Ellsworth Tournament Recap: Heart, Hustle, and Growth on the Mat

This weekend, 4 of our Iron Grip wrestlers stepped onto the mats in Ellsworth ready to compete, learn, and give everything they had. They wrestled with grit, spunk, and heart, and we couldn’t be more proud of the effort they showed.

Every match, whether a win or a loss, was filled with growth. These kids battled hard, shook off nerves, celebrated little victories, and walked away tired but smiling. That’s what Iron Grip is all about.

Below is a highlight recap of each wrestler’s day:

💥 Elijah Apatiga

Elijah had one of his toughest tournaments yet, facing a stacked bracket with strong competitors. Even though he didn’t walk away with a win, he never backed down, showed courage in every match, and learned valuable lessons that will make him stronger next time. He continues to show resilience, always standing back up, always trying again. Growth happens in days like this, and Elijah showed what Iron Grip heart looks like.

🔥 Zachary Spears

Zachary wrestled with fire! He secured multiple victories, including:

• A strong 3 – 0 pin in under a minute

• An impressive 11 – 3 major decision, showing sharp takedowns and nearfall control

• Stayed competitive in a close 12 – 9 match

Zachary showed confidence, improvement, and determination. His technique is coming alive, and each match displayed his focus and fight.

💪 Zander Spears

Zander walked in ready to battle and delivered a standout performance with:

• A thrilling 12 – 11 victory, showcasing reversals, nearfall points, and smart escapes

• A hard-fought 10 – 7 match where he stayed aggressive and composed

Zander continues to grow every tournament, especially with mat awareness and transitions. His confidence is rising, and it absolutely shows.

🌟 Athena Acosta

Athena had an incredible day, showing both toughness and skill. Her matches included:

• A dominating 10 – 1 match, full of takedowns and nearfall

• A high scoring 13 – 10 overtime victory, proving her stamina and focus

• Battles against tough opponents where she held her ground and kept pushing

Athena brings a spark to every tournament, fearless, focused, and full of spunk. She wrestles like she belongs out there, and she does.

🏅 Final Thoughts

With only four wrestlers competing, Iron Grip showed up with big energy and even bigger heart. These athletes proved that the journey is just as important as the results:

✔ They wrestled hard.

✔ They learned something new.

✔ They showed respect, sportsmanship, and resilience.

✔ And most importantly, we all had fun.

We are proud of each one of them, and we cannot wait to see what they do next.

Iron Grip Wrestling 2025 Ellsworth Tournament