Cameron Krueger, eighth Grade, shows off his first-place medal earned during the Springview Takedown Wrestling Tournament. Photo courtesy of Coach Joe Zilles

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Mitchell Middle School Marauders wrestlers started their season in November 2025 and quickly began competing in December at the Smedberg Middle School tournament in Elk Grove where Giovanni Barcenas and Levi Gustafson bested the competition and earned first place finishes. Later that month the Marauder grapplers visited the Springview Middle School in Rocklin for a takedown tournament where Ronan Bell, Cameron Krueger, Kheyden Collins and Elias Raydoza took first place honors.

On Jan. 8, the Marauders visited Folsom Middle School for a scrimmage style, tough, no non-sense event which pitted the best Mitchell wrestlers against some of the areas finest. Brothers and eighth graders Asher (121) and Kian Jiang (116) showed their experience with undefeated records for the evening.  Winning at least one match was Maxine Dela Cruz, Ronan Bell, Dante Bottoms, Cameron Krueger, Giovanni Barcenas, Levi Gustafson, Kheyden Collins, and Ansh Lal.

Kheyden Collins, eighth grade, shows off his first-place medal earned during the Bella Vista winter Classic Wrestling Tournament. Photo courtesy of Coach Joe Zilles

The Mitchell wrestlers then traveled to El Dorado High School in Placerville on Jan. 10, for the “Meat Grinder” tournament where again Asher Jiang (121) won gold with impressive pins over each his opponents and Kian Jiang (116) finished with a 2-2 record and fourth place finish. Wrestling hard but falling short of the podium were Ansh Lal, Giovanni Barcenas, Levi Gustafson, Cameron Krueger and Dante Bottoms.

On Jan. 17, the Marauders visited Bella Vista High School for the Winter Classic tournament for Middle School. First year wrestlers Cameron Krueger (145) and Kheyden Collins (185) won gold wrestling in the JV Division and Levi Gustafson (175) finished with a third-place finish.  

Levi Gustafson, eighth grade, shows off his medal earned during the Bella Vista winter Classic Wrestling Tournament. Photo courtesy of Coach Joe Zilles

Led by Coaches Joe Zilles and John Marshall, the Marauders wrestlers continue to work hard to finish the 2025-26 season later this month.  Returning wrestlers Asher Jiang, Kian Jiang and Levi Gustafson paved the way this season with strong leadership and a tough work ethic on and off the mat. Daily workouts and training include conditioning and wrestlers learning up to 70 moves and combinations focused on the fundamentals of wrestling throughout the short season. Mitchell visits Barrett Middle School in Carmichael on Jan. 24, after press time, for its final season tournament. While the team roster is small this season, the wrestlers keep putting together impressive wins.