Raiders Finish Second At 2nd Annual Ridgeview JV Invitational

    The Orange Park Raider JV wrestling team finished second at Ridgeview's 2nd Annual JV Invitational.  With a team of 18 wrestlers, 12 wrestlers placed. 

"For most of these kids it was there first match ever," Head JV Coach Bill Wiltsie said.  "It was great to see all the hours of practice pay off.  We got maximum effort from every wrestler.  Other than a few, easily correctable mistakes, they look really, really good.  These guys have to understand they are the future of Orange Park Wrestling."

    Finishing first for the Orange Park Raiders were Levi Duvall at 140 lbs and Karl Ehrman at 160 lbs.  Duvall finished with two pins on the day, while Ehrman picked up a pin in the finals in a mere 59 seconds. "Those two stepped it up in the finals," Coach Wiltsie said. "They both had tough semi-finals matches, winning by points, but in the finals they wrestled at a higher level and were able to help their team with bonus points."

    Finishing second for the Raiders were Bryan Somera (125 lbs), Zach Handres (189 lbs), Ryan Lutins (215 lbs) and Kimani Leecan (285 lbs).  "This was the first high school tournament for most of these guys," Wiltsie said.  "So for them to wrestle to the finals is a testament to the hard work they've put in since the season started.  Somera lost to a wrestler who, while a freshman, will probably qualify for the state tournament.  Handres was a pleasant surprise.  He is really a game-day wrestler.  He stepped it up from the opening whistle.  Lutins is a kid with great, great potential.  Once he figures out how to wrestle at this level on an every match basis, he'll be great for us.  Leecan finished second at 285 and weighed in at 217 lbs.  When you talk about team player, you talk about Leecan.  If he doesn't wrestle at heavyweight, we don't place second."

    Freshman Richard Brown (160 lbs) was the team's lone third-place finisher.  "You always want to finish the day with a win," Wiltsie said. "Richard has come a long, long way.  He wrestles without fear and what little technique he has, he does well."

    The following wrestlers finished fourth in their respective weight classes: Jonathon Ellis (135 lbs), Tommy Li (140 lbs), Alex Harmon (152 lbs), Shannon Smith (160 lbs) and Derrick Brinson (171 lbs). "Placing fourth is tough," Wiltsie said. "But nonetheless, these kids wrestled hard."

    The Orange Park Raiders next wrestle a dual at Poinciana High School on Tuesday.

    All results can be seen at www.trackwrestling.com.