Richmond Hill High School

'Mat Cats' earn trip to state tourney

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The Richmond High School wrestling team defeated Baldwin and Burke County during the Jan.9-10 Region 3-AAA duals tournament at West Laurens High School. In doing so, the Wildcats have advanced to the state wrestling tournament, which is a first for RHHS.

The only team that beat the Cats at the tourney was former state champs West Laurens, who pulled out a 51-28.

"And we beat everyone else by about the same score," said Assistant Coach Rick Bond. "We scored at least 50 points against everyone; no one scored more than 28 points against us."

Bond filled in for Head Coach Adam Moret at the region meet, who was by his wife’s side while she delivered a healthy baby girl. Bond and Moret have coached the team since its inception three years ago.

This is only the second year of being a varsity program, and Bond said it is an almost unbelievable accomplishment to be headed to state as a team so soon. Last year, seven individual wrestlers made it to state, including a 145 pound region championship win for John Phifer.

Bond said the most surprising thing about the strong showing at region was the unexpected rise of many wrestlers who had not previously been in the limelight.

"Of course Zach Sheffield won all his matches and all our top guys remained on top," Bond said. "But there were some pleasant surprises too. One hundred twenty five-pounder James Berry won all his matches. Two hundred fifteen-pounder Dylan Lyle won all his matches. Heavyweight Josh Bryant won all his matches. It was the unknown element that came through and gave this team a bolstering push into the state meet."

Bond said he and Moret couldn’t be prouder of the program right now.

"All the kids did an outstanding job," Bond said. "When Adam and I started this thing three years ago, we didn’t have it within our wildest dreams to think we could make it to state in duals in just the second year of our varsity program."

Earlier that week, the Mat Cats advanced to 8-1 in duals competition with overwhelming victories over Johnson and Savannah Country Day.

"The last time I looked, Johnson was second in 5-A competition, so this was just one more sign that we’re doing something right."

The senior Wildcat wrestlers presented Principal Charles Spann with their winning trophy on Tuesday, to be put on display at the school.

"I’m highly impressed with these kids and this program – achieving this much in a such a short period of time," Spann said. "I attribute it to their commitment, motivation and the guidance and leadership of Coach Moret and Coach Bond."

The state meet is this Friday and Saturday, Jan. 16-17, in Macon. RHHS will face Columbus in the first round.