Vowers earns title, Arrellano second in youth wrestling championship

Kaden Vowers, 14 of Potter, and 12-year-old Trey Arrellano of Sidney finished in first and second place, respectively, in their weight classes Feb. 2 at the Metro Junior Wrestling League Championships in Greely, Colo.

Vowers took home the first-place trophy in the 91 lbs. weight class. He completed his championship run by pinning all of his opponents.

Arellano finished second at 84 lbs. after just coming up short in a championship match that went into overtime.

"It was a real nail biter," said youth coach Mark Vowers of Arellano's final match. "He fought hard from start to finish."

Though he pinned all his opponents, Vowers also had his toughest match in the finals. But 14 seconds into the third period he worked his way to a pin, earning the hardware.

Vowers and Arellano began wrestling in Colorado just recently after joining the Colorado Twisters this season. The Twisters are part of the MJWL network of 37 teams throughout the state of Colorado. The Twisters are based in Sterling.

The path to the championships for Vowers and Arellano began at districts in Loveland where the top eight earned the right to move on to regionals. Both wrestlers made it through the districts and regionals to earn a top seed for the championships held at the University of North Colorado last week.

Vowers performance was so impressive, he not only pinned all his opponents, he never even had a point scored against him.

"Kaden has been wrestling since he was five-years-old and it's become a passion with him," said Vowers of his son. "He has already built a career record of 236 wins and just 43 losses."

Vowers and Arellano are also both members of the Sidney Wrestling Federation, which began its season in January. The schedule runs through May.

After having captured a Colorado championship and a runner-up trophy, the boys will now set their sights on a Nebraska crown. Because they are both accomplished wrestlers and close in weight, the pair often practice against each other.

"They're great little teammates and good friends," said Vowers. "They help each other work hard and get better."