Pillager youth wrestlers busy

Pillager youth wrestlers Pictured above are members of the Pillager youth wrestling team and their coaches. Front row, from left: Drew Berent, Jacob Dobson, Quintin LaVeau, Grant Thompson, Brandon Krall, Robbie Orsburn, Jacob Dixon, Conner Anglin, Zach Macheel, Josh Freelove. Row two: Ben Krall, Tucker Peterson, CJ Orsburn, Gabe Grimsley, AJ Kauffmann, Gary Tank, Paul Freelove, Jacob Lewis, Reese Thompson, Gage Siewert. Row three: Blake Clark, Caleb Kramer, Jack Bentson, Wyatt Kidrowski, Kaleb Smith, Andy Putnam, Dalton Frazen, Eli Horn, Braden Kramer. Row four: Coaches Russ Holland, Brent Kramer, Eric Kramer and Don Fillbrandt. Not pictured: Colton Cain, Isaac Cain, Tucker Cain, Eric Lisson, Andy Schlosser, Bradyn Siewert, Christopher Ringler, Zion Loucks, Silas Wingert, Nathan Kolbo, Tucker Jensen, Garrett Wilmes, Coach Bryan Grimsley, Coach Rob Freelove, the Brainerd youth wrestlers. (Submitted photo) The Pillager youth wrestling team (a Pillager Community Ed. program) has been busy with individual and team competitions, says team coordinator Angie Kramer.

“This tough group of kids are loading up on hardware with an exceptional season,” Angie added.

So far, the team placed third at the Royalton Pick 10, was consolation runner-up at the Pierz dual team, first at the Pillager Open Pick 10, runner-up at the Becker dual team and runner-up at the Sauk Rapids duals.

“Soon, they will be competing in the NYWA dual team Region Five qualifier where they have the potential to wrestle at the youth state tournament in Rochester as a team and as individuals,” Angie said.

Most importantly, Angie emphasized, this group is all about having fun. “We recently had a spaghetti dinner for the Pillager team; and tomorrow we’re going to play dodge ball. They’ve won some awards, which is great; but these kids are also having a lot of fun along the way.”

The Brainerd youth wrestling team works with the Pillager program on occasion, which helps to enhance all of the programs.