The Woodford County High School wrestling team was runner-up in the sectional duals Tuesday, Jan. 15 at WCHS. Oldham County won the sectional’s No. 1 seed by beating the Mat Jackets. Woodford qualified for the state dual championship at Lindsay Wilson College Jan. 26.
“We competed and did well, but we didn't have the fire we need in the finals," said WCHS Coach Rusty Parks. "We now go in unseeded to the state dual championships so we will have to fight and claw for everything we get. Tonight was a good test for us, and if we win those 50/50 matches, we probably win. Dylan Preston was huge for us tonight; he beat the number 4 and 7 kids in the state tonight. We need to get back in the wrestling room and get in shape, so we don't tire in the third period."
The Mat Jackets dominated South Oldham in the semifinals, 61-13. Gavin Andreoni led off the Jackets off with a third-period pin over Jordan Wells. It was Andreoni's first match of the season after a long recovery from a shoulder injury. Jon Pittman pinned Alex Hall, and Dylan Preston won by major decision over Anthony Pierce to give Woodford a 16-0 lead.
Ronan Wyatt returned to the WCHS lineup with a 9-4 win over Chas Fudold. Triston Brooks pinned Andrew Archibald, and Jackson Geilear won by forfeit and increased Woodford's lead to 37-0.
DJ Bernabe lost by decision to Mason Hall, 7-1, but Tony Ornelas, Ashley Courtney, and Jeremiah Shulze all won by forfeit. Joey Miele pinned Trent Brown, and Connor Dutton lost 14-5 to Bryant Beane.
"It's a great feeling to be back in competition," said Wyatt. "It's my senior season, and I have four weeks left to finish strong. Right now we need more confidence, and if we believe in ourselves we can be great."
Woodford lost to Oldham County in the finals, 33-21. Pittman won the opening match by decision, 17-9 over Brandon Baucus. Dylan Preston won by decision over Carson Deckard, but CJ Cardwell lost 11-4 in his season debut to Gabe Jacobs.
"I think one of the biggest things we will take away from tonight is not to let the referee decide who wins the match," said Preston. "You have to be aggressive and take it to your opponent and not hope the ref's see the match your way. If you pin someone, you leave no doubt."
Wyatt Andreoni won 14-12 over Jakob Mclintick in a wild match that featured multiple penalties. The Jackets lost their next three matches in a row when Brooks lost by decision to Damien Calderon, Geilear lost by decision to Caleb Bergquist and Bernabe lost a 4-2 decision to Jackson Deckard. Tony Ornelas won by decision over Blake Fox, and Shulze lost by decision to Marc Varella. After another run of three straight losses, Woodford won the final two matches on a pin by Dutton and a win by decision for Gavin Andreoni.
"It felt great to be back on the mat tonight," said Gavin Andreoni. "I bumped up two weight classes for tonight, and I hope it helped me get ready for the bigger events that are coming."