Team has already seen tournament winners, and won Graham Morin Invite Dec. 19
By Kevin Doucette
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Ferndale’s Ben Broselle (middle) and fellow teammates celebrate during a match last season. This year’s team is off to a very promising start and won last Saturday’s tournament by more than 50 points. Coach Caleb Schlack said this is one of the best teams he has ever coached. (Kevin Doucette/Ferndale Record)
He is afraid they are peaking too early.
On Dec. 19 at Squalicum High School the Golden Eagles participated in the Graham Morin Invite, and they dominated.
Seven Golden Eagles reached the finals and five took home first-place medals. Ferndale finished with 243.5 points, more than 50 points above Oak Harbor, which finished second.
“This is the first time we have won this event in ten years,” Schlack said. “It’s a little scary how good we are doing, but I am excited to see how far we can take this.”
Ben Broselle, Sam Cleary, Braiden Klimp, Noah Saenz and Carson Trolinder all won their respective weight classes. Broc Graves and Eli Croy each finished in second.
While the varsity team is obviously doing extremely well, the junior varsity has been impressive too. Schlack said the JV has been wrestling at the varsity level.
“I think we are coming out more mentally prepared for each match and we are flowing from move to move better,” Broselle said.
For Broselle and Cleary, their first-place finishes Dec. 19 marked a second straight tournament victory, as they each also took first place at the Battle of the Border Dec. 12.
Cleary, who has only lost one match this entire year, also competes during the off-season, which Schlack said helps Cleary because he sees some of the best competition in the state.
Like Cleary, Broselle has also lost just one time this season. Broselle is one of the top all-around athletes at Ferndale. He plays football, wrestles, competes in the javelin throw, and plays rugby during the summer.
Broselle was sidelined for most the football season because of a hip injury, but he is back to 100 percent now.
“Ben is so go, go, go with everything he does,” Schlack said. “The time off during football season was probably good for him, and he is definitely healed up now and his confidence is through the roof.”
Cleary is 12-1 this season and Broselle is 11-1. Schlack said the one loss to both Broselle and Cleary is actually a blessing in disguise because now they don’t have the pressure of staying undefeated all season, and can wrestle more relaxed.
Although school is on break right now, Schlack said he has no intention of slowing this team down. Tuesday, the team practiced in what Schlack described as the toughest practice of the season.
“We do this once a year and I really push them, and at the end of the practice everyone is beat and giving each other hugs,” Schlack said.
The team is also going to compete in the Pacific Coast Tournament on Jan. 1-2 in Vancouver, WA, and will see some of the best competition in the state. Although Schlack said it can be a burden to get the kids there on New Year’s Day, he and his team knows the competition is necessary.
“It is a very good thing we are not taking a break,” Broselle said. “We are going to keep working hard and Sam and I will continue to push each other. I know this team wants to keep improving and doing awesome in every tournament like we have been.”
The Golden Eagles’ next home match is Jan. 13 against Blaine. Schlack said that match will be a great duel because Blaine is another outstanding wrestling program in the Northwest Conference.
Schlack also said he hopes to recognize Ferndale alumni who have represented Ferndale wrestling during the match. He said any former wrestlers are welcome to come.
“It is going to be history,” Schalack said. “I want to recognize and keep the alumni involved. They have help create a rock-solid program here.”
