Carmel wrestlers hit state

Palm grabs sixth place

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The wrestling team topped off their season by sending three wrestlers down to the IHSA State Championship last weekend at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Of the three athletes who competed, only one had any experience with the such high stakes competition. Sophomore Riley Palm competed last year while freshman Christian Valadez and junior Anthony made their first state appearances.

Palm placed sixth, earning a medal and recognition from the team.

“I learned a lot from last year’s experience and I expect more from myself and my teammates who also compete with me,” Palm said. “It’s a special experience and I worked all season to get there.”

Palm wasn’t the only one who attributed his state competition to hard work with the team.

“I was really excited for the opportunity and I worked all season for the chance to go downstate,” Schaer said. “My teammates and Coach Kuykendall have helped me achieve so much this season.”

Newly-inducted Hall of Fame Coach Bob Kuykendall said he was proud of these competitors and the team as a whole.

“The team as a whole had a blast this season,” Kuykendall said.

Carmel Wrestling is still a very young team, so many of the wrestlers will be back on the team next year. Team members say that they have yet to reach their full potential.

“I’m looking forward for the next season to come and to see all the new incoming freshman wrestlers,” Schaer said. “I predict we will have at least six to seven state qualifiers and possibly two to three state placers next season.”