The scholastic wrestling season went up another notch for Pilot Point, with the Bearcats’ varsity wrestlers competing at the district tournament on Jan. 31.
Junior Eli Knoblet and seniors Augustus Westbrook and Jackson Burgess traveled to Creekview High School in Carrollton and faced off with grapplers from 14 other area schools, with the Top 4 finishers in each weight class advancing to regionals.
“Our guys competed hard and competed really well,” said Reed Eichenberger, Pilot Point head wrestling coach. “Gus went out and won his first match of the day in an upset, where he went the full distance and beat a guy from Colleyville Heritage 19-15. Jackson worked his butt off, and Eli finished second overall in his weight class in the tournament.”
Knoblet headlined the event on behalf of the Bearcats, entering the tournament as the No. 2 seed in his weight class with an overall record of 15-5.
After a first-round bye, Knoblet defeated his opponents in the quarter- and semifinals before losing in the championship match, finishing as the district runner-up.
“I thought it was a solid performance, but I laid the groundwork in the off-season and during the season leading up to [district],” Knoblet said. “Coming in as a No. 2 seed [gave] a good place in the bracket, which really helped me make it through the tournament.”
Knoblet will make his second appearance at the regional tournament in as many years and said he’s hoping to improve upon his performance from last season.
'I’m really proud of myself for getting this far, and I’m really excited to see what I do out there; I want to go to State,” he said.
Westbrook entered the event with a 4-3 season record and upset a higherseeded opponent in his opening match before losing his next two matches to finish his senior season with a 5-5 record.
“My original plan was to go to regionals with Knoblet, because I already knew he was going, but things don't always work out how you plan, but I've been a part of this program for four years, and the best part has just been helping out the younger guys and seeing them improve,” Westbrook said. “Even though I may have not achieved all the goals I set for myself, it's nice to see the impact I've had on everybody else.”
Burgess entered the tournament with a 7-5 season record before losing his first two matches, finishing his senior season with a 7-7 overall record.
Eichenberger spoke highly of the hard work of both of the Bearcats’ seniors.
“They did a tremendous job this season,” he said. “Both of them battled through adversity, and they both came out of it and performed well in the district tournament. They were both good leaders for us throughout the season, and I'm really proud of those guys.”
Knoblet is scheduled to compete at the regional tournament Friday and Saturday hosted at the El-
