Oklahoma Teams Start Fast

At Wildcat Duals Tournament

— Two teams from Oklahoma are the top seeds entering the second day of the Wildcat Duals Wrestling Tournament at Springdale Har-Ber.

Today’s Ticket

Wildcat Duals Wrestling Tournament

WHEN: Today beginning at 9 a.m.

WHERE: Wildcat Arena, Springdale Har-Ber

TICKETS: $5 adults; $4 students.

NOTABLE: Seventeen teams will be seeded for today’s second round, which will begin at 9 a.m. The format is now double-elimination after the event began with pool play and three separate brackets.

Defending tournament champion Edmond (Okla.) Sante Fe and Blackwell, Okla. each won all four of their dual matches Friday in pool play to earn the top seeds. The 17-team tournament switches to a double-elimination format today when the action begins at 9 a.m. Sante Fe is the top seed after compiling the most points, including an 84-0 victory over the Greenwood B team, all on pins.

Har-Ber went 3-1 Friday with its only loss a 64-12 defeat to Lebanon, Mo. Har-Ber will receive an opportunity to avenge its defeat with a rematch with Lebanon at 9 a.m. Har-Ber will wrestle again at 10:30 a.m. if it loses and at noon if it wins.

Har-Ber, Fayetteville and Springdale High are competing in the tournament against teams from as far away as Tennessee and Texas. Sante Fe won the inaugural Wildcat Dual and finished in the top 12 in Oklahoma’s Class 6A last year.

“We really like the format of a dual meet tournament and the competition here is very good,” Sante Fe coach Tim Draper said. “There’s a lot of matches and it’s a really efficient tournament. It’s kind of a bonding trip for us with the guys and we enjoy coming over to compete in this event.”

SPRINGDALE HAR-BER

Har-Ber began the day with a 64-12 loss to Lebanon, Mo. then bounced back with a 45-36 victory over Carroll High of Southlake, Texas.

Heavyweight Ty Harrison went 4-0, including a quick pin during Har-Ber’s 57-15 victory over Branson, Mo. Friday in the final match of the day.Har-Ber also defeated Greenwood 60-11.

Har-Ber is the defending state champion in Class 7A/6A.

“Our guys went out there and battled and we learned a lot,” Har-Ber coach Nika West said. “We can still do better but we live by one phrase; ‘all this is just a rehearsal for the state tournament’. Where we’re at right now doesn’t matter. We could be on top of the world right now and finish dead last come February (at the state tournament).”

SPRINGDALE

Springdale had a rough day on Friday while losing all four of its matches. Even defending state champion Joey Adams (113 pounds) suffered his first defeat after beginning the season 15-0.

“This is just one of those things where you learn from the losses and try to get better,” Springdale coach Jamie Stallings said. “We’re seeing some of the best competition we’ll see all year, so it’s great experience for our kids.”

FAYETTEVILLE

Fayetteville won three of four dual matches on Friday, including a 49-20 victory over Fort Smith Southside. The Bulldogs also beat Branson, Mo. and lost to Sante Fe, the defending champions.

“We’re dealing with many types of competition but, overall, I think we’re coming together pretty well,” Fayetteville coach Steve Adair said. “Sam Goll (170 pounds) is a senior who’s showing a lot of dedication and really doing well this year.”

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