Staff
They were few but they were mighty.
Just two members of the Canadian-born contingent on the Mighty Mustang Wrestling team from International Falls made the trip Saturday for the Blackduck Elementary Wrestling Tournament.
But both came away with impressive performances as the Mustangs qualified six of its 12 competitors for the Jaycees’ state tournament this spring.
Fort Frances-born Hudson Mann, who now lives in the Falls but still has relatives in Rainy River, claimed first place in the under 123-pound division by posting a 7-0 record and recording two pins.
Fort resident Vai Lockman, meanwhile, didn’t earn a qualifying spot but the rookie grappler nabbed a third-place finish in the under 52-pound division in his first tournament.
Lockman went 1-2 in his three bouts in what Mustangs’ assistant coach Jeremy Mann called “a great show of athleticism.”
“Val’s hard work and dedication in the wrestling room are sure to earn him more success in the future,” Mann noted.
Meets are scheduled in Walker on Saturday and Fertile-Beltrami on Sunday, though it was unknown at press time how many Mustangs would be travelling to each one.
