HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Raiders carry momentum into district wrestling

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By Travis Gorsch, Williamsburg senior

WILLIAMBURG - The Williamsburg Raider wrestling team crowned four champions and six runner ups at the sectional meet in Tiffin last Saturday.

These 10 qualifiers will compete in districts in Fairfield on Saturday.

The Raiders scored 229 points. claiming first place over the Washington Demons by 12.5 points. Both teams advanced to the regional Duals in Williamsburg on Tuesday. Williamsburg upset the Union Knights in the first round, then lost to Denver-Tripoli in the final.

Williamsburg qualified eight straight weight classes at districts,  spanning from 126 through 182 pounds. The Raiders also advanced wrestlers in the last two weight classes, 220 and 285 pounds.

The Raiders got championships from Aaron Schultz, JC Vercande, Spencer Dale and Corbin Blythe. Cody Marine and Garrett Harrison finished second without having to wreslte back.  Dillon Blythe, Cody Severns, Travis Gorsch and Trevor Knepper all battled through adversity to win their wrestle back and qualify for districts.

Out of Williamsburg's 10 qualifiers six are seniors. Vercande, ranked third at 145, has qualified for the individual state tournament three times, placing in all three trips. As a freshman, he finished eighth and  followed that with two sixh place finishes.  Senior  Knepper and sophomore Schultz qualified for the state tournament last year but did not place. Blythe, a junior  ranked fourth, hopes to make his first appearance in Des Moines.

Vercande (174-27),  Dale (142-53),  Knepper (135-56) and  Gorsch (115-65) have combined for 566 wins over their careers. Junior Marine (96-45) looks to be the next in line to reach the 100 win milestone for career wins.

Williamsburg's district lineup

Weight- Name (Record) Grade Sectional Finish

126- Aaron Schultz (32-12) SO Champion

132- Trevor Knepper (42-6) SR Runner Up

138- Cody Marine (23-11) JR Runner Up

145- #3 JC Vercande (45-1) SR Champion

152- Spencer Dale (37-10) SR Champion

160- Travis Gorsch (41-6) SR Runner Up

170- Cody Severns (22-22) SR Runner Up

182- Garrett Harrison (16-11) SR Runner Up

220- #4 Corbin Blythe (42-3) JR Champion

285- Dillon Blythe (28-17) JR Runner Up