Raider Wrestling wins District Championship

On Wednesday night, the Portland Raider Wrestlers hosted a Division 3 Team District where Central Montcalm, Belding and Lakewood all squared off. The first round of action included Lakewood edging Belding 42-36 and the Raiders handing Central Montcalm 78-6. The winners, Lakewood and Portland, then squared off in what would become an exciting, high-octane dual for a district championship.

Lakewood jumped out to a 6-point lead with two highly-contested and close wins at 125lbs and 130lbs. The Raiders then handled the next four matches with two pins and two decisions gaining a 22-6 lead. These matches were back-and-forth with wrestlers battling off of their back to victory! The rest of the dual was exciting, with many lead changes, pins and close matches. The gym was loud and a part of every minute of the action.

In the end, Lakewood needed two pins to tie the team score and couldn't make it happen, as the Raiders triumphed with a final score of 40-30 and the District Championship for the second year in a row! The Raiders also made program history as this is the first Raider Wrestling Team to win back-to-back League (CAAC White) and District (Division 3) Championships.

Look for the Raider Wrestlers in action again on Saturday at individual districts and again Wednesday for Team Regionals where both events are hosted by Alma High School.

Photos courtesy of Renae Goodman.