How Piedmont's Cash Donnell is chasing third state title before heading to OU wrestling

EDMOND — Cash Donnell didn’t have to do much in Piedmont’s dual at Deer Creek on Tuesday night.

The star wrestler had been waiting all day to take the mat.

But when his name was called and he entered, no opponent came out from Deer Creek’s side, and Donnell was awarded the victory via forfeit.

It wasn’t the first time this happened and likely won’t be the last as most opponents sense Donnell will easily win, so they game plan in a way that results in them just avoiding Donnell all together.

“It’s a little bit frustrating getting all ready for a match and then going out there and not getting to wrestle anybody,” Donnell said following Piedmont’s 39-26 victory. “But yeah, it happens sometimes. They do it strategically for their team.”

As Donnell nears the end of his high school career, he remains one of the most feared wrestlers in the state. An OU signee, the 120-pounder helped Piedmont qualify for the Class 6A dual state tournament last week and will attempt to claim his third individual title at the state tournament next month.

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He went undefeated as a sophomore and won the 113-pound title before claiming the 120-pound championship last season.

Donnell has his sights on one more title before heading to Norman.

“Feeling pretty good on the year,” Donnell said. “I’m wrestling good. I’m ready to go.”

Donnell is having another strong year and won the Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference title earlier this month. He beat Edmond North junior and Navy commit Devon Miller 5-0 in the finals not long after Miller defeated Donnell 3-1 in sudden victory at the Geary Invitational.

The two also faced off in last year’s state finals when Miller was at Westmoore. Donnell secured the title with a 2-1 ultimate tiebreaker victory.

“He’s a great kid, great wrestler,” Piedmont coach Erik Ford said of Donnell. “Love having him, being able to throw him out there.”

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Born and raised in Piedmont, Donnell’s obsession with wrestling began at a young age.

He was already at an elite level as he entered high school and has shined throughout his career with the Wildcats.

“He’s a lot of fun to be around,” Ford said. “As far as personality as a wrestler, he’s the most introspective kid I’ve ever coached. He’s always thinking about, what do we need to do?

“A story I always tell about Cash Donnell, his freshman year he got beat in the state finals and the first thing he did when he came off the mat, he didn’t cry, he didn’t boo-hoo, he said, ‘Hey, what did I do wrong? What do we need to fix?’”

Donnell is seemingly always doing something related to wrestling.

It isn’t just a sport to Donnell.

It’s more like a lifestyle.

“He’s ate up with it,” Ford said. “He practices hard every day. But he’ll go and work out with other guys at a club. He does not like to be off the wrestling mat for very long.”

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Donnell has clearly set himself apart in a state filled with great wrestlers.

He said it all starts with his mindset.

“I’m real determined,” Donnell said. “When the season comes, I just get locked in. I just know that I need to do more than my opponents are doing, so I’m always looking for the extra practices, doing the extra work.”

Donnell announced his commitment to OU over the summer.

The decision was easy for the Piedmont star.

“I’ve always just wanted to wrestle at OU since I was a kid,” Donnell said. “When I was young, I started wrestling, I would always go up to McCasland (Field House) and watch the duals with my family. We got season tickets all the time. It’s the spot where I wanted to be since I was little, so once they approached me with an offer, I had to take it.”

Although Donnell will be at 120 pounds for the state tournament, he filled in at 126 on Tuesday.

That kind of thing doesn’t make a difference to Donnell, and his unselfishness is a big reason he’s become a key leader in Piedmont.

“Whatever you ask him to do, he does it,” Ford said. “He’s a great team guy. But really, he’s just a great competitor.”

Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @nicksardis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Piedmont star, OU wrestling signee Cash Donnell eyes third 6A title