On December 4, the Hamilton Southeastern Royals went against the Avon Orioles for a heated varsity wrestling dual match in their home gym. The atmosphere was charged as fans filled the stands to cheer on the teams. Both teams showcased their skills and determination on the mat, making for a competitive and adrenaline-fueled dual.
The night was far from uneventful for the Royals, finishing with a score of 42-14, losing to the Orioles, who are currently 4th in the state. The crowd erupted with cheers and screams; the noise was vast enough that it drowned out even the announcer’s calls.
“There’s so much tension in a wrestling meet, and with the new scoring system, the points can swing so quickly,” Courtney Lawhead, parent of wrestler Evan Lawhead, said. “It’s very quiet at times and then very loud, but you can feel the tension the whole time. I would say the reactions are very real; you can feel a lot of hushed emotions and then really loud emotions, … so it’s crazy, but the atmosphere is good, quiet and loud, all at once.”
Junior Parker Culp began the dual with an impressive Tech Fall, showcasing his skills and determination as he secured 5 points for the Royals. His performance stood out because he was the lone athlete on the team to earn bonus points. For those who do not know what bonus points are in wrestling, essentially, they are awarded for wins that exceed the usual three points granted for a decision. Although Culp started the night on a high note, the pressure did not lessen in the following matches.
“I had the excitement of winning in front of the home crowd,” junior William Lakes said. “Then the buzzer went off, and at the very last second, I felt crushed with a close loss.”
The stress was evident, as the parents’ loud reactions mirrored the intensity of the matches. Matthew Billet, Chris Casler, Jett Sottong, Cohen Davis, AW Vankirk and William Lakes all took a loss against Avon. Parker Culp, Landon Hicks and Evan Lawhead were the Royals’ scoring athletes.
Tomorrow, the Royals take on Westfield away. If the crowd was anything like this meet, prepare for blood, sweat and tears.
