Ferris, Grebin win gold at Howells-Dodge

Eight letter winners return to the Bobcat wrestling squad for the 2020-21 season.

Coach Dan Roeber expects Anthony Ferris, Alex Thiele, Rafe Grebin, Eli Thiele, Alex Arroyo, Colton Thiele, Wyatt Chipps and Logan Mueller to lead the team.

Other team members include Daley Bearinger, Jesse Thiele, Spencer Kester, Kendrick Schroeder, Tyler Bellar, Christian Behnk, Melany Mendoza, Julie Olivan, Ammy Arroyo and Calissa Kester.

In preparing for the season, Roeber and his company of coaches, including Paul Kester, Anthony Kester and Austin Pokorny, have reminded team members they need to be ready to wrestle when presented the chance.

"We may not get any more," Roeber said. "The seniors have been a great help in getting the team focused and keeping athletes doing the right things outside of school to not jeopardize their final year."

The team has been able to work out every day since practices began Nov. 16.

"We have a few more protocols in place ... as far as wrestling goes, we have skin checks every day, we clean and disinfect our areas multiple times a day. That really isn't anything new for our sport."

On Dec. 3, wrestlers began their season by hosting a triangular against Wayne and Wisner-Pilger, in Orchard.

The Gators slipped past the Bobcats, 36-30, in the first round. Wayne downed W-P, 54-12, in the second round and the Blue Devils handled Summerland, 54-24, in the third dual.

On Saturday, Summerland competed in the Howells-Dodge Invite and finished third, behind the host school and Oakland-Craig.

Anthony Ferris finished first in the 113-pound division; Jesse Thiele placed third at 120; Rafe Grebin claimed gold and Alex Thiele, silver in the 126 class; Eli Thiele ended second in the 132-pound class; Alex Arroyo placed third and Kendrick Schroeder finished sixth in the 160 class and Wyatt Chipps brought home silver in the 220 class.

In the girls 158 class, Julie Olivan finished sixth and Melany Mendoza, seventh.