Vikings credit ‘dodgeball’ for success

Published 8:00 am Tuesday, February 19, 2019

EDWARDSBURG — The Niles wrestling team has been on fire for the last three weeks.

The Vikings rolled to dominating wins at the Greater Berrien County Invitational, the SMAC individual tournament and the Division 2 district team tournament.

Add to that the fact that Niles qualified 12 wrestlers, including six individual champions, at the Division 2 districts.

What has been the secret to the Vikings’ success this late in the season?

According to veteran coach Todd Hesson, it has been dodgeball.

“The kids are wrestling well, and I think it’s because we’re playing dodgeball in practice,” Hesson said. “The kids are loose because that’s how we warm up. They all get a good sweat with it, and they’re having a good time. I know it sounds crazy.