Wildcats qualified four wrestlers for State Tournament
The Checotah Wildcats qualified four wrestlers to the OSSAA state championship with Juniors Colt Collett 126, Cy Hunt 138, Reighn Westbrook, and senior Mitchell Tanner 144.
Colt Collett captured his third consecutive state championship Saturday night with a thrilling 9-7 victory.
On Thursday morning Colt defeated Brycen Rascnic of Hinton by pin fall in 1.37. Collett would advance to the semifinals on Friday, facing Sabon Batton of Blackwell. Collett was able to defeat his Blackwell foe by a 14-3 major decision, punching his ticket back to the state finals on Saturday night.
In the finals Collett would have a regional finals rematch with Vinita foe Zane Donley. A rare hiccup in which Colt suffered a 6-5 defeat in the regional championship. Donley, a senior who was a four-time state placer, three-time state finalist, and also a defending state champion. Collett would end up defeating Donley 9-7 in the championship to earn his third title.
“I’m so proud of Colt, and the way he handled himself and prepared this week. He had zero doubt and did everything he could to come out with the victory. It wasn’t his best match and got in trouble a couple times in the matchup but found a way to get back in control. Colt has this giant bullseye on him. The real competitors go after him and even though he has won it all these times it’s just as challenging and probably more tougher now that he has moved up weight classes,” Checotah head coach Bret Oleson said.
A lot of Collett’s success has come from his father Paul, who wrestled in high school. The long hours of the father and son working and practicing has paid off for Colt.
“It just feels like another day in the office and for those who choose to follow the same path as me will soon find out what I mean by it’s just another day in the office,” Colt Collett said.
Senior Mitchell Tanner won his pigtail match to get into the bracket. Mitchell then dropped his next two bouts eliminating him from the tournament.
Cy Hunt lost his pigtail match up 4-2 in a very close contest to the eventual 4th place finisher eliminating him from the bracket. Reighn Westbrook went 0-2 “I was happy we got Cy, Mitchell, and Reighn in. It was a tough bracket and they gained valuable experience. Cy was the most improved kid from the start of the year until the end by a long shot. He had a tough first draw but I expect him to continue to get better and look to place at this tournament next year. Reighn got to experience the state tournament and I think this will motivate him to go all in with all he does because he can compete with all these dudes. I know he wants to get on the podium next year,” Oleson said.
Senior Mitchell Tanner will be missed and he continued to make strides year after year. His work ethic was second to none.
“He was so competitive and came a long way. It makes your heart happy to see a kid achieve a goal, work hard for it, and then get it. I am relieved that the season finished with Colt winning another championship. We will work hard with off season training, freestyle wrestling, and Colt’s recruiting,” Oleson said.
Congratulations to the Checotah Wildcat program and head coach Oleson and assistant coaches Rodney Eaton, Marcus Cunningham and Paul Collett.
Colt is the son of Tonya and Paul Collett.
