The season opener for the Madill Wildcat wrestling team did not go well on December 10, 2020. In a dual meet with the Plainview Indians, the Wildcats lost 45-11.
Even though Head Coach Jim Love had the look of frustration after the match was completed, he still applauded his team.
“The effort of the young wrestlers was good,” Love said but, also noted they need a lot of work to improve.
One of the bright spots for the Wildcats was the pin by Griffon Williams over Tyler Owen with 1:16 to go in the second period. However, a team point was taken away when Williams did not allow the referee to award the win properly to Williams. Williams abruptly pulled away from the referee prior to being declared the victor in the heavyweight match, which completed the dual.
Colby Sandefur got a forfeit victory at 152 pounds. That was the first points of the night for the Wildcats and made the score, Plainview 27-6.
For the Wildcats, that would turn out to be the only scoring during the contest, until Williams faced Owen in the final bout of the night. The final score would have been 45-12, but due to Williams not allowing the official to declare him the victory at the center of the mat, a team point was deducted.
Madill gave up forfeits in the 119, 126, 132, and 182 weight classes. However, both schools were not able to field wrestlers in the 106, 138, 160 and 170 weight classes.
The team just got back several wrestlers who were out due to COVID symptoms. The team was scheduled to wrestle in the Durant tournament, but it was cancelled.
Instead, the Wildcats will travel to Ada on Thursday, for a dual match with the Cougars.