Mixing competition with camaraderie

"I'm definitely not in shape," Sidney wrestler Michael Muggli said after beating John Todd by a 9-1 decision Wednesday night.

High school wrestling's regular season ended four months ago. The new schedule will not officially open until December. Yet four Raiders were in action as part of a unique summer event.

Wrestlers from Sidney and Scottsbluff took on a team from Alaska at the Cabela's Athletic Facility, an dual billed as the Nebraska vs. Alaska Cultural Wrestling Exchange. Joining Muggli as part of the Red Raiders contingent were Senior Ryan Wooley, sophomore Jack Fedderson and incoming freshman Derek Robb.

Kane Taylor, slated to wrestle at 200, won on a bye.

Two things were apparent during and after the bout. First, it is summer.

"I was there mentally," Fedderson explained, "but my physical shape has gone downhill."

Fedderson took part in two matches, at 113 and 126. He lost to Gavin Maslen, an Alaska state champion, and Evan Brockman. Wooley, 160, fell to Joe Fricilone, who finished third in last season's Alaska state tournament.

Robb came away with a convincing 10-0 triumph over freshman Michael Lucas--quite a feat, considering the latter holds a junior high state title.

"It was good," Robb said. "Those guys are like us--they need competition."

The second aspect so evident was the quick camaraderie forged over two days. The visitors from the 49th state arrived on Tuesday and were welcomed with a barbecue at Legion Park. They spent their time with volunteer host families and joined them for a potluck supper after the event.

"They are really nice," Wooley observed. "They are all pretty cool. I'd enjoy seeing them again."

Sidney's wrestlers were in agreement on that matter.

"A lot of it is fun," Fedderson said. "But you don't want to lose."

The unfamiliar team from Alaska included seven state qualifiers out of eight participants. One took the top spot at state. Another is a three time qualifier.

"I knew it was going to be hard," Fedderson pointed out.

Yet the guests were equally impressed. Fricilone, a Fairbanks native who took bronze at state in Alaska last season, had nothing but praise for his opponents.

"They come right at you and they don't stop," he said.

Despite claiming to be shy of midseason form, Muggli said he was excited when he first heard about the exchange. His opinion did not change once it was over.

"It was fun--a really good time," he said.

The Alaska squad left Sidney on Thursday morning, bound for Ogallala.

It has been two decades since Sidney participated in a wrestling exchange, competing against Maine on two occasions in the early 1990s. Most who took part Wednesday night would like to see the event continue.

"If they did this every year it would be awesome," Fedderson said.