This past weekend our Raiders competed in the first wrestling tournament in Randolph School history at the 39th annual Huntsville Invitational at Huntsville High School.  Not shy about facing stiff competition, the Raiders jumped in with both feet, competing against 28 teams converging from all over the state of Alabama and Tennessee in one of the largest tournaments that will be wrestled in Alabama all year.  All rookies on the mat, our 5 competing athletes (Eli Isbell, Tanner Wright, Carter Pollack, George Jennings, and Race Wright) battled commendably posting a combined record of 6-16. Race (9th grade/#170lbs) and George (8th grade/#182lbs) had the toughest paths competing against veteran juniors and seniors.

Coach Williams had this to say about putting his athletes up against such tough competition right out of the gate, “I am not interested in padding our records by competing against lesser opponents. We are interested in improving at the maximum possible rate, and that is achieved by seeking out the toughest competition you can find and battling until the last second… and that’s exactly what our guys did.”

Race Wright had the most impressive showing posting 3 wins. “Race is an incredible athlete with a judo background. The guy can really wrestle!” Also Carter Pollack (8th/#135lbs) earned 2 victories, and 7th grader Eli Isbell (#165lbs) showed he meant business with a pin in his first match. “I am very pleased with our progress. All of us are working very hard every day to win state championships in the future. Randolph should expect big things from this wrestling team,” – Coach Williams.   View Photos in Vidigami.