Anselmo-Merna Wrestling A-M ends up sending three to State
The 2020-2021 wrestling season was anything but simple for the Anselmo-Merna Wrestling Team.
Injuries continued to pile on top of each other and forced younger wrestlers to take varsity spots. The Coyotes underclassmen rose to the challenge and helped A-M win several duals and helped them be competitive at almost every meet they competed in.
“Despite the injuries we had to endure, the wrestlers showed true toughness,” A-M Coach Caleb Franklin said. “Coming back from injuries can be hard at times but the boys were still able to wrestle at a high level despite some of the nagging injuries. We are blessed to have great parents and trainers that allowed them to come back quickly and safely so that the boys could continue their seasons.”
Heading into the district meet the Coyotes had Tristan Olson at 106 pounds, Zane Druery at 113 pounds, Jadon Wells at 132 pounds, Tyce
Porter at 145 pounds, Zane Kreikemeier at 160 pounds, Tayte Thornton at 182 pounds, and Sid Miller at 195 pounds. Out of those seven wrestlers, Olson and Porter finished fourth and Miller ended up as a district champion.
At the state meet, it was a learning experience for A-M whose three wrestlers were either a freshman or sophomore. The only one who was a returning state qualifier was Sid Miller.
Overall, the Coyotes went 1-6 at the Class D State Wrestling Meet. The only wrestler who picked up a win was Olson.
“We had three young wrestlers earn great experience this year at the state tournament,” Franklin said. “Porter and Olson both were firsttime qualifiers and Miller was a 2-x qualifier, and although their seasons didn’t end as they wanted, the experience they garnered will be great building blocks as we head into next season. Having three guys in the room with that experience will help create a standard that we want to keep building on as the years go on here at A-M. They will be great leaders for us in the practice room.”