Elementary wrestling program keeps Cloverdale tradition going strong

The Blue Bird Salon team finished as dual meet champions in the recent Cloverdale elementary wrestling season. Team members included (front from left) Dylan Watts, Ayden Monroe, Ayden Muncie, Zane Siddons, Abel Siddons, Keegan Robinson, Tommy Gilliam, Clayton McKinney, Avery Muncie, Tyler Sandusky, coach Jacob Waycott, (back) head coach Richard Bennett, Jayden McDonald, William Freeman, Evan Yoho, Nathan Bennett, Ethan Bennett, Clayton Smith, Clay Haddon, Braydon Monroe, Caiden Watts, Hunter Haddon, Nathan Hamilton and coach Brian Siddons.

CLOVERDALE -- Just as Cloverdale Community Schools closed up for spring break, wrestling was heating up the high school gymnasium.

In the midst of the most recent arctic blast of this winter weather stood 86 wrestlers bidding to be the champion of their weight class.

This year was a record year for the elementary wrestling program with more participants than ever.

On Friday March 21, the Cloverdale Elementary Wrestling Program concluded its three-week season. With 22 total weight classes and 86 wrestlers ranging in age from 4 to 10, this year could be classified as nothing but a success and a great stride toward continuing the Cloverdale wrestling tradition.

The wrestlers were placed on four teams all sponsored by local businesses -- Blue Bird Salon, Critter Control, Cloverdale Drugs, and Endeavor Communications -- and all coached by volunteers -- Richard Bennett, Tony Evans, Andy Batchelor, and Chris Kaufman.

The entire program was led by head wrestling coach Christian Frye.

Organizers wish to congratulate all of the wrestlers, coaches, team champions and individual champions for a great season.

They also want to and graciously thank the parents and sponsors for making this season a great experience for all of the kids.

The Elementary Wrestling program consists of three weeks of intense practice and competition. The first week is all practice; the second week is mostly comprised of dual meets among the teams, followed in the third week by a dual meet team championship and finally an individual tournament.

Blue Bird Salon was crowned the dual meet team champions, followed by Critter Control in second, Endeavor Communications in third and Cloverdale Drugs in fourth.

The season came to a close with a two-day individual wrestling tournament by weight class. The following wrestlers were named champions of their respective weight class and are now considered the Cloverdale Elementary Wrestling Champions for 2014:
38 lbs -- Abel Siddons
43 lbs -- Max Bryant
45 lbs -- Ayden Muncie
48 lbs -- Avery Muncie
50 lbs -- Aleah Harris
52 lbs -- Tyler Sandusky
54 lbs -- Caleb Orr
55 lbs -- Dylan Campbel
56 lbs -- Xavier Evans
57 lbs -- Gavin Simpson
58 lbs -- Jagger Hamilton
59 lbs -- Noah Betz
60 lbs -- Ayden Monroe
62 lbs -- Isaiah Ramsay
65 lbs -- Christian Stout
68 lbs -- Jayden McDonald
80 lbs -- Willy Neace
84 lbs -- Brayden Monroe
86 lbs -- Ethan Bennett
95 lbs -- Clayton Smith
Heavyweight -- Caleb Storrs

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The Critter Control team finished second in the Cloverdale elementary wrestling standings. Team members included (front from left) Caleb Orr, Xavier Evans, Landon June, Brenon June, Ashton Evans, Conor Simpson, Brooklee Martin, Anthony Neace, Max Bryant, Dylan Campbell coach Dustin Bryant, (back) head coach Tony Evans, Hunter Fox, Destiny Abernathy, Jacob Simpson, Gavin Simpson, Josh Yost Jr., Christian Stout, Wyatt Campbell, Willy Neace, Noah Betz and coach Josh Yost Sr.

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Endeavor Communications finished third in the Cloverdale elementary wrestling standings. Team members include (front from left) Peyton Grande, Aiden Eakle, Carson Tyler, Aleah Harris, (middle) Harrison Tyler, William Buskirk, Hudson Young, Emmett Manion, Max Kaufman, Patrick Harris, Eric Collins, James Buskirk, Jude Kaufman, coach Emily Kaufman, (back) coach Amber Manion. Erin Vargas, Dalton Weist, James Tillberry, Isaiah Ramsay, Nick Muskgrave, Caleb Storrs, Hayden Collins, Jessica Burr, Jacob Grande and coach Chris Kaufman.

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The Cloverdale Drugs team finished fourth in the Cloverdale elementary wrestling program. Team members included (front from left) Justin Peters, Dameon Poulton, Desmon Smith, Keagan Neador, Legacy Shugars, Levi Moler, John Paulton, Ethan Shannon, T.J. Hamilton coach Kyle Ellis, (back) coach Dustin Shannon, Jaxton Helton, Jagger Hamilton, Matthew Diggs, Vesper Shugars, T.J. Gill, Landon Peterson, Clayton Peterson, Peyton McKibben, Kendal Hamilton and head coach Andy Batchelor.