D-B tops undermanned Cyclones

By Ivan Sanders
Star Correspondent

   The motto that is used by the U.S. Marines could very well fit the Cyclone wrestling program: "We're looking for a few good men."
   Coach Bill Potter has been pleased with the performance of the young men who have sweated blood and tears to get prepared for this season. Yet, he realizes that the outcome of a majority of their matches may be out of proportion due to the fact several weight classes will suffer forfeits because there is no one to fill them.
   Such was the case against Dobyns-Bennett on Tuesday night in Kingsport as the Cyclones were defeated in a dual match by a score of 53-27. Take away the forfeits in the 103-119 and 145-152 pound classes, as well as the heavyweight class, and the deficit would have been only six points.
   "I am very happy with the way we have been wrestling," stated Coach Potter. "We have wrestled very evenly in the matches we've wrestled and the guys are learning every match. I have to give Ben Lee, my assistant wrestling coach, a lot of credit for the work he's done with the kids."
   Daniel Sochalski, who placed fifth in last week's Indian Classic on the same mats, took on a very tough Josh Bates in the 112 lb. class. Bates took the victory by a pin, but not before Sochalski pushed him to the limit for two periods.
   Sophomore John Ross was a wrestler on a mission in the 125 lb. class. Ross won 15-4 over a very strong D-B wrestler, Judd Salamat. "John came out and showed the capabilities he really possesses," added Potter. "He wrestled extremely well for us. I am really proud of him."
   Ross's brother, Andy, also had a good night as he recorded a pin in the second period against his opponent in the 130 lb. division. In the 135 lb. match, Patrick Jenkins squared off against a familiar opponent in D-B's McMacken. The outcome was the same with McMacken taking a 5-4 decision over Jenkins in a very tight-knit match.
   "Patrick wrestled a top quality opponent and he wrestled him very even," Potter quipped. "They will definitely see each other again down the road, and Patrick will be ready for him."
   Freshman Mitchell Cornett was defeated by a pin fall to his D-B opponent, who placed in the regions last year in the 140-weight class. Cyclone senior Josh Fair wasted little time in defeating his opponent in the 160 lb. class with a first-period pin.
   Aaron Brown, in the 171 class, and Bryan Bradshaw, wrestling in the 189 class, were defeated by their respectful opponents, but each gave it a Titan effort as they gave the Indian wrestlers all they could handle.
   "We have a very tough early season schedule with Border Wars coming up, matches next week against Greenville and Jefferson Co., a tournament at Bradley County, and a match in Greensboro, N.C. the first of January," stated Potter. "We want to wrestle the best to prepare us for district, regional and state competition. That's the way you get better is by wrestling the best."
   Potter only hopes that some young men who want to become stronger, conditioned athletes will sign up to fill the open slots the Cyclones have. Even if he could fill two or three, the match outcomes should be a lot closer.