Before they even take the match for their first competition, the Catawba Ridge wrestling team is starting off with a loss to this season.
The Copperheads were supposed to open the season Dec. 16 against South Pointe, but because of the coronavirus, they won’t be able to wrestle any the first week of their season missing their season opener and the Milltown Duals at Fort Mill High. Currently, their first match will be at home Dec. 21 against Lancaster.
Head coach Handley “Scooter” Weathers said the season looked promising until COVID-19 hit the program.
“Things looked promising until COVID came along, but everyone is in the same way,” he said. “The guys had been working hard and pushing each other.”
Catawba Ridge returns all their wrestlers from last season and has 23 on the roster, which is led by the lone senior and first ever state qualifier in RJ Lincoln. The roster includes six freshmen as well to go with four sophomores and six juniors. Lincoln will most likely wrestle at 195 pounds whenever the season actually starts.
“I want him (Lincoln) to get to the state tournament again,” Weathers said. “He has some unfinished business to take care of.”
Catawba Ridge also has its first ever female wrestler in freshman Amaya Neal this year.
Like in other sports, only the top two teams in the region will make the playoffs. The Copperheads are in Region 3-4A this year and will have stronger competition against South Pointe and York.
“We are in a tough region,” Weathers said.
If Catawba Ridge can regroup from this early set back in the season, they won’t wrestle until Jan. 2 as part of the Metrolina Warriors Dual tournament Jan. 6 in Indian Trail. The Copperheads don’t have many home matches this season as they will host York Jan. 6 and then Metrolina Jan. 26. They are scheduled to wrestle Nation Ford Jan. 16.
Their region tournament will be held Feb. 6 at South Pointe with state dual playoffs starting Feb. 13. The state dual championship is Feb. 20 with the individual Upper State tournament being Feb. 26-27 and the state tournament being March 5-6.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
