The St. Louis High School wrestling team hosted both Clare and Gladwin Dec. 7 in the Shark Tank for the first home meet of the season—the Jack Pine Conference Crossover.
This home meet was significant for the Sharks as they not only got to bring the triumph spirit to their home gym but since it was also the biggest fan night for the varsity team. The wrestlers at St. Louis host a this event for their varsity team instead of a parent’s night.
It was clear the Sharks had high expectations, especially with the number one fans watching. “We’ll do good because that’s what you’re expected to do, and if we underperform it won’t be good,” as Brayden Geer, a sophomore on varsity, puts it.
The Sharks did not disappoint their number one fans, defeating first Clare with a 75-6 and then Gladwin with 48-18. It was during a match against Gladwin that Laythan Haworth also obtained his 100th win with a pin in 22 seconds.“It feels pretty good since it is a nice milestone,” Haworth explains. He has been wrestling for seven years, and as a senior at St. Louis this, was Haworth’s last high school home meet. “It’s sad especially being here since freshmen year through all the different teammates I’ve experienced,” he laments. His number one fan that night was his mom.
Caiden Ramirez is a freshman on varsity this year which is exceptional considering how highly ranked the Sharks are. “Hardwork, dedication, and being the only one in my weight class is what it took,” Ramirez explains. Having his mom and his step dad present as his number one fans he says, “I felt really motivated, energized. I wanted to give a good show to the home fans.” He achieved that by winning 16-1 against his Gladwin opponent. Ramirez aspires to wrestle all four years of high school, make it to state, and bring wins to St. Louis.
Tiger Russell says after his last home meet of his seventh year wrestling, “I like it but at the same time I don’t like it because seniors in past years have gotten more [home meets] .But I think it’ll be a good one.” A good one it was with Russell gaining a victory against his Clare opponent via a quick pin..
This meet was a very fulfilling meet for the Sharks’ wrestling team both in spirit and victory.
