Panther wrestlers kick off season with tourney title

    Reed-Custer’s middle school wrestling program competed in two tournaments over the last two weekends, traveling to Dwight and New Lenox.
    The Panthers kicked their season off by traveling to New Lenox for the Dave Ulstad Rookie Rampage on Dec. 2.
    The tournament was designed to give wrestlers a positive start to the season with equal competition and mat time for the wrestlers.
    “We battled with pride and toughness throughout the tournament,” said Panthers coach Yale Davis. “The team was very happy with the community traveling to support the wrestlers.”
    The team ended up with 12 individual placers, including two champions.
    Evan Ehringer and Roger Gille wound up winning their brackets, while Zack Cieslak finished second.
    The other nine placers included: Dakota Gille, Nick Cieslak, Samantha Sprimont and Jacob Pfeiffer in third; Martin Devalois and Catalina Bowie in fourth; Joey Ulrich in fifth; and Jeremy Eggleston and Travis Miller in sixth.
    “The team wrestled with discipline and had a lot of teachable moments throughout the day,” commented coach Marquardt. “Great job Panthers.”
Redbird Invite
    This past Saturday, the Panthers traveled to Dwight to compete in the Redbird Invitational.
    RCMS ultimately finished with the top prize due to impressive individual performances.
    Coach Davis and Coach Kelly were impressed with the level of intensity and heart that the wrestlers showed.
    Picking up champion titles in the individual brackets included Seth Billingsley (75 lbs.), Landon Markle (90) and Kody Marschner (185).
    The Panthers had five wrestlers finish in second, including: Ethan Mann (100), Brenden Tribe (105), Rex Pfeifer (126), Noah Windsor (135) and Gunner Berg (215).
    Ethan Pfeiffer (80) and Ryan Tribble (95) both picked up third place, while the Panthers also had five fourth place finishes, including: Sam Begler (70), Brandon Moorman (112), John Aylward (145), Ty Zier (167) and Eric Housman (275).
    The Panthers will hit the road again on Thursday, as they prepare to face Nash, and will then travel to Coal City on Jan. 6 for the Coal City Invite.