The Sugar River Raiders Youth Wrestling Club is building a strong program and it is an exciting time for the future of wrestling here in South Central Wisconsin. In March, the club had 13 of its wrestlers qualify for state.  Six of these wrestlers qualified for their first time and of the thirteen wrestlers who were state-bound, two were girls— demonstrating that not only the club members are talented, but also that the Sugar River Raiders Wrestling program is progressive.

Both Scarlett Youngs and Hope LaFrance qualified this year to go to state and for Scarlett, it was her second trip to challenge herself at the state level. Scarlett came away with 6th place at this year’s state competition which is a fantastic achievement as both a competitive wrestler and a female athlete. Wrestling has traditionally been a boys sport until the last few years, so seeing these two girls advance at this level is an exciting time for the club and the future of girls wrestling.

Coach Pete Swenson notes: “This year, two girls qualified for the state tournament. Both Scarlett Youngs and Hope LaFrance, are the future of girls wrestling for the Raiders! Scarlett is now a 2X state qualifier, with this year placing 6th and this was Hope’s first year. These girls are part of the rising trend of girls competing in wrestling. Both of them should be extremely proud of their accomplishments.”

Wrestling is an incredible sport in that it combines mental strategy with the necessary physical strength to succeed as an athlete and that takes training, coaching and a willingness to better oneself. Growth mindset is the name of the game and club members are ready for the challenge. To qualify for state competition, each wrestler had to place 6th or better, so sending thirteen youth to state is an incredible achievement for the Sugar River Raiders program. When you add that seven of the thirteen athletes saw at least their second trip to state this season, that achievement says a lot about the coaching these kids are receiving on their home mats

Most of these wrestlers have been practicing and competing since October.  

Coach Swenson stresses, “It’s great to see the hard work and dedication pay off for these wrestlers. The state tournament is a great experience for everyone. No matter how they finish this season, everyone should be proud of their efforts.”

At the state wrestling meet, the Raiders continued to shine with a 1st place victory for Gunnar Helwig; a 4th place achievement for Bronko Baer; 5th place for Madox Mau, and; 6th for Scarlett Youngs.  Seeing four club members perform this well at the state level is an incredible accomplishment for Coach Pete Swenson and his young athletes.  

District Administrator Nate Perry highlights, “At the same time that the youth state wrestling tournament was taking place, the district began remodeling the Community Room in the basement of the Elementary School. It will provide an appropriate space for wrestling practice- from youth up to the high school level- and should help the program with the resources it needs to grow.”

It is exciting to think about where this club and these young wrestlers will be in a few years if they keep facing off this strongly as they grow as athletes in a program that is here to support their goals and dreams.

— Marie Perry is the Communications Director for the School District of Belleville. She can be reached at perrym@belleville.k12.wi.us.