School is back in session and the FHC wrestling team did not waste a second getting down to business. The team faced off against thirteen teams in the West Catholic Dunneback Tournament on Saturday, January 7, at 9 a.m. 

“I think the team wrestled very well yesterday, we started off a little slow but we fought back and won the entire tournament.” senior Michael Campbell recalled.

The Rangers had a jam-packed day of wrestling taking on East Kentwood, Unity Christian, Hudsonville, Allegan, Forest Hills Eastern, Watervliet, Belding Area, West Catholic, Newaygo, Ottawa Hills, Forest Hills Northern, Kelloggsville, and finally, Rockford to kick off the new year in style. Although the season has been rocky so far for FHC, the boys knew what they had to do to improve on past mistakes and make a statement against some of the top teams in the state. 

“Our wrestlers came out and wrestled with heart today and we made a great memory as a team,” head coach Brad Anderson said. “We’ve been battling illness and injury and so this is the first time we’ve had our core wrestlers back at the same time. Winning the Dunneback title is proof that we are a competitive team in the area.”

Not only did the Rangers exceed expectations, but they made quite the scene after a break over the holidays. It was a break that proved to have no effect on the teams performance. 

“The team did really good coming in first place as a team. We also had many placers and overall it was a really good day for the Rangers.” junior Alex Korff said. 

With a strong overall win by 14.5 points over East Kentwood in second, the Rangers came with even more excitement for the day; Ashley Schenck, Ashlyn Hess, Blake Jacobs, Greyson Ripmaster, and Landon Cooke all snatched first-place titles for their weight classes proving that FHC has no lack of talent and isn’t afraid to get to work when needed. Having five first-place finishes overall with multiple competitive teams, this was a huge accomplishment for the Rangers and a fantastic way to start off the new year. 

“It was great to see our hard work pay off,” coach Anderson said. “A lot of these wrestlers have poured quite a bit of time into the sport, and days like today make it all worth it.”

The excitement is roaring through the FHC community after this strong victory by the Rangers, but the season can only get better from here. Next week on Saturday, January 14, at 9 a.m., the boys team travels to East Kentwood for the EK Quad against East Kentwood, Fremont, and Kalamazoo Central to continue its victory streak, while the girls will be at Northview High School, with the time to be determined, they hope to come out with a win against the Wildcats. 

“Everyone put in the effort and fought for the best place possible. It was a fun meet with some good competition.” junior All-State Ashley Schneck stated.