Raiders see eight out for wrestling; bring back one State Qualifier
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2022-23 Raider Wrestling Team
Front row: Nathan Mederos, Allen Jennings, Conlee Stark
Second row: Tegan Hill, Payton Gregg, Natalie Schaefer, Xavier Bautista
Third row: Assistant coach John Ford, Bracken Collier, Tate Schaefer, Brock Shaha, head coach Kevin Trullinger
Raider wrestling is under new leadership this season, with coach Kevin Trullinger taking the helm after co-head coaches Eric Ehlen and John Ford resigned at the conclusion of last season.
Trullinger has been around the program for many years as an assistant and prior to coaching, Trullinger was a star Raider wrestler and perennial state wrestling participant throughout his high school career before going on to wrestle collegiatly.
Trullinger will return state participant Brock Shaha, a sophomore, while a host of new talent will take to the mat this season.
After graduating seniors Brayden Swietlik and Keaton White, the Raiders return only one from the 2021-22 season, in Shaha.
Another notable loss this season for Mount Ayr is Jaydon Knight, eighth place finisher at the State Tournament last season.
Knight has decided to hang up the singlet and focus on football, planning to attend Iowa State University with the ultimate goal of playing for the Cyclones.
The wrestlers filled seven weights last year, while filling eight this season, a nice trend in the battle to fill weights which is important to the team battle this season.
Joining the team this season is Nathan Mederos, Allen Jennings, Conlee Stark, Tegan Hill, Xavier Bautista, Bracken Collier and Tate Schaefer.
Payton Gregg and Natalie Schaefer will be managers for this season for the Raiders.
Wrestling gets a little later start than other sports during the winter season, with the first meet coming on December 1 for the Raiders as they head to Corning to face Clarke, Southwest Valley, East Mills and Shenandoah, with a start time of 5 p.m.
The State Tournament will be held at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, February 15-18, 2023.
