Smyrna High Defeats Northwest and Mount Juliet in Wrestling

By Andrew Freund

            Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer            

            MOUNT JULIET, Tenn. -- The Smyrna High School wrestling team starring Cameron Henderson fought hard against Northwest and Mount Juliet high schools, on Nov. 20 winning by a score of 42-28 against Mount Juliet and 30-24 against Northwest.  

            The matches were held at Mount Juliet High School. After the Smyrna High team finished its weigh-ins it started to warm up and prepare to wrestle in the first match against Northwest High. Northwest is a well put together team that was ready for battle.

            The competition began in Northwest’s favor with two wins over Smyrna. The Smyrna High Bulldogs had to win the next three contests to win the team match. With Smyrna wrestlers Brandon Leiva, Fernando Bravo and Cameron Henderson left to wrestle, it was looking promising for Smyrna High School.

            Leiva took the mat to wrestle against Northwest’s 115 pounder and was up the whole match with a significant lead of 12-6 going into the third period. Leiva began to run out of energy. A take down and back points coming from Northwest put the score at 12-11, barely in Leiva’s favor with only 30 seconds left. Leiva came out on top with an escape, and the match ended with the score 13-11.

            Bravo was up next. He was full of confidence as he walked out for his match. He landed the first takedown in the first 30 seconds of the match, coming out strong and finishing the rest of his takedowns with ease. 

            By the end of second period, Bravo was up 12-5. As the third period started, Bravo was elbowed in the mouth and bit his tongue. He was forced to leave the mat temporarily because of the bleeding. Smyrna had only one minute to get Bravo back out on the mat ready to wrestle.

            Bravo ran to the mat just in time to finish the match for his team. There were only 42 seconds left. Bravo won by a score of 16-6.

            “I had to swallow the blood and try not to focus on my tongue bleeding so I could win this match,” said Bravo.

            Henderson was the last wrestler to take the mat for Smyrna. He is Tennessee State champion for the 138-pound weight class. He pinned Northwest's wrestler in less than 30 seconds after the whistle was blown.

            “Wrestling is a sport that you must work hard in,” Henderson said. “It is a lifestyle and not just a hobby. You must train and be disciplined to be the best out there because it is your will verses another. No one to help you, just you and your opponent.”

            The Smyrna High wrestling team was ready to fight against Mount Juliet High School. Henderson wrestled against one of the State qualifiers from Mount Juliet, Donovan Henry. Although Henry fought hard, Henderson was the victor by a score of 13-2.

            “Donovan was not an easy opponent, and he still isn’t to his full potential yet this season,” Henderson said. "He will continue to get better as the season gets into full motion. I look forward to seeing him in the future.”

Smyrna has started this season off 2-0 and looks forward to keeping an undefeated record throughout the season.

            “Cameron puts the time in on the mat and is disciplined off the mat,” said Smyrna High Wrestling Coach Mattew Proctor. "Cameron has been leading the team and pushing them to be the best. I look forward to seeing where his discipline and hard work take him in this sport.”

            For more information about the Smyrna High School wrestling team, including a schedule of upcoming matches, visit www.smyrnahighathletics.com.