EHS, Boomers both limited in wrestlers

By Bruce Campbell, Staff Writer

January 08, 2008 01:19 am

— Woodward hosts Enid at 6 p.m. tonight in a dual, pitting two teams with similar problems.
The Plainsmen will be forfeiting at four weights — 112, 125, 135 and heavyweight. The Boomers will also forfeit multiple weight classes.
“We’re in the same boat,’’ Kerr said. “It’s going to be a battle. We have to make sure that we don’t give up a lot of bonus points.’’
Woodward has some strong individuals, including Zach White, the Class 4A state runner-up at 171 pounds and returning state qualifiers Matt White at 125 and Derek Branson at 215.
The Whites are the nephews of Oklahoma State coach and two-time Olympic champion John Smith.
Joey Miller, who has signed with Oklahoma City University’s women’s wrestling team, has missed the early part of the season because of a shoulder injury.
She became the first girl to place in a state tournament as a freshman in 2005.
Kerr, though, is more concerned about his own team. The Plainsmen placed only one wrestler — 160-pounder Tyler Barnes, who was sixth — at last weekend’s Geary Tournament.
“I want everybody to wrestle smart and not beat themselves,’’ Kerr said. “We may not be the best team in the world but I want us to make it through a dual where we don’t beat ourselves. We have been making silly mistakes. If we get beat, I want to get beat by something the other guy does.’’
The EHS lineup will have Michael Wilson (1-6) at 103, Clifton Barker (0-7) at 130, Brice Benge (0-7) at 140, J.B. Stuart (15-4) at 145, Cyle Abbott (0-5) or Kia Castor (6-6) at 152, Jake Keeling (2-3) or Barnes (8-7) at 160, Kaleb Hulva (2-7) or Bryan Abbott (0-2) at 171, Joe Stuart (6-7) at 189 and Dennis Smith (1-8) at 215.
Cook is in his first year at Woodward after replacing Greg Johnson this summer. Enid beat a short-handed Boomer team 59-17 last season The Plainsmen won 40-20 in 2006 while Woodward won 55-15 in 2005.
“It’s getting to be a good rivalry,’’ Kerr said. “Coach Johnson and I had a good rivalry. Coach Cook is a good, young guy who knows a lot about wrestling.’’