Chidester represents Ogilvie at State Tournament

Experience a focus on training will help more wrestlers advance in seasons to come. 

On Saturday, Feb. 16 the Lions were eliminated from the Section 7 A tournament with a loss to Rush City/Braham. Senior Alex Chidester, however, advanced to the State individual tournament in the 220-pound weight class.

“Alex completed an excellent high school career this weekend,” said head coach Adam Halvorson. “At the state tournament he won two matches and lost two. He was one win short of placing in the top six and earning a medal.

“Alex finished the season with 37 wins, 26 pins and only five losses. His career record is 86-28, and he owns the Lions school record of 26 pins in a single season. He was our team captain this season; he’s an excellent leader and will be greatly missed next year.”

Ogilvie ended the season with seven wins and 21 losses, sixth place in the Great River Conference and ninth in Section 7 A. Last year the team finished at 6-15, seventh in the conference and ninth in the section. Five Lions wrestlers placed at last year’s Section 7 A tournament and Chidester advanced to State, where he won two matches.

“Our section was very competitive this season,” Halvorson said. “We fell short in our section loss to Rush City/Braham, but still we wrestled well. The wrestlers put

together a great team effort, focusing on earning points and not giving up bonus points.

“During the season we wrestled some very good teams including Eden Prairie, Woodbury, Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City and Royalton. We didn’t prevail in the final team score, but several of our individuals won big matches in these duals. We have strong individual wrestlers, and need more depth to be competitive as a team.”

Halvorson and the Lions coaching staff are already looking ahead to next season. “We’re encouraging our wrestlers to commit to gaining strength in the weight room, and we’ll commit our time to provide that opportunity,” Halvorson said. “Junior, Hunter Anderson, sophomores, Beau Burk, Riley Lambert, Gavin McLevis, Alivia Sanborn and Ethan Warren, and freshman, Rhett Hudoba are our returning wrestlers. Next year we’ll be a year older, stronger and more experienced.

“I enjoyed coaching this team very much. The wrestlers showed up, worked hard and improved throughout the season. I’m proud to say I am their coach.”