Northeast A League wrestling preview

It’s amazing the building job Chad Ripke has done at Freeman. Consider this – four years ago he had six wrestlers in the program, three years ago nine and two years ago 22, and last year he finished with 29. Turnout is up to 37 this season – although that number was down initially, until 14 from the state champion football team came out Monday. The Scotties won the league and district titles last year and are heavily favored to repeat. “We lost only three kids from last year and add a freshman class that has a lot of potential,” Ripke said. “We have an opportunity to be very competitive year in and year out for a while.”

Wrestlers to watch

Freeman returns state placers Markus Goldbach, the leading rusher on the football team and one of Goldbach’s blockers, Teigan Glidewell. … Lakeside hopes to challenge Freeman. The Eagles return placers Hootie Judd and Klint Brown. … Chewelah brings back one placer, Dustin Olson. … Newport’s lone state placer, Josiah Thompson, transferred to Freeman.