Being back-to-back district champions is just one goal for the Pioneer wrestling team this winter. Warren County may have its sights set on much loftier titles though, especially with a loaded roster returning on the mat.

The strength of the Pioneers was on full display Tuesday in Cookeville. Warren County walloped Cumberland County and took down Cookeville’s B Team – one of two varsity-level squads fielded by the Cavaliers – during an action-packed evening. Both wins were 66-18 triumphs, while the Pioneers’ lone defeat against Cookeville’s A Team went down to a tiebreaker, 37-36.

“I think they had to go down the seventh or eighth criteria to declare a winner. It came down to which team scored first in the majority of the matches and, even then, I think they scored first eight times and we did six,” said coach Matt Turner. “It would’ve been nice to get that one and beat them for the first time in a long time, but I’m very proud of our team. We’re just now really starting to settle into our lineup.

“After our acclimation times and our wrestlers settle into the weight classes they’ll be in by the end of the year, we’ll be able to challenge for more titles this year.”

Warren County brought back all its stars from last year’s team and has added even more capable grapplers to its roster during the offseason. The Pioneers, for the first time in several years, is fielding a full lineup, allowing the team to compete with the best of the best on the mat.

“This is the first time during my second stint as coach where we aren’t surrendering points. Even last year, when we had a really successful season, we were giving up 12-18 points a night. Now we’re able to field full lineups and go two-deep at a lot of weight classes. Wrestling in Warren County is at a very high level right now and it’s not going to slow down anytime soon,” said Turner.

In the biggest showdown of the night – an epic clash of the top Pioneers and top Cavaliers – it was a battle for every single point in each weight class. Aiden Lindsay, a state qualifier last year as a freshman, got the Pioneers their first points with a pin win in the 120-pound weight class.

Matthew Hicks followed with a pin in the first round at 126 pounds, while Sabastien Smith (150 pounds) and Raul Manus (157 pounds) also got six points for the Pioneers with pinfall victories.

By the time Seth Lindsay was able to earn a 6-0 decision in the 165-pound battle, the teams were tied 27-27 with four weight classes to go.

Cookeville followed with a pin and a 7-3 victory in the 190-pound division to gain nine valuable points, but the Pioneers wouldn’t go away. Senior PJ Truax smashed Ethan Barnes down early in the second round in the 215-pound weight class, getting six big points back for Warren County.

With all eyes on the heavyweight division, JR Mares sealed in the tie with a 4-1 decision over Skylar Pleasant. Only after several tiebreakers were exhausted did Cookeville gain an extra point to take home a win.

“In hindsight, you start thinking about how we just needed one thing in several different matches to change to win, but we’ll get another chance against them in a couple of weeks. We’ll be able to adjust our lineup and should be ready for another great battle against them soon,” said Turner.

The victory against Cumberland County was a complete domination for the Pioneers. Manus and Seth Lindsay set the tone with pin wins in 44 and 52 seconds, respectively. Keel, Truax, Jakoby Odineal, Jaylen Clayton, Cedric Young and River Stephens followed with quick pins in the first round, while Smith and Cash Stephens won by pin early in the second round. Aiden Lindsey also picked up six points by forfeit at 120 pounds. 

Odindeal, Clayton, Aiden, Hick, Stephens, Smith, Manus, Seth, Keel, Mares and Xavier Simmons were all winners in the Cookeville B matchup as well.

Warren County has also added female wrestlers this year and they were able to get a taste of success Tuesday. Marley Harris was 2-0 on the night, winning one match by forfeit and the other in just 11 seconds. Allison Sweatman also got her hand raised against Cookeville, while Zoe Curtis and Lily Moore each got pins against Cumberland County. 

Local fans can see the WCHS wrestling teams in action at home next week against Siegel. Action against the Stars is set for Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.