Murphy – Bulldogs wrestling ended its dual meet regular season on a high note, both on and off the mat.
Murphy beat Hayesville 52-20, and the school was also able to honor three seniors with their own ceremony Friday night.
“That was a real good feeling,” head coach Mike Catuto said about being able to honor this year’s seniors. “I feel like they’ve earned it, especially those that have been wrestling for many years.
“I feel bad for the previous COVID seasons; some of them kind of got short-changed on a senior night and a regular wrestling season. We’re back to normal, we’re recognizing and celebrating seniors for their hard work all these years.”
Against the Yellow Jackets, Luke Hyde (126 pounds), Ashton Raxter (132) and Mason Cook (152) all won by fall, while Dalton Farmer (113) picked up a win by major decision. Jake Miller (106), Zach Kessler (138), Gabe Chastain (182) and Nathan Shaw (195) all won by forfeit. The Bulldogs finished the dual meet season with a 5-6 record, including Smoky Mountain Conference wins over both Hayesville and Cherokee.
Murphy has a shot to qualify for the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A Dual State Championships, but Catuto couldn’t say for sure whether he thought his team would be in the bracket. With that being the only potential dual meet opportunity left, there’s only tournaments remaining on the schedule.
That’s much different than a dual meet, Catuto said, as you can’t just prepare for one wrestler. It’s more about trusting in your preparation and being mentally tough when the time comes.
“For the tournament you don’t know,” he said, “it’s whoever won the other match, that’s who you wrestle. We need to be prepared to wrestle anybody.”
The team will participate in the James Orr Invitational at Robbinsville this weekend before competing in the Smoky Mountain Conference Championships at Robbinsville on Saturday, Jan. 21. From there it’s the 1A West Regional Championships at Mitchell High School on Friday, Feb, 10, with the top four wrestlers in each weight class heading to the state championship in Greensboro from Feb. 16-18.
Cook has the best postseason aspirations of any Bulldogs wrestler. He’s the No. 6 wrestler in the state in the 152-pound weight class, and No. 2 in the region.
“I feel like having Mason and Adam, the Cook boys at practice has really stepped our game up,” Catuto said. “We’ve had to be more intense.”