Wolverine wrestlers take SRV District 3 title

by Katie von Brethorst

 Weiser travelled to McCall this past weekend for District III wrestling.  This is the tournament that places and allows wrestlers to go to the State Tournament this next weekend.  

 Weiser took 24 athletes to compete in the event, one of the most of any other team. At district tournaments each team is allowed to have two athletes in each weight class in scoring position for their respective teams.  This means that a larger team has a better chance of scoring and eventually winning.  

 Weiser has filled their weight classes this year except for the 106 weight class and has some good depth in each weight class as well. 

 What does that mean? Realistically the only other team who has the numbers to compete is Fruitland who brought 26 athletes to the tournament. So when you have two power houses that can fill the weights it is a battle.  

 Weiser won that battle Saturday with a score of 326.5 to 313.5, with Fruitland coming in behind them at second place.   

 Weiser started off well in the tournament and whittled down the competition. Many of our heavier weights were seeded high in the tournament so they warmed up but didn’t have the opportunity to wrestle until later in the day.  

 Head Coach Drew Dickerson was happy with his District title again this year stating, “We showed a lot of heart and dedication today to the process and to what we have been working towards in the wrestling room all season long.  It is nice to see some good results and once again be champions,” he added.  

 Historically if an athlete places fourth or better that is an automatic berth to the State Championship. After fourth place they have to look at how many athletes from each district there are and fill the bracket according to standings and such.  

 This doesn’t work the same way for the Lady Wolverine wrestlers who competed in District competition this past Thursday.  Audrey DeLeon finished in second place for the Wolverines and will advance to State competition, as well as Whitney Turner who finished in third place.  

 Because of the smaller brackets for the women’s weight classes there was no automatic berth for those placing fourth or higher.  Each bracket had to be assessed.  

 For the men’s team fourth place automatically qualifies the athlete for the State tournament. A fifth place finish has to be considered with how many athletes from each district have qualified and seeding from there.  

 Willie Sudderth finished in fifth place for the Wolverines and received an at large berth to State.  

 Finishing in fourth place for the Wolverines men’s squad was Billy Nevarez at 113, Weston Black at 120, Jahir Cervantes at 126, Stockton Young at 138, Trenton Hawker at 182, and Tristan McMahill at 285.  

 Third place finishers were Luke Sarich at 120 and Oscar Cruz at 220.  

 Finishing in second place for the Wolverines were Andrew Sudderth at 98, Jace Buescher at 138, Aaron Despain at 152, and Maddox Stevens at 160.  

 First place finishers for the District III competition were Rafael Delgadillo at 113, Kash Cobb at 132, Malachi Hoobery at 182, Kaleb Grove at 195, Rylee Willet at 220, and Jesse Lockett at 285.  

 Weiser will send 19 athletes to the State Tournament this weekend, Feb. 25 and 26 in Pocatello at Holt Arena.  

 Go Wolverines!