ONE FEATHER STAFF REPORT
The Cherokee Braves wrestling team took third place out of nine schools overall in the Chief Osley B. Saunooke Wrestling Tournament held at Cherokee High School on Dec. 18, 2010. With 97 total points, the Braves secured the third spot and the top spot among Smoky Mountain Conference Schools. Pisgah won the tournament with 223 points followed by Mitchell in second place with 151.5 points.
Cherokee’s top wrestler in the tournament was Levi Swearengin who went 3-0 on the day and earned 24 points in the 119lb division with pins over Austin Curtis (Swain), Darren McKinney (Mitchell) and Davis Arrendondo (Pisgah).
Tavi Rivera was named the “Most Outstanding Wrestler” in the tournament. Wrestling in the 160lb. division, he went 3-0 and earned 19 points for his team with pins over T. Ellis (Swain) and Reed Carver (Smoky Mountain) and a decision over P. Stone (Asheville School).
Will Bird, 189lb. division, also went 3-0 and earned 19 points with pins over C. Wiegold (Hayesville) and J. Terrel (Pisgah) and a decision over P. Buchanan (Mitchell).
Other Braves wrestlers included:
– Thomas Lossiah, 135lb., 1-2 record; pinned Russell Bigmeat (Swain), lost by decision to T. Mattingly (Pisgah) and D. Rowe (Mitchell)
– Colby Yanez, 140lb., 2-1 record; pinned Zach Burson (Andrews), won by decision over D. Allen (Swain) and lost in overtime by decision to D. Bownan (Mitchell)
– Wesley Long, 145lb., 1-2 record; won by decision over Zach Mason (Smoky Mountain), lost by decision to A. Phillips (Pisgah) and T. Beldon (Swain)
– John Roper, 171lb., 2-1 record; won by decision over D. Ledford (Mitchell) and Tim Woodard (Swain) and was pinned by T. Smalling (Pisgah)
– Michael Montelongo, 275lb., 1-2 record; pinned Austin Rickard (Hendersonville) and was pinned by Bo Henson (Pisgah) and Colby Deitz (Smoky Mountain)
Full team results are as follows: Pisgah 223, Mitchell 151.5, Cherokee 97, Swain 80, Hendersonville 51, Andrews 35, Smoky Mountain 27, Hayesville 22, and Asheville School 16.
