Sports

Rampage Wrestlers Have Strong Showing at Nationals

Four local wrestlers competed against 1,300 others from around the U.S. in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Editor's Note: The following letter was submitted to Patch by Richfield/Edina Youth Wrestling.

The Richfield/Edina Youth Wrestling set ambitious goals back in June; attend the Keen Cliff USA Wrestling Nationals in Cedar Falls, IA this November.

First year coaches, Jeffrey Wichern and Jaffari Vanier know that building a championship program, you have to shine at the State and National events. 

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The Richfield/Edina Rampage took this big step by attending the Keen Cliff USA Nationals and were represented by Evan Mertz 90 lbs., Keno Vanier 50 lbs., Terae Dunn 50 lbs. and Kaine Laroque 45 lbs. Their five months of hard work reaped success by wrestling well against the best 1,300 wrestlers around the United States.

The young grapplers wrestled strong and gained valuable experience on the national stage. Evan Mertz earned All American honors with his 5thplace finish. 

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The Rampage followed success at the Nationals with a strong showing last weekend at the Rosemount Wrestling Tournament: Evan Mertz, Terae Dunn, Kaine Larocque earning first place. Will Sather, Ethan Sather, Landry Goodwin, Joey Goodwin, Jack Neal and Cole Herrmann earning third place spots.

To keep improving they are in the Richfield High wrestling room every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday…Practice Makes Champions.

For those interested in the joining Richfield/Edina Rampage Youth Wrestling Team, visit www.richfieldyouthwrestling.com or call Coach Jeffrey Wichern at 612-598-6244. The traveling team is open now for experienced wrestlers and the in house team starts next month.

We have attached some photos. The team photo from left to right is Kaine Larocque, Coach Jaffari Vanier, Evan Mertz, Terae Dunn, Coach Jeffrey Wichern and Keno Vanier.

Thank you for all your support! We know how hard you work on the Patch! 

- Jeffrey Wichern, Jaffari Vanier & Jude Mertz

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