The Freedom wrestling team defeated rival Wharton for the first time last night, but that is only the beginning for this group of talented athletes.

The wrestling coach, Coach McCoy, has been wrestling since he was in the second grade, and has been Freedom’s coach for over five years.

McCoy claims that it was an easy win against Wharton and the team has even bigger goals they hope to accomplish.

McCoy even stated, “We hope to become district champs and send five of my guys to the state championship.”

Alex Kiester, 12, and Jerry Miller, 12, are just two players that won their matches and consistently push their team to their best ability.

Kiester has signed to Queen’s University in North Carolina for wrestling and hopes to be a 2017 state champion. He has won eleven matches so far and leads his team as a captain.

Kiester claimed, “This is the best we’ve ever been since I’ve been at Freedom and we plan to win districts coming up.”

Jerry Miller has won ten matches this season and hopes to win more in order to qualify for states. Miller says his match against a Wharton wrestler wasn’t his best but he plans to practice more and become a district champ.

Miller stated, “I love the team with all my heart. We are always supporting one another.”

After multiple pins and body slams, Freedom beat its rival with a final score of 60-24.

Miller added, “We’re looking for bigger and better wins for Freedom, but beating Wharton is a great start.”