The Rangers Wrestling team recently enjoyed an extremely successful weekend, placing three varsity and six junior varsity wrestlers at the Tri-State Tournament at Lake Highlands. The team racked up 60 points throughout the course of the two-day tournament, good enough for a 10th place finish out of 20 teams.
Bouncing back from a rough showing at the Heath Invitational two weeks before, the team came out with guns blazing, ready to show their competition that their previous performance was a fluke. “We had a good weekend,” remarked Head Coach Ryan Menard. He mentioned his “excitement” before the first question was even asked, obviously enthusiastic about the team’s success.
Captain Shane Ross ’15, tournament champion, expressed his appreciation with his teammates’ determination, saying, “We truly revealed our character as a team in the Tri-State tournament. Despite our unsatisfactory performance earlier in the week, I’m truly proud of my team for putting aside our losses and continuing to keep our eyes set on victory.
Menard cited his wrestlers’ poor performance at Heath as a stepping stone to their stellar execution at Tri-State, describing how the mediocrity displayed at Heath acted as motivation to come out stronger than ever: “The boys realized that they didn’t compete to their ability or anywhere near their potential. They put a little more into it, in their belief of themselves and in their attitude, and I think that just carried over in their performance… They realized that their expectations were much higher. They fought. They won some matches that the week before they wouldn’t have won. It was fun to watch.”
The JV was virtually unstoppable, dominating the tournament en route to six total top four performances. Chris Artigues ’15, Blake Heckel ’17, and Ryan Black ’16 all won their weight divisions at Tri-State, sweeping their opponents. Meanwhile, Ethan Arthur ’18, Matthew Schonberg ’16, and Grayson Buchholz ’17 finished second, third, and fourth, respectively, in their weight divisions.
For Ryan Black, this tournament marked his third straight first place finish in his weight division. Menard, praising Black’s natural talent, hinted at a future call up to the Varsity team, explaining, “He’s dominating. He can compete with the varsity level kids…. We’re getting ready to transition [him] on a full-time basis.”
Blake Heckel commented on his inaugural first-place finish in the tournament, saying, “It’s rewarding. I am happy for my team and it feels good knowing that the hard work we put in pays off in a big way. We have a lot of potential and I am excited for the remainder of the season and the years to come.”
As for the JV as a whole, it is obvious from the consistency displayed in each of the last three tournaments (at least four wrestlers have finished in the top four in their weight class), that they have a firm grasp on the technique and attitude necessary to succeed on the mat. “They are beginning to mature and realize the qualities it takes to become not only good wrestlers but athletes as well: work ethic, commitment, dedication, perseverance,” elaborated Menard. He continued, “They’ve had their bumps, but they’re sticking to it. These guys keep plucking away and working hard. It’s a pleasure to work with that kind of attitude.”
Additionally, the Varsity squad fared far better at Tri-State than at Heath. Exceptional senior Shane Ross earned yet another first place victory, while fellow teammates Antonio Hernandez ’15 and Reagan Mathes ’15 each finished fourth in the 285 and 145 pound weight classes, respectively. Both Hernandez and Mathes placed for the first time in a tournament this season, showcasing the hard work occurring in the wrestling room that is beginning to pay off early in the season.
Ross, commenting on his impressive showing, revealed happiness with his victory, but an insatiable thirst for further success. “I truly was honored to win MOW (Most Outstanding Wrestler) at the Tri-State Tournament. I competed against a very tough opponent in the finals and was very proud of my victory. However, I am not satisfied, as I am putting that win aside and preparing myself for success in the postseason.”
Menard reflected a similar mindset, honoring his wrestlers for their strong performance yet emphasizing his ultimate desire for improvement. “It’s very positive that we are starting to place. But I keep telling my wrestlers, ‘Don’t become complacent.’ It’s exciting to have good results but let’s continue to work like we have been working this week and get better from here on out.”
