MYWAY wrestlers bring home state successes!

The Manchester Wrestling Club sent 16 qualifiers to the MYWAY State Tournament on March 29-31, and seven medalists brought home state honors.

Qualifiers included Piper Fry, Danny Steinman, Carter Steinman, Caleb Benedict, CJ Porter, Vince Budd, Vince Klapperich, Jacob Gautz, Kameron Mahoney, Gunner Carson, Adam Grebe, Dom Kelley, Zachary Jarels, Marcus Grebe, Ben Gautz, and Elijah Ratliff.

Piper Fry and Zachary Jarels both placed as state champions in their respective classes. CJ Porter earned second-place; Gunner Carson and Jacob Gautz received fourth-place medals; Ben Gautz got fifth place; and Kameron Mahoney received eight-place honors.

Head Coach David Bearce said, “I was really pleased with the way all of our kids wrestled at the state tournament. There were over 3,300 competitors from 279 teams this year so it really is a big stage for those kids and they are truly facing the best wrestlers from across the state.”

Bearce continued, “Also, competing in the Girls division on Sunday were Piper Fry, Phoenix Waters, and Roseanna Waters. Piper finished as state champion, improving on her runner up finish from last year. Phoenix Waters lost a tough match 3-2 in the first round to the eventual champion, but was able to wrestle all the way back to finish third.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our kids,” he concluded. “Wrestling is a very physically and mentally demanding sport, especially for the younger group. It is nice to see them get rewarded for the last 4 months of hard work they have put in.”

Assistant coaches for the club are Dan Fleck and Corey Johnson.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.