On the mat Pilot Point wrestling season starts
The Pilot Point Bearcats wrestling team hit the mat for the first time this season, participating in their opening dual at Whitesboro on Nov. 12.
Multiple schools took part in the event, with Pilot Point competing in matches with both Whitesboro and Gainesville.
“I'm just really proud of how hard they competed and how they represented Pilot Point today,” head wrestling coach Reed Eichenberger said. “This was a starting point, so it gave us a lot to think about, work on and build from, but the effort and the toughness they showed are going to take them a long way as they start to add skill and technique to that.”
Pilot Point’s initial roster had 12 members on the team, but only 8 wrestlers made the trip to Whitesboro because of illness and prior obligations.
The short-handed team fought hard but took backto- back team losses against Whitesboro and Gainesville.
Despite the slow start, Eichenberger said he was encouraged by what he saw from his squad’s first time on the mat.
“There were a ton of positives,” he said. “The number one thing was the effort and the toughness that we showed out there. We saw a lot of guys doing things that they've worked on in the limited practices we’ve had. They were out there trying something brand new, giving tremendous effort and being tough on the mat.”
Eichenberger highlighted the work the team put in to prepare for the season and spoke highly of the new members, some of whom were competing in their very first matches.
“We practice every afternoon, and we’ve done a lot of work in the weight room,” he said. 'One thing that was impressive is that this is the first time that some of them have ever seen or done anything with this sport. We practiced about five times leading into the competition, so I’m extremely proud of the effort and the work they’ve put in.”
Pilot Point’s roster has since grown to 14 members, and the team continues to work to get stronger and improve its technique.
“It’s been a lot better than last year,” said team captain Eli Knoblet. “Last season we had a first-year coach who didn’t know much about wrestling, but he tried his best. Now we have a coach with experience, and we’re getting quality reps every practice.”
Pilot Point wrestler Josh Chumley clamps onto his opponent from Whitesboro.
Knoblet added that the team’s goals are “to see everyone advance and reach their personal goals.”
Pilot Point returned to the mat Tuesday at Frisco Panther Creek and faced off teams from Panther Creek, Little Elm and Springtown, with Knoblet securing wins in two of his three matches.
The Bearcats next competition will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 9 at McKinney North High School.
Pilot Point wrestler Timothy Kopsian bears down on his opponent at the dual in Whitesboro on Dec. 13. Martin Edwards/The Post-Signal
