Raider Wrestlers stay undefeated in CAAC while battling with the best teams in the state

The Raider Wrestlers started their January off hot! They currently are undefeated in league matchups (2-0 in CAAC White) defeating J.W. Sexton (59-22) and Charlotte (66-6) in dominant fashion. In league crossovers (where teams outside of league divisions compete) the Raiders are nearly perfect by recently ousting East Lansing (69-12) and Division 1 #8th ranked Holt (43-34). This is the first time in Raider Wrestling History the Raiders have beaten the Rams!

The Fastest pins went to sophomore Mason McGregor recording his pin against J.W. Sexton in :18 and Branson Goodman against East Lansing recording his pin in :32!

Against Charlotte the team recorded 8 pins where Branson Goodman secured his pin in just :22 and then again earned the fastest pin against Holt, defeating his opponent in just :25!

The Raiders then traveled to their region-rival Alma for 5 duals. There they continued their hot streak beating Caledonia (64-12), Midland Dow (63-10) and Alma (43-33) for the first time in 15 years. Portland and Alma have a short- and long-time rivalry as they have battled in regional finals for the last 2 years with Portland coming up short. These 3 straight wins qualified them for the championship bracket where they lost back to back duals to Division 3 #7 ranked Kingsley (30-46) and Division 4 #3 ranked St. Louis (39-29).

Coach Andy Pulling was smiling regarding his team’s week of wrestling, “We knew this week was going to be a tough one with high levels of competition from good teams and programs. I love that our team battles, regardless of what is going on, who is in the lineup or who we are wrestling. These guys mentally prepare, focus on what they can control and work hard to get their job done. They are exciting to watch and to coach. They are just a great group of individuals doing things our program has not experienced before.”

Catch the Raider Wrestlers in action at home on Wednesday January 18th from 5:30-8:30pm for Senior night and more CAAC action!