Eight Youth Wrestlers Place at Gopher State Nationals

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

On February 9-10, the Richfield/Edina youth wrestling team competed in Gopher State Nationals in Monticello, MN against 1100 boys from 11 states. At this very prestigious tournament, we had 14 boys competing and 8 place winners throughout the tournament.  

Place winners:

•  Keno Vanier - 6th place Edina

•  Hova Willford - 6th place  Edina

•  Zy WIlliams  -  5th place Richfield

•  Carey Vanier - 4th place Richfield

•  Will Sather  -  4th place Edina

•  Joey Goodwin - 3rd place Richfield

•  Charles Vanier - Champion Edina 

•  Kaine Laroque - Champion  Richfield    

Being the first full year with the new Coaches, Jeff Wichern and Jafari Vanier, are very proud of the big steps the team has made in such a short time.   

On February 2nd the team traveled to St Michael for the states toughest team tournament. As a last minute entry, Richfield/Edina Rampage Youth Wrestling was prepared. Competing against 32 teams from throughout the mid-west, we finished with a 3-2 record and winning the division D bracket and taking 13th overall.  

Top Wrestlers of the day: 

•  Kaine Laroque of Richfield 5-0

•  Keno Vanier of Edina 5-0    

The Richfield/Edina Youth Wrestling team is made up of mostly first and second year wrestlers and have already competed at the top level in the state. Coaches Jafari Vanier and Jeff Wichern have put together a great coaching staff and are trying to Make Richfield and Edina a Wrestling power house in the state.  

If interested in Wrestling please contact Jeff Wichern at Jeffwichern@gmail.com.