(The PCMS Cougar wrestling team has seen much improvement and growth in numbers this season. The team is (front, from left) Caleb Flores, John Henry Osborne, Rachel Woodyard, Jehu Maxwell, Davis Hale, and Justice Easter. Second row: Dawson Coon, Ryley Worrell, Keelyn O’Reilly, Colon Wright, Jed Woodyard, AJ Robertson, and Sam Nolen. Third row: Coach Adam Abdelaziz, Steven Bolen, Memphis Dukes, Anius Slaughter, Daniel Eubanks, Brock Schneider, Kaden Duncan, and Coach Damion Fowlkes. Not Pictured: Lilly Brunner.)
Like most things currently in the Pulaski County Public School system, an emphasis on improvement and winning has led to some good things for the Pulaski County Middle School wrestling program.
The younger Cougars started the season off on the road with a longtime opponent. The middle school Cougars have not beaten Christiansburg in as far back as most people can remember, but all that changed as the Cougars defeated the Blue Demons 57-45 at Christiansburg.
“This was a big deal,” Cougar Head Coach Adam Abdelaziz said. “Christiansburg has been one of the top wrestling programs in our area for a long time, so to get a win against them is a huge deal for us. Our kids have been working very hard and our numbers have grown. We need those numbers to help get the numbers up at the high school level as well.”
That success has motivated the younger Cougars, who have went on to win several other matches. At a meet in Radford, the Cougars defeated Galax 48-36 and Radford 72-18. This week, the Cougars hosted and beat Scott Memorial 72-16 and Fort Chiswell 52-30.
”We’ve got a good mix of wrestlers in grades six through eight,” Coach Abdelaziz said. “They’ve all worked very hard and have shown a ton of improvement. We also have some young ladies who are wrestling, which will help build that for the high school also. The recent change that will set up the women’s divisions in the postseason will give some wrestlers a great chance to represent their schools at the district, region and state level in high school. It will also also bring more athletes into the sport, which is good for everyone.”
The Cougars will be back in action Monday, Dec. 12, when they travel to Scott Memorial. Tuesday, Dec. 13, they are scheduled to host Blacksburg. Wednesday, Dec. 14, will find the Cougars on the road at Galax High School. The final match of the season will be Thursday, Dec. 15, at home against Christiansburg.