For the first time in the program’s history, White Station High School (WSHS) Spartans took home the city championship title, triumphing over Germantown, Cordova and Central High School. This victory not only secured their place in the record books but also proved how far the team has come.
The tournament followed a dual meet format, with each team competing head-to-head. In wrestling duals, matches begin with weigh-ins and then individual wrestlers face off, scoring points for their team with each win. Every match mattered and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Antoine Carr (12) stepped up. With a 25-6 record going into the tournament, Carr was moved up a weight class due to an injury in the lineup but still managed to win his matches, earning crucial points for the team.
“I played three matches in the 157 weight class,” Carr said. “I got bumped up because Ra’Leih Chew (10) was injured. I won all three because I am him and different. The matches were tough, but you know I’m different and better than everyone else, so I won all of mine.”
Despite this being a chance for the first team title, the team proceeded as normal. Many wrestlers didn’t even realize the significance of the meet until after it was underway.
“I thought it was a normal duel and then [Coach Jim] Kurtz just said, ‘By the way, it’s city championships,” Caleb Lawrence (10) said.
This marks the second season under Kurtz, and the team has come a long way under his leadership. The focus on team chemistry and training partners has helped transform the Spartans into a more unified and competitive squad.
“Since last year, we’ve become more of a team than just a few individuals,” Lawrence said. “We are getting better with duals and better as a whole team now that we have mats and home games at [WSHS].”
In order to prepare for the tournament and all competitions, the wrestlers work hard every day with a minimum of two hours of practice every day. Coaches help fine-tune technique and condition the wrestlers to be in the best shape they can be.
“[We do] hard work every day: six minute sprints every day, wrestling with my partner Keegan and learning from everyone else,” Carr said
This victory for the team remains a place in history for the wrestling team. They hope to continue winning city championships in the future.
“To have a win on my record as a second year wrestler that just started with a brand new team was nice,” Lawrence said. “It feels nice to be able to I went undefeated and won city championships.”
Not only does it become a place in history, but also a source of confidence for this budding powerhouse. They move on to set their sights on the journey of qualifying as many wrestlers they can to the state championship.
“As a first year, everyone else should better be ready for more,” Carr said.
