Pioneers slam Lincoln, Coffee

By ROB NUNLEY Sports Editor for the Southern Standard

Juan Guardado of the WCHS wrestling team controls his opponent during Tuesday?s match in Manchester.

The Warren County High School wrestling team opened its 2006-07 season Tuesday, sweeping a pair of opponents at Coffee County High School.

The Pioneers entered the matches against Lincoln County and the host squad from Manchester short-handed, and was forced to forfeit in four different weight classes due to several wrestlers out with illnesses. But handing the Falcons and Red Raiders 24 points each right out of the gate only kept the Pioneers? dominating performances from being complete blowouts on the scoreboard.

The Pioneers took the mat against Lincoln County first, and won nine weight classes by pinfall on their way to a 45-30 victory, meaning that apart from the forfeited classes, the Falcons achieved only six more points.

In their second match, WCHS dominated the home team 51-28, allowing just four actual points and winning eight more classes by pinfall.

Pioneer coaches were very impressed with their team?s efforts and aggressive attitude.

?Each wrestler went out and set the tempo of the match,? coach Matt Turner said, ?They came out and dominated from start to finish.?