The Cherokee Youth Wrestling Program took five wrestlers to the Tar Heel State Classic in Chapel Hill. Shown (left-right) are – coach T.W. Saunooke, Sam Bernheisel, Will Paul, Tivan Saunooke, Dakota Siweumptewa, Corbin Wildcatt and Mike Siweumptewa. (Photo courtesy of T.W. Saunooke)
The Cherokee Youth Wrestling Program took five wrestlers to the Tar Heel State Classic in Chapel Hill April 11-12.
“This is a big tournament for all of our kids, but is especially important to the Schoolboy, Cadet and Junior Divisions,” said coach T.W. Saunooke. “Each Freestyle tournament Champion qualifies for the NC National Team to represent the state of North Carolina at the Dual Team National Championships.”
In the Freestyle tournament, Corbin Wildcatt, Will Paul, Dakota Siweumptewa, and Tivan Saunooke all won the championship in their division. Sam Bernheisel was a runner-up. In the Folkstyle tournament, Wildcatt and Siweumptewa won division championships and Paul, Saunooke, and Bernheisel were all runner-up in their divisions.
In all, the Cherokee Youth Wrestling Program won six first place medals and four second place medals. Paul and Wildcatt both qualified for the N.C. National Team. Paul will go to Indianapolis, IN for the Schoolboy Nationals and Wildcatt will go to Daytona Beach, Fla. for the East Coast Duals, both of which will be held in June.
Coach Saunooke related, “During the coming weeks, Will and Corbin will be traveling down state to practice with their teams as well as continuing practice here with us. Congratulations to all of our wrestlers!”
– T.W. Saunooke
