The Read Mountain wrestlers took second and Central Academy was fourth in the Norseman Invitational Tournament at Northside Middle School last Saturday. Andrew Lewis won the annual season-ending tournament.
Read Mountain had one champion as Luke Scott took first at 152. The Stars had five runners-up with Micah Perdue at 112 pounds, Nathan Gergely at 120, Isaiah Perdue at 128, Malachi Perdue at 136 and Isaac Shifflett at 265.
Central Academy had three champions, Bryson Spence at 120, Wyatt Manbeck at 128 and Luke Mundy at 160. Seconds were won by Ryder Hall at 77 and Tanner Goyer at 84 pounds.
CAMS was undefeated in dual matches until the final match of the season against Andrew Lewis in Salem last Wednesday.
Photos courtesy of RMMS and CAMS wrestling
“Due to several missing wrestlers for various reasons, we had to give up 18 team points in forfeits, and Andrew Lewis was able to edge us out by just six points,” said CAMS coach Mike Hall. “Even with that close loss, our team finished the regular season with an outstanding 7–1 record.
“Going into the Norseman Tournament, our team size and missing key wrestlers definitely mattered, but our kids still showed up and competed hard all day. We would have loved to have had another undefeated season and to be Norseman champions again, and that was the goal, but just like last year the stat that I am most proud of is two years in a row, every single kid on our team, whether they were a starter or an alternate, has earned one win or more. At the end of the day, that is what matters most. We have kids who are competing, winning and loving the sport of wrestling. Our kids now step on the mat expecting to win, and other teams know that when they face Central Academy they are going to be in for a challenge. That is who we are now.
“Our hope is that they take that passion, confidence, and success into high school where we can continue to build strong programs and keep winning.”
