Wrestlers start at home

The wrestling season began for the Wildcats with the Custer Invitational Tournament, held Friday and Saturday. Eight wrestlers finished in the top 10 in their weight classes, earning Custer the sixth spot in team results. Clayton Wahlstrom (160), Clay Seidler (195) and Mike Murray (220) finished second, Casey Seidler (145) finished fourth while Chasen Cole (120) finished fifth. Sloan Shorb placed seventh, Cody Herman placed fifth and Tabin Elmore (126) also placed in the top 10.

“I thought we would get more out of the lighter weights,” said Jared Webster, head coach. “I expected more but didn’t get it out of them yet. There’s lots of time to get that figured out.”

Webster said he was happy with the heavier weights and their performance.

“Kids who lost to opponents last year came close to beating them in matches, so I was happy with that,” he said. “They looked good and really stepped up.”

Webster was impressed with Wahlstrom, who lost to a top-ranked Nebraskan wrestler by only one point.

“I was really impressed with that,” he said. “I’m also really happy and impressed with the newer kids. They showed a lot of heart. When they were on their backs, they got up and went for the pin. I was very impressed.”

Webster said the team needs to improve on technique, intensity and front headlocks.

“Our killer instinct wasn’t there on lightweights, but it was with the heavyweights,” he said. “We just need to keep going at it.”