A Successful Santa Smack Down!
Dec 29, 2022 12:00AM ● By By Seti Long
Gridley Gladiators youth wrestlers put a hurting on their competition at the Santa Smack Down. Pictured (left to right) with their medals: Morgan Ruggirello, Clairyssa Watkins and Ahsley Watkins. Photo provided by Joe Ruggirello
GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Local youth wrestlers, the Gridley Gladiators traveled to Orangevale, Calif., for a holiday themed competition – the Santa Smack Down tournament.
Of the four competitors that traveled to match, three placed, some taking the mat in upper age brackets.
Challenging himself and engaging in an advanced age bracket of 8U instead of his age division of 6U, Morgan Ruggirello placed 2nd.
Other medalists included Clairyssa Watkins and Ashley Watkins who placed 3rd in the 6U division.
Of his wrestlers, Coach Ruggirello says, “Out of the few tournaments that the wrestlers have been to this year, Santa Smack Down was the toughest. Most of the kids had more wrestlers in their weight class than ever before.” Regardless, he says, “The kids had a blast. This was the first time that they had more than one or two matches in their respective weight classes. I feel that each wrestler is definitely improving and showing great leaps and bounds in the knowledge and skills of the sport.”
Gridley Gladiators travel to Natomas, Calif., this week for the “No guts, no glory.”
