Joe Avery wrestles his opponent as the cheerleaders root him on. Photo by Robert Parker.

This one won’t go down in the books as the longest meet of the season, but the 57-18 win over Mira Loma was one of the most eventful.

For the first time ever, the cheer squad performed at a wrestling meet, sitting on the edge of the mat and shouting chants.

“I loved it. Cheerleaders at wrestling: that’s the way it should be. Hopefully it will start a new tradition.I want them at every match,” head coach Dan Parker said.

If the wrestling team continues its winning ways, it could be a possibility. The team’s record is 3-1, 2-0 in league.

This meet was a quick one, as only eight of the 14 weight classes had matches, leaving the other six to forfeits. The first three matches were decided by points and the last five by pins.

Justin Martinez won his match by points, but he wasn’t satisfied.

“I think my match could have gone loads better because I train too hard to not get a pin,” Martinez said.

Matt Magee, a JV wrestler, pinned his opponent in the first round. JV won 15-3 after wrestling four matches prior to varsity, and he said he was proud of how both levels performed.

“I feel the team did great. They had a few good wrestlers, but we had more good wrestlers,” Magee said.

Magee also liked the rooting from both the audience and the cheerleaders.

“I felt it was good that they were giving us spirit … I think it’s great that they’re here to give us support,” Magee said.

The cheerleaders also said they enjoyed cheering for the wrestlers, the experience being a change of pace.

“I liked cheering for wrestling. It was interesting and something new. Even though we got in trouble for hitting the floor, we just clapped out our cheers. It was low-key, kind of laid back,” Lorian McConnell said.

The Wildcats’ next meet is Jan. 19 against El Camino.

By ROBERT PARKER