*Update: Due to illness, the team will no longer be competing at Stayton on Saturday.
To kick off the new season Elmira-Crow wrestling held their intra-squad meet on Dec. 3.
The team was split into two teams, purple and gold. There were 18 matches, with 11 being challenge matches for a varsity spot in their weight class. The purple team won 60 to 46.
Coach Justin Peeler is feeling good about the wrestling season after seeing the intra-squad meet.
“I felt like it went really well,” Peeler told Falcon News. “The kids all worked hard and I felt like they showed that.”
The coach also pointed out the standout wrestlers for the season, being seniors Shahailey Rogers and Zane Clemmer, junior Caetlyn Lillie, and sophomores Tristyn Bell, Tanner Christiance, Tucker Christiance and Jonah Cooper.
(Photos by EHS coach Derek French)
The wrestlers went on the road to Churchill High School on Dec. 7 for the Kenny Cox Memorial tournament.
The Falcons showed up ready to compete, with the boys placing second overall out of 15 teams and the girls placing fifth out of 14.
The boys team had one champion and 7 placers: Clemmer at heavyweight with 1st place, junior Braiden Agnes at heavyweight with 2nd, Cooper at 215 with 2nd, Tucker at 215 with 5th, junior Marvin Hambrick at 190 with 4th, junior Judah Larsen at 150 with 5th, Bell at 144 with 2nd and sophomore Thaddius Mason at 132 with 5th.
The girls team had four placers: sophomore Jezianne Carroll at 190 with 4th place, Lillie at 170 with 3rd, Rogers at 120 with 4th, and sophomore Haedyn Hill at 120 with 3rd.
(Photos by EHS coach Derek French)
Peeler is hoping for the boys to place second in the regional competition, and for more athletes to get to state this year for both boys and girls.
This season, Elmira was able to get a few duals to host at home, including the boys special district 2 championship, which was held at Sheridan High School last year.
The Falcons traveled to Junction city Dec. 11 for a 4-way dual against Creswell, Springfield, and Junction City.
Dec. 13 the team traveled to the North Bend Coast Classic hosted at North Bend High School for a two day tournament. The Falcons had two athletes place in the tournament: Clemmer at 285 with 6th place and Hill at 115 with 4th place.
The team was supposed to wrestle at Sweet Home Duals on Wednesday, but was unable to go due to an outbreak of sickness across the team.
The team will travel to Stayton High School for duals on Saturday. Matches start at 10 a.m.