Raiders capture WaMaC title among competitive field

VAN HORNE — The WaMaC conference is no joke when it comes to wrestling, especially this season, with six teams ranked and headed to regional duals Tuesday in Class 2A.

The Williamsburg boys’ wrestling team performed impressively; all 14 wrestlers finished in the top eight to capture the conference team title Saturday in Van Horne.

The Raiders’ 225.5 team points cleared Independence’s second-place finish by 30 points.

“Honestly, it was something we didn’t even talk about, and we weren’t even thinking of a team title,” Williamsburg coach Grant Eckenrod said. “We just wanted to come out of this tournament healthy and with some mat time against great competition.”

All 14 wrestlers placed, and six made the finals.

Hayden Albaugh, at 120-pounds, won by tech fall over Benton’s Garrett Kuch in the final for the Raiders’ lone individual champion.

The Raiders’ other finalists were Riker DeWitt (106), Lincoln Schropp (126), Nile Sinn (150), Brady Grier (157) and Ethan Prior (165).

The team title marks the first in Coach Eckenrod’s career with the Raiders.

“I am extremely proud of our kids,” said Eckenrod. “Hopefully, we can carry this momentum into the post season.”

The Raiders will be hosting a regional dual Tuesday with the winner advancing to the State Dual tournament Saturday at Xtream Arena in Coralville.