Team Idaho wins big at Fargo

FARGO, North Dakota —- Bonners Ferry wrestlers Eli Richards and Savannah Rickter and the rest of Team Idaho’s national wrestling team are competing in Fargo, North Dakota, at the 2022 U.S. Marine Corps 16U & Junior Nationals.

The freestyle part of the tournament took place on July 16.

Richards competed in the Junior Freestyle competition at the 182-pound weight class against 127 competitors. He beat Matthew Gazda of Arizona, before falling to Watson Reed of Missouri. Richards came back strong in his next matches, defeating a wrestler from Kentucky and another from Massachusetts. Richards finished his last round, falling to Chase Cordia of Missouri.

The Idaho Junior Boys Freestyle team finished fourth, which is the highest placement in Idaho history, USA Idaho Wrestling officials said. It was also the first time there was an all-Idaho finals match and the most finalists ever for Idaho.

Savannah Rickter competed in the junior women freestyle competition at the 152-pound weight class against 63 competitors. She went 1-2. She beat Abrey Reese of Ohio, 7-6 before falling to Rose Cassioppi of Illinois and Frances Porteous of Washington. Cassioppi went on to the quarter finals, but fell to S. Steilgar from Virginia, who went on to the finals.

The Greco Roman part of the competition started Wednesday morning, but due to the publication deadline the results will be in the next edition of the Bonners Ferry Herald.