Boren competes in freestyle and greco at national tourney

In-coming Hot Springs County High School sophomore, Cannon Boren, was in competition last week at the U.S. Marine Corp Junior and U16 Nationals, which are held annually at Fargo, North Dakota. The tournament is the largest wrestling tournament in the world, and serves as the pinnacle for National Championships in Freestyle and Greco Wrestling in the United States.

Cannon competed in the 16U Division, at 132 lbs., having qualified by placing 2nd at Cadet State back in April. Cannon was in a 256 man bracket in freestyle, and went 0-2 against some top wrestlers.

Coach Travis McDermott said, “Cannon drew some very tough freestyle matches in Fargo. He battled his first match to a 2-2 decision against Utah’s Walgren, but lost the bout based upon criteria. In the second consolation match, he drew a very tough Wisconsin wrestler, Aure, to put him out of the tournament on the freestyle side.”

“In greco, Cannon also drew some top competitors, losing in the first round to the #27 seed, Myers from West Virginia. In his second round, he broke through with his first Fargo win, against Holt of Massachusetts, with a pin in the second period. With another tough draw in his next round, Cannon lost to #6 seed Penzkover from Wisconsin.”

Summing up the year for Boren, coach McDermott commented, “Cannon had a very successful freshman year, with a state runner-up in high school, as well as placing well in state freestyle and greco tournaments. He is one of the toughest wrestlers around, and works to become a better wrestler every day. Fargo is an extremely tough event, that I know was a disappointment for Cannon, but he has made improvements in the offseason, in both his freestyle and greco wrestling, and will be a reliable competitor in the upcoming school year.”