Raider Wrestling Falls to Eaton Rapids

On Wednesday night, Raider Wrestling battled against Eaton Rapids in the CAAC White Division during their Night of Gratitude and Senior Recognition Night events.

The night started off with Portland wrestlers nominating and then giving a gift to a person in the Portland community that has made a significant positive impact on their lives. Coach Pulling commented, “Our Night of Gratitude is about appreciating those people doing good in our community, this event was started by Coach Holdren is always exciting, positive and necessary.”

After the wrestlers passed out their gifts, the night went into recognizing Portland’s five senior wrestlers and their families: Andrew Pace, Jared Thelen, Marty Thelen, Dillon Vroman and Cal Wittenbach. “Senior recognition is more than a gift and a carnation,” Coach Pulling noted, “it is taking time to acknowledge these guys’ careers, maturity and growth in the world’s toughest but most rewarding sport and to appreciate their parents’ support and unconditional love. It’s important.”

After the events, the wrestling began. Despite tough and, for the most part, competitive matches throughout the night, the raiders lost 22-46 moving their record to 15-7 as a team. Coach Pulling noted, “We knew it would be a battle for every match point. Our guys that worked every second of the match were rewarded with match wins or saving team points. We can do better, but I don’t want to focus on our problem when we had big wins by Carter Johnson, Drew Miller, Isaiah Pelc and senior Dillon Vroman tonight. It takes a team with stars that can shine.”

Catch the Raider Wrestlers at the Wagon Wheel on Tuesday, February 4th from 4:30-9p for their 20% fundraiser night, and

At home on Wednesday, February 12th for Team Districts against the winner of Lakewood and Belding against Eaton Rapids.

Photo courtesy of Renae Goodman.