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2017-18 Wrestling Season Preview

By Coach Willaert, 11/08/17, 2:45PM CST

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The Raiders Wrestling Team is literally gearing up for a new season. A new rule from the National Federation of State High School Associations allows wrestlers to wear a compression shirt and combat shorts, rather than the typical singlet. The Raiders are all on board with several returning wrestlers and at least a dozen new wrestlers who are excited about the new uniforms. Many current wrestlers plan to continue wearing singlets but are also excited about the energy and enthusiasm this change will bring to the program.

This year’s squad will be lead by captains Javen Guzik-McNeil, Drew Kampmeier, Max Steigauf, Edmundo Villalva Lijo, and Danny Vrtis.

They have a tough task in front of them to meet the expectations set by recent seasons. The Raiders have had six individual state entrants in the past four years and at least one participant every year in that span. The last time such a streak occurred was from 1976 to 1979. If at least one wrestler qualifies for state this season, it would be the first ever five-year streak in school history.

The Varsity team is also on a four-year streak of earning a Gold All-State Academic Award from the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association for having a composite grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

CDH is also excited to be hosting two big events in February. On February 3, the Raiders will host the 3rd Annual Michael Carlson Memorial Duals with 12 teams participating on six mats in both gyms. National powerhouse Apple Valley headlines a challenging field of teams that includes Forest Lake, Stillwater, Eden Prairie, Lakeville South, Wayzata, Fridley, Redwood-River Valley, Totino-Grace, Sartell-St. Stephen, and Minneapolis Washburn. Then on Friday, February 16, CDH will host the Section 3AAA Team Championships – a ten-team single-elimination tournament where the winning team qualifies for the State Tournament at the Xcel Energy Center. We are looking for parents and alumni to volunteer at both events. Please contact Coach Willaert if you are able to help out.

Finally, the Raiders would like to extend an invitation to all wrestling alumni from the Classes in the 1960s - 2017 to attend Alumni Night on Friday, December 1. CDH will take on Woodbury at home with a social to follow at Shamrock’s on West 7th Street.