On the 1,800 mile journey, the Wildcats battled the elements as many experienced snow for the 1st time. At one point the temperature dropped as low as 9 degrees.
While en route they stopped in Preston, Idaho to practice at Preston High School. While in the town made famous by the movie Napoleon Dynamite, the Wildcats visited many sites from the movie and even played a game of bowling at Pop n' Pins.
The group was very honored to practice with the Preston High Wrestling Team and would like to extend thanks to their coach Jesse Long for his generosity.
Following the practice the Wildcats visited the hot springs at Riverdale Resort. They soaked in 100+ dgree water while snow fell around them.
Another highlight was the visit Idaho City, an 1860 Gold Rush town, prior to the weigh-ins for the Gladiator event. The group walked through the snow covered streets of a town from a by-gone era.
On December 15, 2007 the Wildcats went toe-to toe with some of the finest wrestlers from 13 different states at the Idaho Center. When the event came to a close, Anthony McClinton walked away with a 6th placed medal.
Following the event, the group began the 591 mile trek from Nampa, ID to Vallejo, CA. On the ride home, the team stopped at Donner State Historic Park, to see where the Donner Party met their fate in 1846. While there, they took advantage of the fresh powder and engaged in a snowball fight.
After three-years in the program these indivduals noted how fast time had past and agreed that the trip was well worth the sacrifices they had made over the course of their careers.
Austin Gutierrez
Stephen Grigg
Emmanuel Saldivar
Chris Dollete
Guillermo Soria
James Tapia
Zerick Silas
Anthony McClinton
