(1/16/06) ER 43 Walker Valley 30

Wildcats Attack Pioneers

(1/16/06) Although East Ridge won 4 of the 5 lowest weight classes, Hixson rebounded in the next 5 classes with 3 wins and 2 forfeits.  At 152, Zach Trent nearly pinned the Hixson 145 who moved up to face him.  In the end it was Hixson 39 - 26 over the Pioneers. 

Bradley Blowout

(1/16/06) The ever-strong Bradley Central overwhelmed East Ridge 61-15.  The story for East Ridge was the pins by a couple of our big men: Dale Bates (189) and Keith Crowell (215).  Larry Baliles added a decision.

East Ridge Decimated by Scale at Central Tourney

(1/14/06) The first year the Central Invitational was changed to a single day, it was shortened to zero days for 4 Pioneers after they missed weight.  Included in the 4 was tournament favorite Cristian Rudas (119).  The remaining wrestlers worked hard to land 4 in the semis, and took 2 medals: Michael Carter (Sop, 171) 3rd Place, Larry Baliles (Sop, 112) 4th Place.

Rudas - 2nd at tough McCallie Invitational!

(12/19/05) "Well it was a great tournament this past weekend at the McCallie Invitational Wrestling Tournament. This tournament is probably the toughest tournament in the south. There was some outstanding wrestling that makes me feel somewhat better about the level that the south is on in wrestling. Tho the team finished 16th out of 19 teams we did have one bright spot on the team. Our 119 pounder Cristian Rudas (Jr.) placed 2nd, which was great because he wasnt even seeded going into the tournament. He won the Ooltewah Invitational a couple of weeks ago but this didnt matter to the seeding committee. He won two tough matches and then he met the number #2 seed. This kid (Nick Turbin) is from McEachern High School out of Atlanta. He was the state champ last year at 103 and is an All-American. He placed 7th in the Asics Junior National Championships at Fargo in Greco at 119. Christian gave up 3 points in the last 20 seconds to make it 9-6. Then he upset the number 3 seed from Ringgold High School in Georgia. This kid named Queen was the state runner up at 119 in Georgia last year. Cristian had to hang on and win by the score of 12-11 in the semi's. Then he met the #5 seed in the finals. This kid's name is John Michael Simpson. He is the youngest brother of the Simpson family. His oldest brother just placed 2nd at the NCAA's last year and was a three time all american at Army. His other two brothers are wrestling for Army and Patrick is Army's captain. His cousin is also at Army and was a high school all-american. His other cousin is a Div. 2 all-american. Well Cristian is beating him by the score of 6-4 and gets caught and gets pinned by some Simpson Funk!!"

Also at the McCallie tourney, Rodney Fryar got a couple of wins before being put out of the consolations by the 3rd place finisher.
Full McCallie results.

Rudas - Champion at Ooltewah Invitational

While the team finished well down in the competition, Cristian Rudas (Jr, 119) concluded the local tournament strong with an 11-2 decision over his Murray County opponent in the finals.

Lions Maul Pioneers in Season Opener

Sophomores Jeff Bowman (125) and Michael Carter (171) took the only ER wins in the tough dual against the much improved Red Bank squad.  The Lions won 63-15.