Raiders wrestlers dominate in local events

This past week, Raider wrestlers held their annual Powerhouse Tournament at home before attending the Banks Lake Brawl in Coulee City. Raiders nabbed a lot of firsts at the events, in addition to their other placings.

At the Powerhouse Tournament on Dec. 28, first-place spots went to Lake Roosevelt's Jon Shelley, wrestling at the 113-120-pound weight class; Kaleb Horn at 138; Tony Nichols at 152; and Ida Sue in the girls' division.

Other placers that day were Tyler Palmer, who took third in the 145b division; Brandon Long, who took third at 195; Connor Klingenberg, who took fourth at 220; Moses Luevano, who took fifth at 170; and Sherwin Vargas, who took sixth at 220.

"I'm happy with our progress," said Head Coach Steve Hood. "Our young kids are coming along well and our experienced ones are doing well."

At the Banks Lake Brawl on Dec. 30, first-place spots went to Shelley, Horn, Sue, and Nichols, in addition to Luevano and Long, each taking third.

Hood spoke a bit about what helps some wrestlers stand out: "It's not luck, it's not a ton of natural ability; it's a lot of hard work that is paying off for them. We have an optional Sunday practice, and when people come in and do that, it makes a difference for them. It all adds up. You can't expect to do this sport part-time and be one of the better people in it. It's a lot of hard work."

On Jan. 4, the Raider wrestlers go to Brewster for their mixer, which starts at 7 p.m. Then on Jan. 6, the team will participate in the Warden Tournament at 10 a.m.

"We have some very stiff competition ahead of us," Hood said.