Raider wrestlers roll over Eau Claire Memorial

• Dima Hawksford stands ECM's Steven Loew on his head

Hudson junior Dima Hawksford stands Eau Claire Memorial’s Steven Loew on his head while in the first period of the 170 pound match in the Raiders’ Big Rivers Conference dual with the Old Abes last Thursday at the high school. Hawksford went on to win by a technical fall as the Raiders routed the Old Abes, 74-6. Photo by Bob Burrows
• Eliot Motu pins ECM's Dennis Franko

Raider sophomore Eliot Motu pins Eau Claire Memorial’s Dennis Franko in the 220 pound match in Hudson’s Big Rivers Conference dual match against the Old Abes last Thursday at the high school. Photo by Bob Burrows

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The Hudson Raider wrestling team continued its domination of Eau Claire Memorial with a convincing 74-6 victory over the Old Abes in its Big Rivers Conference opener last Thursday at the high school.

The Raiders are 22-2 all-time against Eau Claire Memorial, who hasn’t defeated Hudson in over 10 years.

The Raiders used eight pins, one technical fall, one decision and three forfeits to move to 1-0 in the BRC. The Raider junior varsity also dominated, going 12-0 in its match.

Kolya Hawksford, Derek Schindler, Eliot Motu, Mathias Tobin, Nick Nelson, Tim Feia, Nic Johnson and Tanner Owens all recorded pins in the varsity victory.

Tobin needed just 54 seconds to win his match at 285 pounds while Schindler at 182, Nelson at 120, Feia at 126 and Johnson at 138 all took less than two minutes to defeat their opponents.

Dima Hawksford posted a 21-4 technical fall in 3:46 at 170 pounds and C.J. Steiner earned a 5-3 decision at 132 while Mitch Fanning at 106, Zach Lohman at 113 and Austin Koski at 145 each won by forfeit.

Raider head coach Chris Hansen said he was most impressed with sophomore Steiner’s 5-3 decision over Old Abe senior Kyle Bauer at 132 pounds.

“He wrestled a nice match against one of their most experienced wrestlers,” Hansen said. “Bauer is two years older and won over 20 matches last season, yet Steiner led from start to finish.”

Hudson returns to action this Thursday, Dec. 15, at Menomonie and will compete at the Marty Loy Invitational in Fond du Lac on Saturday, Dec. 17, beginning at 11 a.m. The Raiders next home match will be Thursday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. against Stevens Point.

Tags: sports, wrestling, raiders, prep