BY SCOTT POWER
The Woodland wrestling team pinned Cherokee 53-15 on Senior Night last Friday.

The Wildcats dominated the match with seven pins. That evening, Woodland recognized seniors Jovangte Luke, Johnathan Olivera and Champ Higdon.

“These seniors have been exceptional leaders and students of the sport,” Woodland Coach Brett Shedd said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to coach these fine young men and prepare them for their very bright futures. With everything that has happened from the head coach stepping down and graduating so many guys last year, I couldn’t be more proud of these men.”

Amari Kinnamore led off the match at 106 pounds with an early pinfall victory. Then Ayden Bucannon earned a third-period pinfall. Noah Gates won by forfeit, giving the Wildcats an early 18-0 lead.

Cherokee won a decision at 126, but the Wildcats came back with a pinfall win at 132 by Paul Lanier. Cherokee then won another decision and a pinfall to cut Woodland’s lead to 24-12.

Woodland then ran off five straight wins, four of them by pinfall. At 150 and 157, Zach Wallace and Christian Cothran both scored first-period pins and then at 165 Luke posted a decision win to put Woodland ahead 41-12.

Olvera, at 175, earned a second period pinfall and Higdon at 215 pinned his opponent in the first period. Cherokee won the final match of the night on a close decision, but the Wildcats still emerged with a 53-15 victory.