Richards and Rickter honored at Senior Night
BONNERS FERRY — Wrestlers Eli Richards and Jackson Rickter were honored at senior night on Feb. 8.
“I have no doubt these kids will be successful in anything they do in life, because they finish what they started,” said head coach Kevin Campbell. “They did it right and they stuck with it.”
This pair have been wrestling since they were little kids and have traveled all across the country to wrestle, Campbell said, adding they have been everywhere, chasing their dreams to wrestle. Last year, both Richards and Rickter competed in the 2021 USA Wrestling Junior and 16U National Championship in Fargo, N.D.
“They earned everything they are accomplishing, they did it right, because they put in the time, the work and their best,” Campbell said.
Eli Richards was presented with his family. His sport accolades include four-year football letterman, two-year all-league linebacker, track and field pole vault and relay’s state qualifier. He also enjoys hunting and fishing.
He has many great wrestling memories, including traveling the country, wrestling freestyle and greco while making friends all over and having a huge wrestling family, he said. Accomplishments he is most proud of is winning state and placing at nationals.
His advice to future players is to wrestle freestyle and greco, lift plenty of weights, travel and have fun. After high school, Richards plans to go to college wrestling and pursue a degree in criminal justice.
“Action” Jackson Rickter was presented with his sister Savannah and his parents Kristie and Stan. His sports and hobbies of interest include football, freestyle and greco wrestling and working on his Nissan.
His favorite memory of Badger wrestling was when he set off the fire alarm in a hotel at the Cadet Duals, he said. An accomplishment he is most proud of is going to nationals and winning a match, and placing at state.
His advice to future players is that Coach Campbell is afraid of belly buttons, use that to your advantage.
Jackson’s plans after high school are to go on wrestling in college and pursue a criminal justice and forensic science degree.
Campbell said the pair’s success is due to the time and commitment they have given to the sport.
“The success they’ve had on the mat in four years of high school is a direct result of the effort and work they have put in,” he said.
Both Richards and Rickter are going to the state tournament at Idaho State University in Pocatello. Campbell said he expects both to be in the finals.
