Richfield/Edina Rampage Youth Wrestlers Impress at State Championship

Editor's Note: The following was submitted by Jude Mertz.

The ambitious goals that the Richfield/Edina Youth Wrestling set early in the season were pleasantly exceeded this past weekend at the MN/USA Youth Wrestling Championships held in Rochester, MN. Over 1,700 wrestlers from Minnesota gathered for three days of grappling. The Richfield/Edina Rampage were represented by 21 wrestlers with 8 earning All-State Honors: Aimen Sweeney, Carey Vanier, Charley Schaub, Charlie Vanier, Cole Herrmann, Connor Swetala, Ethan Sather 2nd , Evan Mertz, Hova Willford, Jack Neal 5th, Joey Goodwin 2nd , John Hughes, Kaine Larocque 4th , Keno Vanier 4th , Landry Goodwin, Liam Johnson 4th , Lucas Johnson, Terae Dunn 6th , Tru Willford, Will Sather and Zy Williams 6th .

First year coaches, Jeffrey Wichern and Jafari Vanier know that building a championship program, you have to shine at the State and National events. The success in Rochester, MN was a major step in making that goal a reality. The hours of intense training along with the numerous tournaments they attended, laid the foundation that made the success at the MN/USA Championships possible. The Rampage wrestlers are starting be recognized by coaches and wrestlers around the state.

This team refuses to rest on their commitment to improve, the Rampage wrestler are now setting their sights on more accomplishments before they move forward to next season. The Rampage will be attending the Minneapolis Park Board Championships this weekend, Cliff Keen National Championships in April and the MN/USA Freestyle & Greco Championships in May.

For those interested in the joining Richfield/Edina Rampage Youth Wrestling Team, visit www.richfieldyouthwrestling.com or contact Coach Jeffrey Wichern at 612-598-6244/ jeffwichern@gmail.com.