By: Lee Ramsey
Eight Seymour wrestlers placed at this weekend’s Knoxville Catholic Invitational Tournament. They finished 4th out of 16 teams.   That is a very good showing, especially considering the competition.  Many wrestlers in the event came from top programs.
Luke Hall, a 119 pounder junior led the Eagles with a 2nd place finish behind a two-time state champion.  Eight Seymour wrestlers earned at least a top-six place in the tournament.  This is a good indicator that the Eagles wrestling program is on the right track.
Alex Cate, Seymour’s first year coach said, “I was really pleased overall (with the tournament).  It’s definitely good to see a performance like this, this early in the season.”
Michael Raimondi, Shane Chipley and Joseph Wisell finished in third place in the 135-160 and 189 pound classes respectively.
Chuck Wilson finished fourth in the 171 pound class.  Trent Williams and Caleb Stoffle finished fifth in the 130– 140 pound classes respectively, and William Jorda placed sixth in the 103 pound class.
As with other sports this year at Seymour High School, the wrestling team has changed coaches. Alex Cate took over this year. He comes from Morristown West High school where he was the assistant wrestling coach there. Cate graduated from Halls in 2004 where he was an outstanding wrestler. He then went on to Carson-Newman College where he also wrestled.
His individual success has carried over in his coaching to this year’s eagles wrestling team with successful tournaments at Pigeon Forge, Karns, Bradley Central and Catholic. Coach Cate had this to say, ”We have a full line up which makes it easier to be successful. I’m very pleased with our progress so far.” Three returning State Qualifiers make the task a bit easier also; Juniors Luke Hall (119 pound class) and Shane Shipley (160 pound class) along with senior Michael Raimondi (135 pound class).
This Saturday the Eagles hit the mats in ‘The Eagles Challenge’ at Seymour High School. The tournament runs from 9:30 am to 3pm.

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