Pinning and winning was the goal of the Palisade wrestling team as they made their way to state. This February 13th through the 15th, the Palisade boys wrestling team, along with Violet Grey from the girls D51 Phoenix wrestling team, faced state and gave it their absolute all as they have worked all season for this tournament. This year’s state tournament was hosted at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. This has been a memorable season for wrestlers and coaches, with the team bonding through conquering each challenge with determination and willpower. Teagan Young and Kadin Mulford made 2nd place, Eli Bency placed 3rd, and Tobyn Trottier placed 5th. Also, from the girls D51 Phoenix wrestling team, Violet Grey placed 3rd place in the State tournament.
Sophomore Kadin Mulford has been wrestling for ten years and wrestles in the 132 weight class. Mulford states, “I think that I did pretty good at the tournament. I didn’t get the place that I was hoping for but I had fun.” Mulford works hard each year and gives it his all every time he gets onto the mat or is even practicing. Mulford took second place in the tournament and will keep working to reach first place at next year’s state tournament. “My biggest strength that I have built up would have to be my knowledge of wrestling and the IQ of it,” mentions Mulford.
Junior Tobyn Trottier has been wrestling since he was around six years old, and now wrestles in the heavyweight class. Trottier states, “I think that our team did as well or even better than was expected of them. I think that I did pretty well at the tournament and am proud of the way that I performed.” Trottier has been wrestling for Palisade all three years of his high school career, and has been becoming a stronger, better wrestler with each year that he has wrestled.
Junior Teagan Young has been wrestling for ten years, and now wrestles for Palisade in the 120 weight class. Wrestling is a very important pillar in Young’s life, and he has been becoming a better wrestler with each year that he has gone out to do the sport he loves. Young states, “I think that our biggest strength as a team would have to be not giving up, and pushing through the challenges.” Young is known for his amazing wrestling ability, and has enjoyed the memories and the wins that have come with these three years he has wrestled for Palisade. “I would have to say that my favorite memory from wrestling with the team would have to be having fun and swimming when we would get snowed in at away tournaments,” states Young.
This year the Palisade Wrestling team has been fixing their flaws and becoming better and stronger as a team, as well as individually. This has been a successful year for the wrestling team and the team is hoping to get better with the years to come. Congratulations on the successful turnout of this year’s wrestling season Bulldogs!
