The gym is quiet. All are in anticipation of what is to come. All of a sudden, the harmonized trumpet intro to “Theme of the 2001; A Space Odyssey” sounds, and the Albany High wrestling team emerges into the gym accompanied by the spirit-driving song, “Eye of the Tiger.” The crowd cheers as the warm-up suit-wearing wrestlers jog and stretch around the circumference of the large circle inscribed on the mat. A few more songs pass, and once Albany is done warming up, their varsity wrestlers line up on one side of the mat, and face the opposing Arroyo wrestlers on the other side. After announcing each individual match, the meet begins.
The Cougars came out steam rolling. Ten of their 14 wrestlers won, beating worn-out Arroyo 52-17. Senior Lucais Wallen (215 lbs.) said, “It was a good way to start, but I think the team can do better. We should always be trying to win 84-0.” Eighty-four to zero is the highest score possible at any wrestling meet (14 players per team, 6 team points for ever pin, do the math).
Out of the 10 winners, freshman Simon Leeman (103 lbs.), senior Daniel Singh (125 lbs.), senior Taylor Raphael (130 lbs.), senior Tarek Walley (171 lbs.), sophomore Andrew Reggi (189 lbs.), senior Lucais Wallen (215 lbs.), and senior Matt Malanche (285 lbs.) had pins. The other wins were by points. Junior Daryn Singh (112 lbs.) won 14-2, junior Zach James (140 lbs.) won 7-1, and Senior Patrick Delaney (152 lbs.) won 6-4.
The Cougars will host a three-team meet next week on Tuesday, December 11 against Oakland Tech and McClymonds. If anyone wants to see some old-fashioned butt kicking, then come support your Albany Cougars.
Albany wrestling FTW!
is too raw this year…9 time league champs this year in a row and more to come…
Go Cougars old school mat rat
i love that song
who made this song ? they must be a pro