Trojan Wrestling Starts Season Strong

Atlantic-CAM faced Underwood and attended a tournament the next day, coming out on top both times.

Caroline Pellett

Junior Kadin Stutzman wrestles a Glenwood opponent at last year’s Hawkeye-10 meet. Stutzman was one of the individual champion at the Joe Fitch tournament this year.

Molly McFadden, Editor
December 7, 2020

The Atlantic-CAM Trojans kicked off their wrestling season with a home dual against the Underwood Eagles on Thursday, Dec. 3. The Trojans took the win with a score of 39-34. In an important match of the night, senior Devin McKay, wrestling at 220, won 6-4 in overtime against Thomas Huneke. “I knew I had to come back and that it could be important, so I set a mentality to try and outwork my opponent to make up some ground,” McKay said. This triumph helped secure the Trojan’s team victory. “The team is leaving it out on the mat and battling not to give up extra points.”

On Dec. 4 Atlantic-CAM made the trip to Humboldt to compete in the annual Joe Fitch Tournament. Leaving the tournament as individual champions were senior Joe Weaver, wrestling at 126, and juniors Ethan Follmann, 120, and Kadin Stutzman, 170. The Trojans won the Joe Fitch Tournament Title with a score of 236. Getting second was Sheldon/South O’Brien who scored 234 points and Humboldt took third with 227. The Trojan’s tournament win can be attributed to their successful final round where Atlantic-CAM went 12-2. McKay said, “Everyone is going out and competing for the team, which is a really nice atmosphere to be around.”

Atlantic’s girls wrestling program traveled with the boys to compete in Humboldt as well. Wrestling for the Trojans were seniors Mia Trotter and Brianna Wilson, juniors Lexie Trotter and Carina Birkle, and freshman Mollie Gill. Capturing wins at the meet were M. Trotter, L. Trotter, Birkle, and Gill. M. Trotter said, “I think I wrestled pretty well for it being my first match. I mean, I pinned both of my girls, so can’t really complain there.” She said her strategy is to remind herself that she can control the match and to stay in good positions. M. Trotter hopes that the girls will learn more moves throughout the season and continue to work on their defense. “I think we were well conditioned and did very well for it being most of our first time ever wrestling,” she said.

The Trojans will compete in a double dual against AHSTW, Creston, and Red Oak on Dec. 8. This meet will be held in Atlantic and will be live streamed for those interested in watching.