Four wrestlers competed in Saturday’s open tournament for wrestlers with more than two years of experience.

Coleman Miller was Warren’s only 8U competitor in the morning session and finished 2-3. He lost two matches to upper-level kids, but wrestled both very competitively. He lost another match by 1 point for third place to a good private-club wrestler from St. Marys despite a late flurry that almost resulted in a pin. His wins came by fall in 22 seconds and a 4-2 decision thanks to two reversals and complete control on top.

Starting the afternoon session, KC Nelson decided to jump right into the deep end for his first-ever tournament. He met three previous state tournament qualifiers. Although his brute strength fought off pinning combinations that would take out mere mortals, their experience and ability to transition seamlessly from move to move eventually stopped Nelson’s efforts. His final match ended in a win by fall, a scream from his mother, and a reprimand from the tournament director for not keeping Warren parents under control. A 1-3 is not bad considering the opponents.

Justin Krall was definitely Warren’s dominant wrestler of the open tournament. Two kids were terrorized by his quick takedowns and perfect half Nelsons for first-period falls. Two losses were great learning experiences. Krall will hopefully buy into the tech-fall strategy instead of pinning kids in 24 seconds. Mat time in these settings is sometimes hard to emulate in the practice room.

Noah Pape has his hand raised in victory after a pin of a Kane opponent. Submitted Photo

Chance Anderson had the tough draw of the tournament. He faced all experienced kids and was the lightest — by 13 pounds — in the 12u 155-168-pound division. An 0-4 record doesn’t do justice to how hard and well Anderson wrestled. One loss came by fall with a mere 1 second remaining in the second period. One loss came after an excellent back trip attempt — that would have succeeded in most kids his size. The final loss was a hard-fought 7-0 decision to a much bigger opponent. Decisions in this weight class were earned. Out of 10 bouts, eight resulted in pin.

Fourteen Little Dragons competed in Sunday’s novice tournament for wrestlers with one to two years of experience.

Noah Pape won all of his matches and was not scored upon.

Timmy Giger also dominated his competition winning each match.

Wyatt Wilson wrestled some great matches as well.

Giger’s and Wilson’s performances resulted in the tournament director asking if they were actually novice.

Evan Wellner and Curtis McGraw were like rabid dogs chewing through the 50-pounders.

Jaxson Boozer was not far behind them showing vast improvements in his takedowns and half-Nelson.

Older brother Lucas Cope had trouble finding competitors that could hang with him, but little brother Jaxson’s half-Nelson technique was still better.

The Tyler brothers, Nick and Jared, also competed hard and will undoubtedly push each other to get better. It’s always tough when little brother isn’t so little.

Triton Ringer lived up to his name displaying incredible power to reverse positions. He also impressed the spectators with one of the most technically correct spin drills ever seen in a live match.

Oliver Drescher questioned his decision to wrestle after losing a hard-fought battle to a young lady that was crazy good and aggressive. He improved each match to dominate several opponents. Turns out that young lady has an older brother who is a state champion that doesn’t take it easy on his little sister.

Jacob Ryan had his first taste of wrestling. He was a perpetual motion machine on bottom and showed great technique for fighting out of pinning combinations.

Riley Anderson had an incredible opening match displaying all of the techniques learned in practice. In one of her matches she hit a switch which was resisted so she transitioned into a standup for an escape.

Little brother Dylan spent most of his matches giggling on his back. For his first time ever on a mat, it honestly looked like he was having fun.

Finally, KC Nelson decided it was time to flex his muscles on the first- and second-year kids winning three matches including two by fall using the cradle.

Overall, performances of the Warren wrestlers were really good. The Little Dragons worked snap downs and spin behinds from their feet and when those were resisted, double leg takedowns opened up and were well-executed. Half-Nelsons were the most frequently used pinning combination and most of these were run tight and sunk deep. Great technique resulted in a very high percentage of pins. Kids also wrestled well off the bottom keeping their heads up, looking away from halfs, and fighting for hand control. It was a good start for the team providing a very solid foundation off of which to continue to build.