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Sports

Border Wars Pit Youth Wrestlers in 8-Team Tournament

The Junior Raider Wrestling Club finished fourth after falling to West Forsyth in the championship round.

The Junior Raider Wrestling Club achieved a fourth place finish in The Border Wars, a competitive eight-team dual meet tournament held at . It was Alpharetta's first foray at hosting a youth wrestling tournament, and club leaders call it "an incontrovertible success."

Alpharetta theatrically jazzed up the event with thumping entrance music for each team, a loud crowd countdown for the opening matches, and announcers stating the winning wrestlers names, teams, and scores for each match. The "extras" included the first class catered hospitality room. All the participating teams stated they would return for next season's Border War.  

On the mat, the Junior Raider Middle School Team, participating in only their second dual meet tournament, achieved significant progress, taking second in their Round 1 Pool, defeating Archer-Silver and Milton and losing only to West Forsyth. The comeback victory against Milton stimulated the entire crowd.

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The Junior Raiders were down by 10 points with only a few matches left. Then, the situation turned around.  Brett Spivak, Steven Kinderman, Aaron Reyes, and Ryan Hornstrom pinned their Milton opponents. In the final match, Alex Rahm won by decision, which vaulted the Junior Raiders into the Round 2 Championship Pool.

In the Championship semifinals, the Junior Raiders hung tough against Archer-Red, one of the top teams in the state, before finally succumbing to the depth in Archer's lineup. Then, in the third place match, the Junior Raiders lost again to West Forsyth Junior Raiders.

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  • Ryan Hornstrom (77 lbs.) won 4 times including twice by pin;
  • Alex Rahm (84 lbs) achieved two victories;
  • Adam Danowitz (128 lbs.) achieved two victories- both by pin;
  • Matt Gadecki (136 lbs.) won 2 times including once by pin;
  • Caleb Parker (144 lbs.) achieved two victories including 2 by pin;
  • Brett Spivak (152 lbs.) won 3 times including once by pin;
    Steven Kinderman (160 lbs.) achieved 3 victories including one by pin;
  • Aaron Reyes (265 lbs.) won 3 times including once by pin.
  • Danny Gladwell (112 lbs.) achieved a single victory for the Junior Raiders.
  • Jackson Moss (91 lbs.), Connor Mead (91 lbs.), and Caleb Colburn (105 lbs.) also wrestled for the Junior Raiders.

Visit the Alpharetta Junior Raider Wrestling website for more information. Or email Head Coach Mark Spivak.

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