The Whitewater wrestling program has built a tradition of success and this year’s team has continued that tradition.

“These guys are expected to win around here and they try to live up to the expectations,” Whitewater wrestling coach Mickey Statham said.

Currenty, the Wildcats have a team dual meet record of 33-3. Last weekend, they finished first at the Wildcat Brawl — which they hosted — after placing third in the State Duals in Macon on Jan. 13 and 14.

“We had a real good meet at the state tournament,” Statham said. “We lost to Pope. We lost three duals this year and two were to Pope. They are the best team in 4A. We fought our way back and took third place so I was real proud of the boys there.”

Whitewater also had first-place finishes at the West Hall Duals in November, the Yellow Jacket Invitational in late December and the 3-AAAA Area Team Duals on Jan. 6.

“We’ve got six seniors in our lineup and they are really making a great contribution,” Statham said. “Our first five weight classes are seniors. That is unusual to have all your little guys being seniors—we’re blessed there.

“We do have some good underclassmen but the seniors are real special,” Statham said. “We’re pretty tough down low because of our senior leadership.”

Specifically, Statham is referring to Andrew Mitchell (106 pounds), Bryan Mitchell (113), Andrew Parsons (120), Jesse Cook (126), Trevor Kennedy (132) and Andrew Skibiel (160).

After competing Wednesday on Senior night, Andrew Mitchell was 40-8 with 20 pins, Bryan Mitchell was 46-11 with 24 pins, Parsons had a record of 47-8 with 26 pins, Cook was 16-11 with 12 pins, Kennedy owned a 47-6 mark with 16 pins and Skibiel had a 44-14 record with 27 pins.

“These guys train year round,” Statham said. “Some have been wrestling for years. They work hard and are confident.”

Juniors Austin Penland (138 pounds), Max Sultan (145), Francisco Obregon (152), Dylan Davis (195), Taylor Daly (220) and George Harris (285) have been very impressive as well.

Penland is leading the team in wins and win percentage with a record of 51-4 with 33 wins.

“His freshman and sophomore year, Austin took fourth in the state,” Statham said. “So it’s no surprise that he is having another good year.”

Statham is hoping to get 10 wrestlers in the state tournament, which begins Feb. 16.