The Forrest Rocket wrestling team finished the first half of the season in style, routing Sycamore 54-15 in Chapel Hill Monday night.

With the win, the Rockets go to Christmas break with an impressive 15-3 record and a ton of confidence.

"The first half of the season has gone well and the biggest advantage we have had in this first half of the season has been numbers," said Forrest head coach Kyle Stacey. "We have had the ability to move wrestlers around and put them in a position/weight class that gives the team the best chance of winning."

Domination

On Monday, the Rockets dominated the War Eagles, beginning with a close 10-9 decision by Ivan Wentzel over Zach Diviney in the 152-pound weight class.

Clay Watson (160) followed with another close win, beating Nick Sharp 11-5 before Tanner Kerr pinned Matthew Birk in the 170-pound weight class to make it 12-0.

Senior Jamie Boyce continued his mastery in the 182-pound weight class with a pin over Peter Wingett and Tyler McClendon remained undefeated on the season when he pinned Christopher Carlton in the 195-pound division.

Billy Clanton (220) made it four consecutive takedowns for the Rockets when he pinned Ian Barnes before Nikolas McGuiggan pinned Logan Hayes in the 285-pound weight class, giving the Rockets a commanding 36-0 lead.

Dante Duncan won via forfeit at 109 to clinch the win for the Rockets, while CJ Monce (113) and Dylan Pendley (120) also won by forfeit to keep the shutout alive.

Sycamore's Seth Douglas finally got the War Eagles on the board with a tough 9-2 decision over Cage Hargrove in the 126-pound weight class, marking the first time this season that Hargrove was defeated.

In an even closer battle, Mitchell Camps (132) narrowly defeated Nick Tahmassebi 4-3.

Chase Sherman (138) beat Joseph Williams 22-19 before Devin Kimble finished the match with a pin over Rocket 145-pounder Robert Newland.

No forfeits

In Forrest's 18 meets so far this season, the Rockets have not forfeited one match.

"We have filled every weight class in every match and that goes a long way," said Stacey. "After Christmas, we will turn our attention towards regional duals and the individual region tournament."

The Rockets will take some time off, while training over holidays to prepare for the second half of the season, beginning with the Red Hawk Rampage Invitational at Stewart's Creek High School on Jan. 4.

"After the break, our wrestlers will settle into their proper weight class and begin to focus on placing in the region tournaments," said Stacey.

The Region 7 Duals will be on Jan. 23 at Eagleville and the Region 3 Individual Tournament will begin on Jan. 28 at Creekwood.

The Division I State Tournament will follow at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center in Franklin.