GRAY DEYOSports Writer

The Tullahoma Wildcats wrestling team has started the 2025-2026 season in great form. They picked up two wins on Dec. 2 in a tri-meet matchup against Cornersville and Cookeville High School. They defeated Cornersville by a score of 83-0 and Cookeville by a score of 57-16.

Cookeville

The Wildcats came to the Welsh wrestling center with confidence, and it carried over to the mat as their skill took over. Against Cookeville High School, this was seen as Tullahoma as a whole had seven wins by pins in the match, one of which included now upperclassmen Zachary Murphy. The junior is looking to make it his third year in a row where he qualifies for the individual state, and he showed at this meet that he is already in great form early in the season. The other six pins for the Wildcats came from CJ Weaver, Say’vion Surles, Kiivon Butler, Julian Calcagno, Neyland Dalton, and Dwayne Cook. The Wildcats had three other wins in this match, excluding forfeits, coming by decision wins. These came from Grayson Peacock, Sylas McGowen, and Elijah Horton.

 Out of all these wins, three came by first or second year Wildcats. The underclassmen proved that they are here to keep the program in good standing. They have had no fear at the next level thus far, and should help the Wildcats in a major way as they look to have a similar year as a team to the one they had last year.

Cornersville

The Wildcats were dominant in this match against Cornersville, not allowing one win. Tullahoma, in seven out of their eight wins, outside of forfeits, won by pins. These pins came from Dalton, Surles, Gabriel Delaughter, Weaver, Chandler Minor, Knox Grimes, and McGowen.

These two wins stack on to some already good momentum early in the season for the Wildcat program, as they are coming off two wins from Nov. 20. Those wins came against Marshall County and Spring Hill High School. They will look to continue this positive trek as they have a loaded schedule for the rest of the week.

On Dec. 4, they will have another tri-meet style of event as they take on Marshall County and Community High School. The day after, they will face Franklin County High School. Lastly, on Saturday, the 6th they will have an all-day event at THS as they participate in the Garner/Dyer Invitational. The Wildcats, after this, will get a bit of a breather where they do not have anything else scheduled until Dec. 12.