WCMS grapplers take on Blackman, David Lipscomb

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Warren County’s J.J. Vanloo gets the upper hand on David Lipscomb’s Jordan Fox during Saturday’s tri-match. Vanloo eventually lost to Fox, but came back against Blackman to score a pinfall victory over Austin Black. (Dale Stubblefield photo)

Warren County Middle School’s wrestlers played host to a three-way match on Saturday, taking on David Lipscomb and Blackman.

The Pioneers suffered a tough loss against Lipscomb, falling 52-30. WCMS’s only points came via forfeits, as Lipscomb was unable to fill several weight classes.

“This is the second week that we have come out flat, and that is my fault,” said Pioneer coach Mike Droese. “That is something that we can fix.”

Slater Parks was one of the few bright spots against Lipscomb, as he suffered a hard-fought loss to Lipscomb’s Jim Hillin.

Taking on Blackman, the Pioneers once again came up short on the team scoreboard, losing 54-30, but turned in several strong performances against a perennially tough squad.

“I consider Blackman to be one of the top four teams in our conference,” Droese said, “and even though we didn’t win, we fought our hearts out, and we will build on that.”

WCMS began the match with a pair of victories, as the undefeated duo of 185-pounder Taylor Bain and heavyweight Scott Murphy scored quick pinfalls. Other winners included Beck Spurlock, who pinned Thor Bess in the 99-pound class, and J.J. Vanloo, who downed Austin Black by pinfall in the 91-pound division.

The Pioneers return to action this weekend, when they will travel to Hendersonville to compete in the “Buc Wild” tournament. The tourney is hosted by Beech High School.