The Sugar River Raiders wrestling team had a dual against Beloit Turner at home on January 27th. The Raiders lost, 15-66.

Competing at 113 lbs, Nathan Balderas lost by fall to Jayden Held. At 126 lbs, Brian Hollis lost by fall to Justin Teague. Joe Quaglia, wrestling at 132 lbs, won by fall over Andres Beltran. At 138 lbs, Avery Lettman won by decision over Nate Pozzani. Robert Chenoweth, wrestling at 152 lbs, won by fall over Jackson Burk. At 170 lbs, Patrick Samon lost by fall to Cal Ries. Hunter Olson, at 220 lbs, lost by fall to Trey Grinke.

On January 30th, the Raiders went to a meet at Brodhead/Juda and lost 31-42.

Nathan Balderas, at 113 lbs, won by fall over Matthew McMullough. Brian Hollis, at 126 lbs, won by fall over Seth Mansfield. Joe Quaglia, at 132 lbs, won by major decision over Braden Erb. At 138 lbs, Avery Lettman won by fall over Mlorio Reyes. Robert Chenoweth, at 152 lbs, won by decision over Brian McCullough. At 170 lbs, Patrick Samon lost by fall to Cole Hoesly.

On Saturday, February 1st, Sugar River split the squad and wrestled at both the Wisconsin Dells Invitational and the River Ridge Tournament. The team wrestled tough at both venues, with many new wrestlers making great strides once again. While at the Dells, senior Robert Chenoweth secured the 100th victory of his high school wrestling career.

River Ridge Results

Nathan Balderas scored 11 team points and ended in 4th place. In round one, Balderas lost by decision to Riverdale's Nicholas Spiller. In round two, Balderas won by fall over Pecatonica/Argyle's Hunter Rodebaugh. In round three, Balderas lost by major decision to Dubuque Senior's Tysen Folk and in round four Balderas won by fall over Dubuque Senior's Hannah Reel. In round five, Balderas lost by fall to Iowa-Grant/Highland's Mason Welsh.

Alonso Vega ended up in 2nd place and scored 16 team points. In round one, Vega won by decision over Iowa-Grant/Highland's Dax Smelzer and in round two lost by fall to Darlington/Black Hawk's Cashton Hauser. In round three, Vega won by fall over Waunakee's Joe Kaney and in round four Vega won by decision over Cuba City/Benton/Southwestern's Lucas Blackbourn. In round five, Vega won by fall over River Ridge/Cassville's Ashley Williams.

Aiden Lietz placed 3rd and scored 15 team points. In round one, Lietz lost by decision to Waunakee's Scott Jezik and in round two lost by major decision to Darlington/Black Hawk's Richard Cruz. In round three, Lietz won by fall over River Valley's Bryce Their and in round four he won by fall over Dubuque Senior's Lucas Steffen. In round five, Lietz won by fall over Iowa-Grant/Highland's Matthew Grinde.

Patrick Samon placed 4th and scored 11 team points. In round one he lost by decision to Waunakee's Tyler Endres and in round two Samon lost by fall over Darlington/Black Hawk's Thomas Wessel. In round three, Samon won by fall over River Valley's Luke Pape and in round four lost in sudden victory to Lancaster's Brayden Mahr. In round five, Samon won by fall over Dubuque Senior's Thomas Hansen.

"At River Ridge, all wrestlers were able to score at least two wins in this round robin tournament," said Coach Peter Swenson. "Alonso Vega came out with as the top Raider with 2nd place. Newcomers Aiden Lietz and Patrick Samon have really taken great strides this season. Aiden won three matches to take home 3rd and Patrick won two matches, while dropping a very close over time match, to place fourth. The future of the program looks bright with these young wrestlers competing."

Wisconsin Dells Results

Wrestling at 126 lbs, Brian Hollis (13-11) placed 5th and scored 13 team points. In round one, Hollis won by fall over Berlin's Brooks Schultz and in round two, Hollis lost by fall to Grand Meadown/Le Roy-Ostrander/Kingsland's Wes Soltau. In round three, Hollis won by fall over Cashton's Hudson Bethke and in round four he won by decision over Hillsboro's Phillip Voltz. In the 5th place match, Hollis won by decision over Cedar Grove's Jackson DeRuyter.

Avery Lettman (10-13) wrestled at 138 lbs and scored 5 team points. In round one, Lettman won by decision over Berlin's Wyatt Miller and in round two he lost to Brillion's David Geiger. In round three, Lettman won by fall over Cashton's Kenneth Letterly and in round four he lost by fall to Kettle Moraine's Christopher Szczech.

Robert Chenoweth (25-9) placed 3rd and scored 17 team points, along with his 100th career win. Chenoweth received a bye in round one and in round two won by fall over Cedar Grove's Dylan Teunissen. In round three, Chenoweth lost by fall to Grand Meadown/Le Roy-Ostrander/Kingsland's Christian Jacobsen. In the 3rd place match, Chenoweth won by decision over Cashton's Tristan Grant.

"At Wisconsin Dells, three Raiders competed at the always tough varsity tournament. All members won at least two matches here as well. Leading the group was senior Robert Chenoweth, who went 3-1 on the day to take 3rd place. Robert's 3rd place win was also his 100th victory for his high school career," said Coach Swenson. "It's a great accomplishment to reach 100 victories in high school. Robert has been the example of hard work and dedication over that last four years. He has done everything right and I know he has higher goals to reach this season! Also going 3-1 on the day was senior Brian Hollis Jr. Brian wrestled his best tournament of the year and is wrestling his best at the right time of the season. Today, he really did a great job of riding his opponents and using the tilt to score points. I am looking forward to seeing him compete at the conference tournament and regionals. Rounding out the day, sophomore Avery Lettman went 2-2 on the day. Falling one match short of placing, Avery did a great job competing in every match. Even though Avery lost his last match, he battled great and was in the match all the way until the end. Those are the matches that we learn from."

The Raiders have a conference meet at home in Belleville on February 8th.