LACIE SILVA
Editor
Coach Whitaker, the new math and physics teacher at South Pittsburg High School, recently approached the town board to request a donation for the school’s wrestling team. During his request, he inquired about the possibility of using the armory, which is undergoing renovations, as a space for the wrestling team.
Mayor Samantha Rector informed him that the armory’s construction project has been in the planning stages for several years, with no firm start date but an estimated completion timeline of about a month once it begins, potentially in October, depending on the progress of the grant they are working with.
Commissioner Kellerman suggested checking with the elementary school gym for practice space, acknowledging the challenges posed by other extracurricular activities during the wrestling season. However, it was clarified that middle school basketball, which occurs simultaneously, would be held at the high school gym. It was also recommended that Whitaker reach out to Richard Hardy Memorial School to explore the possibility of merging teams.
Coach Whitaker discussed the fundraising efforts for new wrestling mats, noting that the mats are expensive, with new ones costing around $7,500 each. He expressed a desire to eventually acquire at least four mats to accommodate the three teams and divisions, though he understands it may take a few years to build up their collection. He also mentioned that while mats have a long lifespan of 15 to 20 years, finding second-hand options has been challenging, with one used mat nearly as expensive as a new one.
The board unanimously approved a $3,000 donation to the wrestling team to support their efforts.
