(Above) One of the Seniors, Jackson Angelou, West Virginia commit, wrestled in the 190 weight class for this meet. Aneglou is ranked thirteenth in the country in the 190 weight class by Flo Wrestling.
Normally, lunch is a time for students to catch up with friends, socialize, do homework, or play ping-pong in the courtyard. But at the “School of Opportunity,” sports are not just after-school events. Lake Highland’s Varsity Wrestling hosted a meet that served as a lunch show, as they hosted the number six-ranked team in the country, Malvern Preparatory School. This matchup is not only the first of its kind for Lake Highland because it was hosted during lunch, but it was also a matchup of two top ten teams in the country Additionally, it was one of the biggest matchups in the regular season. The meet was between the number three-ranked Highlanders and number six-ranked Friars, as well as being the biggest match in the South, and the talk of lunch. During the match, there were 13 different weight class duals, with the Highlanders beating the Friars for the win after a hard-fought meet with a final score of 35 to 18. Students and faculty from Lower School and Upper School were welcome to watch the meet and cheer on the Highlanders on their Senior Night. After the meet, the Highlanders moved up from number three to the number two-ranked team in the country in Flo Wrestling’s rankings. Now the Highlanders kick off their postseason with their next meet, against Valiant Prep and Sunnyside High School at Arizona State University.
(Above) Yandel Morales, grade 12, is a Missouri commit ranked 18th in the country by Flo Wrestling. Morales wrestled his Senior Night in the 120 weight class. Throughout the duel, Morales was able to pin his opponent many times. (Hayden Roberts)(Above) During match, the team was not only cheering for their wrestlers but also calling out the refs whenever they got a successful pin. Coach Palazzo’s ecstatic energy and advice helped motivate the wrestlers to push through their duels. (Hayden Roberts)(Above) Tyler DeKraker, grade 12, stares down his opponent in a crouching position, getting ready to make his next move. DeKraker was able to secure many takedowns during his duel but was also able to get a pin. A pin is when you are able to hold your opponent’s shoulder blades to the mat for two seconds. (Hayden Roberts)(Above) Stanford commit Zeno Moore, grade 12, is one of the returning Senior leaders on this year’s team. Not only has he earned the respect of his teammates, but also his opponents. This year, Zeno is the third ranked wrestler in the country in the 157-pound weight class by Flo Wrestling’s latest rankings. (Hayden Roberts)(Above) Minnesota commit Tyler DeKraker, grade 12, locked his opponent in a crufix. DeKraker won his duel 5-4 with many quick take downs in front of the electric homecrowd. DeKraker was able to get his opponent in a crucifix armbar to secure a takedown. (Hayden Roberts)(Above) Yandel Morales, grade 12, and his opponent square up in a lockup. Throughout the duel, Morales and his opponent met in many different stalemates and draws. Morales made quick moves and attacks with the crowd and the team cheering him on during every move. Throughout the duel, Morales put up a constant fight, leaving it all on the mat for his last home duel. (Hayden Roberts)
Hayden Roberts is a sports writer for Lake Highland Preparatory School’s Upper School newspaper, Twice-Told Tale. Hayden has been writing for the newspaper since January 2023. Roberts loves to cover and write about all different sports and hopes one day to study sports journalism.
