MOORE — Midway through the wrestling season, Moore High is battling the same injury bug that took several bits out of it last year. Several wrestlers have gotten twists and sprains that have kept them out of tournament and duals.
However, one of those who hasn’t been affected is Derek Silverston. The 182-pound senior has been on a tear to start the year. That includes dominating the Norman High tournament last Friday,
“I felt pretty good,” Silverston said. “I won all my matches. I got first place, pinned all five kids and ended up getting outstanding wrestler.”
Heading into this week, Silverston was 13-0 and the third ranked 182-pounder in class 6A, according to Oklahoma High School Wrestling. He’s on pace to reach the goals he has set for himself.
“Last year I got fourth in state,” Silverston said. “So this year I’m hoping to win it all. Get first at state and maybe go undefeated. I am going to have to keep pushing myself in the room and just keep working a hard as I can and staying focused.”
It was the loss in the state tournament that has pushed Silverston this year.
“I think this year I have a sense of urgency in the room,” Silverston said. “I am working a lot harder than I did last year. It’s my last year and I just want to win state. Last year I came up short and lost in the semis at state. It was really hard. I was hoping to win it last year. So that is just giving really giving me drive and motivation it this year and work harder.”
Silverston’s teammate, McKale Washington has the same burning desire to get back to the state tournament and win it all after falling short last season.
“I learned you have to leave it all out there on the mat,” Washington said. “Never give up. The match is never over until the ref raises the other guys hand or your hand.”
Washington is currently ranked fifth in the class 6A in the 152 pound division and has his sights set on having his armed raised as a champion multiple times.
“My expectations this year were nothing less than getting first at state,” Washington said. “I want to accomplish that. Win it this year and next year and hopefully get a scholarship to wrestle. That’s my dreams. That’s my expectations.”
Another expectation of Washington was to hold on to the annual Moore Festival championship. The Lions won the title last year and despite being banged up, they went into Tuesday looking to keep the title at Moore High.
“We need to bring that championship back to Moore for another year,” Washington said. “It’s a pretty big thing. It’s always up there on our top goals along with going to dual state and getting as many as we can to the state tournament. When we get a chance to beat Westmoore an Southmoore, we always want to.”
Michael Kinney Follow me @eyeamtruth - mkinney@mooreamerican.com
