The final score in a wrestling dual can often make the outcome look worse than what really happened. That was the case in Muskogee's 53-23 win over Tahlequah on Tuesday night at the TMAC.
While Muskogee did have superior wrestlers at several weights — 113, 126, 138, 160 and 220, Tahlequah tossed out several guys (Mitch Sellers, Hestin Lamons, Dayne Whitehorn, Colton Wright) that proved they can compete against guys at the 6A level.
The problem, though: three of Tahlequah's four top wrestlers are sophomores with Whitehorn being a junior.
The Tigers are young — extremely young.
But Tahlequah is headed in the right direction. Just ask Muskogee coach Bobby Jefferson, whose been around a long time and has seen plenty of top-notch wrestling programs during his tenure.
"(Tahlequah) has come a long ways," said Jefferson, whose junior varsity squad had no problem knocking off Tahlequah's varsity club two years ago.
"They're getting better all the time. (Tahlequah coach) Brandon (Benson) has them going in the right direction, and it's only a matter of time before they take off. He's a knowledgeable coach and he'll get them to where they need to be at."
Benson couldn't ask for better support; from a guy who was recently inducted into the Oklahoma chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
"Their coaches have always been real complimentary of us — our wrestlers and staff," Benson said. "They let us know that we're doing things right; that they're in our corner for the whole year except for about two hours when they dual us."
Random note: Tahlequah's varsity wrestling team is 4-7 in duals this year but 0-3 in the state of Oklahoma. The Tigers recently went 4-4 in the Deep South Bayou Duals in Baton Rouge, La. The Tigers next chance to win a dual in Oklahoma will be Tuesday at home against McAlester.
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