GENTRY -- The Gentry Youth Organization's wrestling program, now in its second year, will be sending a group of your grapplers to state competition in Little Rock this weekend.
On Saturday, the wrestlers held an exhibition match and fundraiser for the program, with wrestlers and coaches introduced and each wrestler participating in two or more wrestling matches.
Former Gentry High School wrestling coach Daryl Knight came to see the program his Arkansas High School State Wrestling heavyweight champion, Coach Derek McCain, has put together. Money raised at the exhibition match will be used to pay for registration fees and expenses related to this weekend's competition.
Wrestlers who will be competing in the Arkansas State Youth wrestling tournament in Little Rock on Friday and Saturday include:
- Jaxon Burkhalter -- 110 open/novice
- Rustan Cackler -- 67 open/novice
- Benny Curran -- 55 open/novice
- Jesse Curran -- 145 novice
- Tommy Curran -- 52 open/novice
- Dylan Eller -- heavyweight novice
- Rafael Colon-Olguin -- 100 novice
- John Ienraoi -- 140 open/novice
- Konaia Ienraoi -- 100 open/girls
- TT Ienraoi -- 131 open/novice
- Brooklyn Kellems -- 75 open/girls
- Daxton Kellems -- 52 novice
- Drew McCain -- 64 open/girls
- Emerson McCain -- 75 open/girls
- Barrett Parker -- 80 open/novice
- Troy Rinehart -- 64 novice
- Conner Ryan -- 60 open/novice
- Clayton Smith -- 58 open/novice
- Guy Strickland -- 55 open/novice
* Open = anyone
* Girls = girls only
* Novice = two years of experience or less
Coaches for the GYO program include Derek McCain, Casey Strickland, Lindsey Ryan and Cody Smith.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
The GYO white team posed for a photo before Saturday's wresting tournament in the Carl Gym on Saturday.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Drew McCain works to turn and pin her opponent during a Gentry Youth Organization wrestling match in the Carl Gym on Saturday.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Gentry Youth Organization wrestling coaches include Derek McCain, Cody Smith, Lindsey Ryan and Casey Strickland. Youth wrestling is in its second year as a GYO sport.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Clayton Smith attempts to pin his opponent during a GYO wrestling match in Carl Gym on Saturday.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Clayton Smith attempts to pin his opponent during a GYO wrestling match in Carl Gym on Saturday.