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Martin hopes to fire up WCHS wrestling
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If new Warren County High School wrestling coach Stephen Martin ever wants to turn up the heat on his team, all he’ll need to do is break out his old routine in the ring.
Martin, also known as Lord Frost in his professional wrestling career, has brought his 20-year background to Pioneer wrestling as he took over the program from longtime coach Matt Turner over the offseason.
Martin is a blast from the past for the Pioneers as he returns for the 20th year of the program’s history. Martin was on the original team in 1992-93 and he made history during his two-year wrestling career in Warren County.
Martin was the first wrestler from Warren County to qualify for the state tournament, as he and Bo Ramsey both went to the state in 1994. Martin punched his ticket in the heavyweight division 10 minutes before Ramsey and forever linked his name to the program.
While Martin has a prolific background in high school wrestling, his 17-year career as Lord Frost in professional wrestling has piqued the interest of his team.
Martin was best known for his entrance, where he breathes fire on his way to the ring. Fire is something Martin incorporated over the years after starting his career in 1995 around Halloween.
Some of the highlights in Martin’s career, which has taken him around the country for events, include doing a program with King Kong Bundy of WWE fame and meeting fellow McMinnville professional wrestler Duke “The Dumpster” Droese.
Martin also wrestled locally at Jake’s Auction with James Storm, who now stars in TNA wrestling.
While some of the Pioneers know of Martin’s forays in the squared circle, Martin won’t become Lord Frost in practices or for matches. Martin has also ruled out incorporating steel chairs, leg drops and flying elbows.
Although the professional wrestling gimmicks do not mix with high school wrestling, Martin has brought in many of the training methods he has used throughout his career. Martin feels his team has embraced the training.
“I’ve brought in some of the conditioning drills I’ve trained with and used throughout the years, things I don’t feel like some of the more traditional coaches would use,” said Martin. “They’re very stressful and force the guys to use their minds while they’re exhausted. When they’re in the final round and tired, I want them to still be thinking their way through the match.
“The boys have really responded to them and I think they enjoy them.”
While Martin has made it a point to not mix the two genres for the most part, the team has discussed having a fundraising event.
Until then, the Pioneers will have to settle for a coach with a decorated wrestling career and a tie to the 20-year history of the program. He can breathe fire too.

WCHS baseball, softball compete in weekend tournaments
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One day after a close home win over Cumberland County Thursday night, the Warren County baseball team was back on the road for a weekend tournament slate. Taking part in the Viking Classic, the Pioneers went 2-2 across Friday and Saturday’s contests.

Kicking things off against Huntland at Tullahoma High School Friday evening, Warren County notched its third straight victory with a 4-3 decision over the Hornets.

Sam Robinson had three of the team’s eight hits. Ryder Gilispie followed with two. Tyler Adams, Jerren Harris and Keaton Rowe each added one hit.

Gilispie and Harris were both credited with one RBI each.

Adams, Robinson, Gilispie and Adrian Harris each scored one run.

On the mound, Miguel Garcia pitched four innings, finishing with four strikeouts, two hits, three runs and four walks. Keagan Thompson followed for two innings, striking out two.

In the nightcap, the Pioneers were held scoreless in an 8-0 shutout against the host Wildcats. Robinson had Warren County’s lone hit of the game.

Hayven Jones pitched 1.1 innings, recording one strikeout, four hits, seven runs and two walks. Jerren Harris came on for 2.2 innings, finishing with two hits, one run and four walks.

Back in action for day two of the tournament at Cascade High School, the Pioneers bounced back with a 9-8 win over the host Champions Saturday morning.

The team finished with nine hits, led by Adams and Robinson with two each. Gilispie, Jerren Harris, Adrian Harris, Woogs Bryan and Corban Felton all added one.

Bryan led the team in RBI with four of its eight. Gilispie, Felton, Jerren Harris and Brady Norris each brought in one.

Jaytton Baker went 3.1 innings on the bump, striking out five and coming off with eight hits and five runs. Lealon Arnold followed for 1.2 innings, striking out one and adding two hits and three runs. Gilispie pitched for one inning and recorded two strikeouts and one hit.

Closing out the weekend against Alabama’s Heritage Christian, Warren County came out on the losing end of a 14-6 contest. At the plate, Jerren Harris led the way with two of the team’s eight hits. Adams, Gilispie, Bryan, Felton, Adrian Harris and Evan Snapp all followed with one each.

The Pioneers posted four RBI, with two each for Adams and Snapp.

Snapp had two of the team’s six runs, with one each for Adams, Gilispie, Felton and Jones.

Braden Whinnery pitched 2.2 innings, striking out four and surrendering seven hits, five runs and one walk. Rowe followed for 0.2 innings, adding four hits and five runs. Up next was Keagan Thompson, who went one inning and came off with five hits and four runs. Daylen Holguin wrapped up the day, striking out one and allowing one hit over 0.2 innings.

WCHS softball goes 1-3 through weekend

The Lady Pioneers got their Southern Warrior Classic schedule started with a game against Summertown Friday evening, a matchup in which they fell 10-1.

Warren County finished with six hits, with two each for Ky Damon, Lola Wells and Kaydence Wiser.

Wiser had a home run in the top of the fourth inning for the team’s lone run.

In the circle, Ceilee Gudat pitched 3.1 innings and finished with one strikeout, nine hits, 10 runs and two walks. Kyaira Sharpe followed for the game’s remainder, closing out the last 0.2 innings.

The Lady Pioneers were again bested in their second Friday night game, falling 10-2 to Moline (Ill.).

Wells led the Warren County hitting effort with two of the team’s six. Damon, Callie Roberts, Cortlyn Porter and Ali Young each added one.

Wells and Lily Rains had one run each.

Ruby Denning had one strikeout and gave up eight hits, 10 runs and three walks across all four innings.

The Lady Pioneers had better luck in their Saturday morning opener, flying ahead with an 11-run fifth inning to take down Illinois’s Oswego East 15-9.

Warren County racked up 12 hits over the course of the game, with two each for Rains, Wells, Sharpe, Porter and Addison Smith. This included home runs for both Wells and Smith. Damon and Young both added one hit each.

Smith led the Lady Pioneers in RBI with four of their 15, followed by Sharpe with three. Rains and Wells both had two RBI. Damon, Wiser, Porter and Young all tacked on one.

Sharpe pitched the first four innings and came out with 13 hits, nine runs and two walks. Denning added one hit across one inning.

Warren County was unable to duplicate this in their final game of the weekend later that afternoon, falling 3-2 to Stewarts Creek.

The team notched six hits, with two each for Rains and Porter. Damon and Wiser both added one hit.

Rains had the Lady Pioneers’ lone RBI.

On the rubber, Gudat pitched all five innings, striking out three and finishing the day with five hits, three runs and one walk.