By Kevin Cunningham
Correspondent
The Whitewater High School wrestling team hosted its final dual home meet of the season, facing Evansville. The Blue Devils, despite being away from home, went into Whitewater and exited with a victory.
“The Blue Devils of Evansville were in town and they showed why they are the team to beat in not only the Rock Valley Conference but in their team section as well, handing Whitewater a decisive loss,” Whippet head coach John Schimming said after the meet on Jan. 12. “On the mat, the Whippet wrestlers competed and did not back down to the Blue Devils, it was just a situation where they are a better team at this point with some outstanding upperclassmen up and down their lineup.”
The Blue Devils may have won, but the head coach said the most exciting match of the night involved Tommy Cushman. At the end of each period in Cushman’s match, the score was tied.
The even scoring throughout needed an overtime to decide the match and Cushman took full advantage, securing a takedown early in the period.
“As a coach stated, he has not heard it that loud in the gym in a long time as fans were very excited for Tommy achieving that hard fought victory,” Schimming said.
Thomas McManaway also won his match for the Whippets, 7-2. Schimming said Tyler Sheffield won his match with an impressive pin. He said Sheffield had one of his best matches of the season, securing takedowns.
Jimmy DuVal added another victory for Whitewater with a 14-3 win. The team’s next time competing on the mats will be at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 21 at Monroe High School in an invitational featuring eight other teams.
