Clemente Wrestling Season Opens with Tri-Meet at Dunbar
Roberto Clemente’s 2015-2016 Wrestling team had its first match and it was a roar. To start things off, team captain Keontay Knox walked out on the mat along with referee Kenny Watkins and the captains from Kelly High School to go over some wrestling protocols, what weight to start at, and deciding who will be home and away. Clemente had a great wrestling season last year with head coach Pascolla, but now the former coach assistant Matthew Tolene now helms the title of Head Wrestling Coach and plans on carrying on the wildcat tradition of being competitive and academically-achieving student athletes.
Now to on to the action! Wrestling standout Charles Perdue, who has had great success as a freshman, is now 2-0 as a junior and has big plans for the season. Charles battled his opponents and found ways to pin both giving 6 points each time for the supporting wildcats. Brandon Espino also battled through tough opponents to eventually pin in the 2nd period. During the match, Brandon had to counter headlock attempts several times and although he is somewhat new to the sport, delivered on an appropriate counter every time to end up with positional advantage. Team captain Keontay Knox went 1-1 in this tri meet at Dunbar. Knox’s first match was up against a technical wrestler from Kelly who would not be denied. Knox fought hard but was pinned in the second period by a north-south head lock. In his next match, Knox rallied and executed technical stand-up offense, quick reverses on the mat, and a great single leg sweep to eventually pin his opponent.
Coach Tolene credits this first success to hard work and support from people like Assistant Coach Bailys. “Coach Bailys’s positive can-do attitude, consistent energy, and wrestling experience and coaching style brings Clemente Wrestling to a higher competitive level.” The season is still new and Clemente has many more wrestling matches to go. Come out and support our Clemente Wrestlers Friday, December 18th at Kelly High School.