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Raider wrestlers experienced some variety this past week, winning a dual match against Cascade High School and facing tough competition in Tonasket.

The Raiders defeated Cascade High School in Leavenworth in a dual meet on Jan. 14, winning as a team 45-25.

Those winning their matches were: Colton Jackson wrestling at 113 pounds; Robert Thomas, 120 lbs;CJ Arcasa, 126 lbs; Christian Carson, 138 lbs; Dusty Rose, 152 lbs; Tyler Palmer, 170 lbs; Sergio Galacia, 182 lbs; and Joseph Tynan, 220 lbs.

“It was a really fun night and a good experience for all the young wrestlers to participate in a dual where team score is kept,” Head Coach Billie Monroe said. “We are going to Dream Duals in Spokane next weekend, which is a dual tournament, so it was good to get an understanding of how duals work prior to that.”

On Jan. 18 the Raiders competed in the Apple Pie Invite in Tonasket Saturday.

“It was a tough tournament, with three of the best B-schools in the state represented with Tonasket, Reardan and Chewelah,” Monroe said. “I felt it was an off day for our team. We lost quite a few close matches that were very winnable. The kids fought hard but we just came up short.”

Colton Jackson took second place in “a rematch of last year’s state finals,” Monroe said. Jackson faced Waylon Thomas in the 113-pound championship match.

Trevon Johnson placed third at 220, losing 3-2 to Chewelah’s Cole Davis, who is ranked second in the state, Monroe explained, adding that Johnson is ranked third. “Trevon is improving each match and will be very dangerous at the state tournament,” Monroe said.

“Robbie Thomas and Joey Tynan wrestled well and won some tough matches,” Monroe continued. “Sergio Galacia is also coming on strong and wrestled very tough, just falling short of a medal.”

Thomas placed third at 120 and Tynan took second at 285.

“It wasn’t a bad thing having an off tournament,” Monroe said. “It gives us a chance to evaluate ourselves and make improvements for the postseason.”

The Raiders are scheduled to wrestle in a dual match against the Tigers in Tonasket Thursday, Jan. 23, at 5 p.m.

The Dream Dual tournament at the Spokane Convention Center is on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m.