A short-handed Archbishop Murphy still put up a good fight against Jackson in the annual Battle of Mill Creek wrestling clash.
The Timberwolves prevailed 37-32 in the non-conference match Dec. 7 at Jackson High School, but the Wildcats had some solid performances.
“It was a good battle,” Archbishop Murphy head coach Blaine Smith said. “By January we’ll have everybody back on the mat, eligible and ready to go. We should field a full lineup. That’s the way it goes. They were the better team tonight.”
The Wildcats did not field wrestlers in three weight classes, though one of them was a double forfeit.
Archbishop Murphy winners included Cam Wade (15-0 decision over Daniel Pavlakos at 125 pounds), Taylor Baehm (18-2 decision over Brennan Sanchez at 130), Caleb Smith (10-1 decision over Micah Beasley at 140), Brad Gee (1:41 pin over Nicholas Hudson), Keagan Kruse (5:06 pin over Timothy St. Marie) and Jeremy Wattam (3:06 pin over Adam Nijem).
“We’re coming along,” Smith said. “I think that we’re still a small team and when you’re a small team if somebody is sick or hurt then you’re forfeiting. I think we’re competitive. Three years ago (Jackson) would have blown us off the map and now we can compete with them. So that’s a good thing for us. It’s a nice friendly rivalry. We look forward to them coming to our place next year.”
Gee agrees that the Archbishop Murphy program has made significant progress.
“We only have three seniors. The rest are underclassmen,” said Gee, a sophomore. “Since I’ve been here the team has come up so much. It’s phenomenal.”
Added Wattam, “There’s a lot of talent among the underclassmen.”
Wattam and Miller, along with Zeke Evers, advanced to the Class 2A state tournament last season. Smith is hoping that those three, along with Gee and perhaps a couple more Wildcats, will make the trip to the Tacoma Dome.
Kruse had a solid season at 215 and is moving up a weight class. His match on Friday was the first of the season.
“I think he’ll do well at 285,” Smith said.
Gee took first at the district championships but couldn’t move to state because of academic issues. His goal is to end his season in the Tacoma Dome.
“I’m really healthy. My grades are good,” Gee said. “I’ve got to keep in shape and get ready for the big stuff.”
As a freshman, Wattam won his first match at state but then lost his next two.
“I’m hoping to place at state, possibly in the top five,” Wattam said of his goals for the season.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
