MHS, MMS wrestlers to host five meets in next month
Sports reporter
Usually Marion High School wrestling fans get to see their team at home once per season.
With this past week's junior varsity match, and two home varsity meets, fans have the opportunity this season to see them three times.
The middle school team will have two home meets as well.
"Our program keeps getting stronger and stronger," Warrior head coach Chad Adkins said. "I think it's important for the kids to get to show the community that."
Fifteen teams were in town Saturday for the Marion Junior Varsity Tournament, where four wrestlers, James Dye, Galen Funk, Levi Anderson, and Trevor Foth all finished in the top four in their weight classes.
Thursday, Marion will have a chance to see the varsity wrestlers at home for the first time this season when the team plays host to the Marion Double Dual.
Chase County, Eureka, and Remington will be in town for the meet.
The Warriors also will host Haven and Lyons Feb. 7.
"It feels pretty good, because we have a lot of good kids out," senior wrestler Charlie Holub said. "It will be nice for them to come see and support us."
Holub, who is a two-time state qualifier, appreciates the crowd, but says there is one person in particular who stands out the most.
"I'm usually in a zone," he said. "The only person I can really hear is my grandma when she's screaming."
Fellow senior Hank Collett, who has witnessed the program grow the past three years, enjoys a chance for the home folks to see him as well.
"I can only hear them if I relax a little bit, and I'm winning," Collett said with a laugh. "It's fun if you're winning."
Adkins thinks the rest of the team enjoys it as well.
"It's a lot more fun to wrestle in front of a packed crowd," he said. "We usually have a pretty good turnout."
MHS activities director Tod Gordon said the duals rotate between the teams that participate, and it just so happened Marion will host two varsity meets in the same year it has a JV and two middle school meets.
"For anyone who hasn't been, they really need to come just to see what's it's all about," Gordon said.
With the way the Warriors have been wrestling since winter break (3-0 in duals, and third and seventh-place finishes at two tournaments), it's safe to say they will be ready for the home crowd.
"I would encourage everyone in the community to come out and support these kids," Adkins said.
Marion vs. Nickerson
It wasn't much of a contest Thursday for the Marion High School wrestling team at Nickerson.
The Panthers had just five wrestlers, and the Warriors took advantage, defeating NHS 42-12.
MHS won three of five matches wrestled.
Cody Wildin recorded the first victory of the night, defeating Darius Barnes in the 125-pound match by pinning him in three minutes, 13 seconds.
After Galen Funk lost in the 125-pound match, Cody's twin Dillon pinned Casey McConnell in 3:37 of the 135-pound match-up.
Derek Riggs earned the final six points for Marion with a pin of Chris Kane in the 285-pound heavyweight division.
Hank Collett was defeated by 160-pounder Dylan Helus.