FARGO, N.D. — Summer can mean a lot of things to young people. Time off from school, a part-time job, travel, or relaxing on the beach.

For many, summer also means sacrifice. And for four wrestlers from the North Kitsap area, summer right now means wrestling in Fargo, N.D. at the ASICS/Vaughan Junior and Cadet National Championships.

Lyndsey Barnhill, Bobby Reece III, Jake Velarde and Jack Welker have spent almost one week competing in some of the toughest wrestling they have seen.

“This is the hardest tournament these kids have ever participated in,” said KHS wrestling coach Bobby Reece, president of the Kingston Outlaws.

Reece III took seventh in the Cadet Division at 152 pounds. Velarde took eighth in the Junior Cadet Divisoin at 138 pounds. Both have earned All-American status.

Barnhill (113) and Welker (220) went two and out.

The tournament wraps-up July 21.

Barnhill, Reece and Welker represent the Outlaw wrestling program. Velarde represents the Northwest Washington Wrestling Club. Also with NWWC are Adam and Brian Burchett of Seabeck. The Burchett brothers attend Klahowya Secondary School.

Wrestlers must have qualified in a competitive event conducted under sanction of USA Wrestling in the state where he or she resides, and must be certified by the state association.

— Check the North Kitsap Herald and online next week for an update.