November 2007: South Valley Journal

RHS Wrestlers Prepare for a Strong Season
by Suzanne Gehring

Riverton High School wrestlers were region champions two years ago, though last season they battled their way to third in the region. They have stayed strong in the state championships, placing in the top 10 the last five years and finishing as high as fourth. Coach Russ Crump said he expects this to be a rebuilding year, with no returning state placers and only 70 out of the usual 100 wrestlers who have signed up.

“The team has a good work ethic this year and what they lack in experience, they make up in conditioning and determination to make it happen,” he said. “They're fast learners and are picking things up pretty well.”

To kick off the season and help motivate the team for their fi rst preseason match against Alta, Gold Medalist Olympian Wrestler Rulon Gardner from Star Valley, Wyo. spoke to the team and appeared at its inter-squad black-purple meet Nov. 20.

The goal for the team this year is to have five or six wrestlers place in the top five or six in the state championship and for half of them to place at the top in the region. The competitors Crump hopes to fill those spots include Ammon Neilson, the only senior heavyweight, Eli Fielden, the only team wrestler in the 215-pound weight division, student body president Dallas Osborn, in the 125-pound division, and junior Eric Briggs in the 189-pound division. Crump said Briggs is one of the team's strongest wrestlers.

“Were doing a lot of conditioning for the start of the year,” Fielden said. “Not a lot of other teams are as conditioned, so we want to be the best team and be able to go the whole round.”

To encourage unity, the team has a hall in the school which they monitor for litter control. Also, on match days the team dresses in uniform. Crump is also trying
something a little new this year in setting a “no swearing” standard for his team members.  Every time a teammate swears, the whole team has to do 20 push ups while the person who swore has to watch.

“Coach Crump is cracking down this year,” Briggs said. “No swearing, no throwing head gear after matches, and no hitting stuff. We work together, always cheer each other on and help each other out. Everyone does a part on the team.”