Featherston Amateur Wrestling Club members made a big impact at the national wrestling championships in Hamilton over the weekend.
The eight-strong contingent won two silver medals and one bronze for their efforts, along with a host of other impressive performances, especially considering the squad's relative inexperience.
Staged over two daysthe championships included freestyle and Roman greco wrestling as well as grappling.
The first day's action involved the 12-year to 13-year mini age group divisions where Featherston were represented by Gracyn Evans (38kg), Matt Vollebregt (53kg) and Jordon Thurston (47kg)
They were all up against tough competition in bouts staged over three rounds with Evans taking the limelight, winning a silver medal, Vollebregt placing seventh and Thurston sixth.
The bigger boys contested the 14-year to 16-year classes and here too the standard was high. Dylan Duffy did Featherston proud by taking away the bronze medal in the 63kg event after a points countback was needed to decide the first three placings and Thomas Uatuku won the silver medal in the 76kg class after his three intense bouts.
Josh Bucknell was placed fifth in the 58kg division, Wade Lovett sixth in the 58kg class and Herewini Ammunson sixth in the 63kg grade.
