Millbrook wrestling
Millbrook 103-pounder Brett Burton tightens his grip on Wakefield's Zach Koehler Wednesday. Burton scored a fall in the second period.
Wildcat wrestlers wreak
havoc at Wakefield
Momentum is supposed to be one of those unmeasurable elements of sports lore. It's fleeting, often hard to define and in no way quantifiable.
Yet during the Millbrook wrestling team's dominating 73-6 victory at Wakefield Wednesday, Dec. 16, you could see it and feel it.
The Wildcats were on a tear, and the Wolverines didn't stand a chance.
Click here for highlights of the Wakefield/Millbrook wrestling match Dec. 16.
Starting with 112-pounder Keegan Sykes' first-period pin — recorded in 33 seconds — Millbrook rattled off 12 consecutive victories, and 13 for the evening.Of the Wildcats' baker's dozen wins, 11 came by pinfall — eight of them in the first period.
According to Millbrook wrestling coach Scott Saby, the Wildcats kept their competitiveness throughout the match — which has been a key point made by the coaching staff this season.
"One thing we have been working on is making sure we bring intensity to our matches," he said. "So far, we have been able to feed off of each other. One guy goes out and does well, the next guy is thinking, 'Well, it's my turn.' And that's a good thing.
"Whoever steps on the mat for us, we want to have an even performance. Win or loss."
Following Sykes' victory, Brandon Harris (119), Winston Norton (130), Henry Zaremba (135), Nick LaScala (140), Daymon Hughes (145), Ty Graham (160), Jacob Farrell (171), Matt Aronowitz (189) and Brett Burton (103) earned pinfall wins.
Sykes, Zaremba and Hughes all won in less than a minute.
Millbrook's Mark Hamilton (119) and Dave Brumbaugh (152) also posted victories by decision.
Wakefield heavyweight Devan Caldwell prevailed a shutout, scoring the Wolverines' lone victory — and fall — defeating Caleb High. But it came in the night's 13th bout, and the celebration was tampered by its preceding events.
Asked to highlight one match, Saby singled out Aronowitz's victory over Wakefield senior Caleb Killion, a state-qualifier last year.
"Caleb's a good kid, he's a good wrestler, and Matt came out fired up to face him tonight," the coach said. "Matt was able to get a cement mixer, get some back points early and finished with a cradle, and that was impressive."
Wakefield heavyweight Devan Caldwell (back) works for position against Millbrook's Caleb High.
Because of his success last year, Killion has drawn his opponents' best efforts the first two weeks of the conference schedule. (He fell to Sanderson's Marcus Felton 5-2 Dec. 16.)
But both Saby and Sanderson coach Jeremy Barefoot explain it's a sign of respect their wrestlers have gotten up for Killion, and they expect big things from the Wolverine as the season gets further along.
Having knocked off Broughton 69-11 in its league opener Dec. 9, Millbrook has now posted two straight impressive wins, and looks to be a force in the league.
Saby explains his program success begins with a solid group of upperclassmen who have paved the way for his young wrestlers this winter.
"We have some guys that have been on the team for a few years — some veterans — and they have all worked hard in the summer and they want to do well," he said. "That's helped bridge the gap for our younger guys. That work ethic has carried over to them."
While Millbrook's Cap-7 counterparts Leesville Road, Sanderson and Wakefield head to the WRAL Invitational at Athens Drive Friday and Saturday, the Wildcats are headed to the Eagle Invitational in Mebane.
Following the holiday break, Millbrook returns to action in the Southern Scuffle in Greensboro Dec. 30
