HIGH SCHOOL

Cash adding to big-time experience at Cadet Nationals

Tom Jacobs
The News Leader

Lane Cash is right in the middle of one of the biggest weeks in U.S. amateur wrestling.

Cash, a rising sophomore for Riverheads High School, is adding to his big-time experience this week, competing in the U.S. Marine Corps/USA Wrestling Cadet Nationals at the FargoDome in Fargo, N.D.

"It's a nice experience," said Cash, a Steeles Tavern resident who finished third at 120 pounds last year as a freshman for the Gladiators in the VHSL Group 1A wrestling tournament, "There are so many good wrestlers here with lots of state champions and placers. The whole thing is really impressive.

Cash went to Fargo as a member of the Blackhawks Wrestling team, based at Riverheads, to compete in both the freestyle and Greco-Roman tournaments. The freestyle started Saturday, while the Greco-Roman tourney begins Wednesday.

Wrestling at 132 pounds in the freestyle tournament, he lost in the first round on a 12-2 decision to Cole Bavery of Edgerton, Wisc., who finished fifth in the state at 113 as a freshman. Cash was eliminated in the wrestlebacks by Jackson Wenberg of Bay Harbor Islands, Fla.

What Cash got out of those two bouts was that there is a slim margin of error in a tournament like the Cadet Nationals.

"Small errors can hurt you," he said. "Everyone here is so good and that means you can't make mistakes."

Now he's ready to put the freestyle tourney behind him and try to make some noise in the Greco-Roman tournament, where there are no holds allowed below the waist and you cannot attack your opponent's legs. 

"I really like Greco-Roman," Cash said. "It's a great chance to release stress and I like throwing people, so it's a lot of fun. I just want to do the best I can do, which is what I came here to do."

What made it possible for Cash to get to Fargo was assistance from his sponsors: Noland Company of Verona, and Eavers Tire Pros and Scott's Plumbing & Heating of Stuarts Draft.

"I wouldn't be here without them," Cash said. "I really appreciate all their help."