Cache girls wrestling team makes quick climb up state ladder

There are always challenges when trying to build a winning athletic program, however, when you are starting a totally new team there are even more learning experiences facing coaches.

When Lawton added wrestling to its list of sports in the 1970s, it took several years for the city programs to become contenders at the state level and there were milestones along the way.

Jimbo Smith just happened to be one of the wrestlers making history as he was the first MacArthur wrestler to claim a state individual championship. He witnessed those challenges and his experiences have come in handy during his most recent job; to build a winning girls wrestling program for Cache Public Schools.

Now, in just a short span, Smith has turned the Bulldogs’ girls wrestling team into a state title contender with the latest proof of success coming with the No. 1 ranking in Class 5A this week.

“We started the girls team about three years ago,” Smith said. “The first couple of years we didn’t have that many girls but last year we were able to fill a full team. It was a numbers game, just getting girls who wanted to be involved. I got busy recruiting girls around the school.

“When we had open house, I put a sign-up sheet to try and recruit girls. Most of the girls we got at first weren’t playing other sports but now we are getting some from other sports.”

Smith said he learned along the way that the girls who joined the team have many traits that make them valuable assets to the program.

“These girls have all been hard workers and they are eager to learn,” he said. “They practice along with the boys and they don’t get any special treatment. We had to throw them on the mat and see if they would sink or swim. All of them have been amazing. They are not only hard workers but they are very technically sound; they understand the holds, the leverage, all the things that wrestlers have to grasp to be successful.”

Smith decided from the outset that to become a strong team he wanted to challenge the girls and put them against the best possible competition they could find.

“Bixby is one of the best 6A teams and they beat us by nine,” Smith said. “We lost to another 6A power in Edmond North by three points, 39-36. Those are both nationally ranked teams. These girls have also had tournament success. We won the Blanchard tournament, we won a good tournament title in Grapevine, Texas, we won the Western Conference, the Port City Tournament in Catoosa and the Hub City tournament in Clinton.”

When it comes to the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association wrestling competition the schedule this season includes regional and state meets.

“There are just two classes in girls wrestling this season,” Smith said. “The biggest schools are all in Class 6A and the remainder are in Class 5A, which is where we will be competing. There is no Dual State for girls but they are planning to add that next season. We will have our girls regional on Feb. 13 in Kingfisher.

“Our regional is going to be tough with Harrah, McLoud, Little Axe and Jay among the other top teams. We have beaten McLoud and Harrah in tournaments but the regional is going to be a horse race; anyone could win the thing.”

As is the case with the boys regionals, advancing as many individuals as possible to state is the most important number for the Bulldogs.

“Last season we advanced five girls to state but this year I believe we could advance 9 or 10 girls out of regionals,” Smith said. “We are strong in the lower and middle weights and our upper weights are all improving.”

Smith talked about the girls on his team.

“Kaitlynn Patterson is just a freshman but she’s won three or four tournaments and beaten several state placers,” he said. “Kendal Barfield is also working at 100 and those two working out together helps both of them improve.

“Laurel Hill is at 105 and she’s a senior who is a returning state qualifier. At 110 is another senior, CJ Landry, who is really good on her feet and has loads of potential. And Karlee Chapman is also in the mix there in the lower weights. She is a freshman and is currently ranked. Victorya Cox (115) is a returning state qualifier who had some great summer camps and is super committed. Bailey Rankin is at 120 and she’s a pinner with a lot of strength. She’s still learning and just needs more matches.”

The two current gaps that Smith is working to fill are at 125 and 135 but Shiann Famero is very solid fixture at 130. “Shiann is really tough; she gives the boys at that weight fits. She is as strong as the boys and got state tournament experience last season. She is ranked and has beaten Glenpool’s good 130-pounder.”

Another improving wrestler is 140-pounder Zoe Bennett, another ranked wrestler who is just a sophomore. She came within one win of reaching state last season.

At 145 Smith has another talented freshman in Jazmin Shelton who is an inspiration for any athlete who has faced adversity.

“Jazmin lost a hand in a side-by-side (ATV) accident but she wanted to be a part of the team and what she is doing shows a great deal of courage and commitment,” Smith said. “She is still learning how to wrestling without her hand but she has so much determination it just drives all of the wrestlers to work as hard as she does.”

Smith got some help recruiting from one of his assistant coaches.

“We have Zaileigh Rodriguez at 155 and she is also a softball player,” he said. “Kelsey Watson is my girls assistant and she is also an assistant in softball. Zaileigh is really strong and loves to be on her feet; she loves to throw.”

Smith’s upper weights got some good experience in Tuesday’s dual match against Elgin.

“Chasity Ireland is normally our 170-pounder but we moved her up to 190 to let her go against Abby Anglley in the Elgin dual,” Smith said. “Elgin has the (Symphony) Veloz girl at 170 and she’s really tough, a defending state champion. She should walk through state this year. We just wanted Chasity to see what she could do against Anglley and get some good experience.

“Our heavyweight is Logan McFarland and she is just needing more experience. She had a good match against Elgin and is gaining more confidence.”

This week will be crunch time as the Cache girls drill hard to get ready for the all-important regional on Feb. 13. That will be when the Bulldogs see just where their journey to the top stands after three short years.