The Stone Memorial Panthers Wrestling program will open up their season on Tuesday the 22nd. SMHS will continue their annual tradition of opening up the season against Hixson High School.
The Panthers are led by Head Coach Brian Parker who has coached the Panthers since the school opened. Coach Parker has high expectations for his boys and girls team this year. The boys team are looking to take home the District Title this year trying to get a top two spot in the region to qualify for the Sectional Duals. On the girls side with four Seniors the Panther are hoping to have those Seniors be medalists at the State Tournament at the end of the season.
When asked about the rival match up against Hixson, Coach Parker responded saying, “I graduated high school at Hixson and the long time coach there is my best friend from high school who I wrestled with and so we would always set up this match to start the season”, Parker went on to say, “I used it as a gauge because Hixson has always been a tough team they’ve placed in the state many many years and so it’s kinda a measure for us and see how we’re doing and what we need to improve”. Parker also mention how his best friend and former head coach of Hixson retired at the end of last season however it’s still an important match up to see how the Panther start out the year
It’ll be the Stone Memorial Panther and the Hixson Wildcats to open the season on Tuesday, November 22nd at 5:30 PM in the Auxailry Gym at SMHS.
Tuesday night Hixson will also wrestle CCHS and SMHS will wrestle York Institute.