaster Duals December 21 and went 5-0 to win their own tournament for the first time since it began in 2007.
“It was a great achievement for us,” said LHS coach Craig Oren.
In the duals, Lancaster claimed 13 individual medals, including eight gold, three silver and two bronze and had teams wins over Northampton, 64-18, Essex, 78-6, Windsor, 81-0, Franklin, 67-12, and Chilhowie, 63-18.
Gold medalist for LHS included Mike Bennett (220), Marshall Lee (138), Austin O’Bier (106), Zach Rhodes (152), Kyle Uhler (126), Adam Wilmore (195), DJ Zeiler (113), Tate Wilmore (HWT). All eight went unbeaten at 5-0. O’Bier and Rhodes improved to 15-1 on the season.
“They continue to prove that the basic techniques mixed with intensity is a winning combination,” said Oren.
Lee and A. Wilmore are undefeated on the season.
“Michael [Bennett] is really coming on strong early this season,” said Oren. “He is a strong kid and is mixing in some solid technique. Tate [Wilmore] also had an impressive performance, where he showed a wide variety of techniques.”
Going 4-1 and winning silver for LHS were Lex Casseday (145), Ethan Haskiell (182) and Markel Scott (132).
“Ethan [Haskiell] has started to display knowledge of good wrestling techniques and skills,” said Oren. “For a first-year wrestler, Ethan shows a promising future.”
Destin Henderson (120) and Jordan Milton (160) went 3-2 each to win bronze.
At Northumberland on December 17, 10 LHS wrestlers went unbeaten at 3-0 including T. Wilmore, A. Wilmore, Bennett, Casseday, Henderson, Lee, O’Bier, Rhodes, Uhler and Brendon Walker (170).
Markel, Milton and Zeiler picked up two wins each.
Lancaster will be on the road this Saturday, January 4, for a tournament at Mathews High School.
