Woodruff Wrestling Sweeps Home Match as CJ Smith Records 100th Career Win

By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer | garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com

The Woodruff wrestling team gave their best performance of what is already turning into a strong season by sweeping three opponents in their latest home match.

The Wolverines defeated 2A #6-ranked Clinton 45-36, took down Abbeville 48-36, and then obliterated an overmatched Christ Church team 72-12.

Woodruff senior CJ Smith, who wrestles in the 138-pound weight class, notched his 100th career victory against Christ Church as part of the proceedings that saw both the Wolverine girls and boys wrestle exceptionally well.

“It’s awesome to see how everyone is competing,” said Woodruff head coach Austin Weathers.“There are a lot of new faces, and you are always kind of nervous when you work in a bunch of new people and how it’s going to mesh and come together, but the returners have been really receptive to the ones coming in and rallied around them, and the results are showing on the mat. It’s not just we’ve added numbers, but we’ve added quality to the numbers.”

The Woodruff program continues to rebuild quickly after several down seasons, with participation skyrocketing and, for the first time in several years, all the Wolverines’ weight classes filled.
It paid off against a stout Red Devils’ team.

Woodruff trailed Clinton 36-28 going into the 190-pound match before recording two pins, the first by Jaylen Lyles, and a technical decision to score the final 17 points.

Josh Mulak’s tech decision also helped fuel the win. Rachel Hayes recorded a big pin following a key reversal, and Dawson Clevenger and Dyonne Hall won by tech decision and pin, respectively, to cap the comeback.

C.J. Smith was one of just a handful of returning members to the team this year and has been a constant, even through the hard times. He now ranks 15th on the all-time wins list with a chance to move even higher as the season continues. Winning 100 career matches is an accomplishment he is very proud of.
“(Winning 100 matches) is special, especially with all of the hard work and dedication I’ve put into this sport,” said Smith.“To get that 100th win is a big milestone. I think I’m the 17th person to do it in school history, and to think about all of the great wrestlers who have come through here, to be on the wall with them, it’s pretty cool.”

For Weathers, having a veteran presence like Smith’s has made a difference, as CJ serves as a mentor to younger athletes, either entering or returning to the team following a hiatus.

“CJ is really good to have in the practice room, he’s got a great work ethic, and really what he would call blue collar,” Weathers explained.“ He comes into work every day and to be an example to the younger guys and how you should go out and wrestle. He wrestles a really tough style, and that’s the kind of kid I want to see on the mat.”

Woodruff improved to 5-2 in team dual matches this season with its three victories and has its sights set on competing for a region title, which would be its first in nearly a decade should they accomplish it.

“It’s been awesome (seeing the program thriving again),” added Smith.“Our coaches are really cool, and to see everyone come in the room with a smile on their face, ready to get better, it’s really awesome. We used to not have enough kids to fill a dual (roster), and now we have plenty to fill a dual. Everybody is happy, and we’re doing good on the mat.”