“He’s really explosive”: Carson Eichhorst, born with one arm, leads Willmar High’s wrestling team to state

WILLMAR, Minn. – It was a enjoyable weekend for the Willmar Excessive College wrestling workforce. The Cardinals gained an thrilling part championship match over their large rival, Bemidji, to advance to the state event. However that is simply a part of the story.

The Cardinals obtained a pin at heavyweight to advance to state. Coach Ed Oehlers is Willmar’s wrestling coach.  

“All the sudden it is like ‘yeah!’ As a result of he flips him over and seals it with a pin, and it is only a ton of pleasure,” Oehlers stated.

However it is a sport the place the decrease weight lessons are simply as necessary because the higher ones.

Carson Eichhorst, a 120-pound junior, is thought for a wide range of devastating strikes. And he does all of them with one arm.    

“The one leg, snapdown, gator roll, murderer,” Carson stated.

Wilfredo Chavez is his teammate.

“He is actually explosive. You already know, it is at all times enjoyable to wrestle him. You by no means know what’s gonna occur, he is actually good,” Chavez stated.

Carson’s dad and mom, Brandon and Rachel say medical doctors had been as shocked as they had been when he was born with out a proper arm. Nevertheless it did not take them lengthy to comprehend he was going to be simply wonderful. 

“When he was younger it appeared like he was at all times type of tremendous pace,” Brandon stated. “He is in all probability probably the most decided child that I do know.”

“Very, very proud,” Rachel stated. 

And they need to be. Carson break up time between varsity and junior varsity this yr and gained a reasonably large event in Hutchinson.

“I keep in mind watching him within the youth and you would be like, ‘Wow, how are we even gonna train some stuff and accommodate for this child?’” Oehlers stated. “However he picked [up] a lot and was self pushed and stuff and picked up naturally. He truly in all probability taught us extra.”

Carson’s success goes past the wrestling mat. Within the fall, he is a goalkeeper on the soccer workforce. And within the spring, he additionally throws the shot put, discus and excessive bounce – all whereas carrying a 3.9 GPA. However wrestling could be his favourite. 

“On the mat he simply works exhausting. Nice teammate,” Wilfredo stated.

“There are numerous strikes the place you are required to make use of two palms, so I’ve to seek out my method round it,” Carson stated.

And he has. Carson has been “efficiently improvising” his complete life. Now he and his teammates can put down part champs on that lengthy listing of accomplishments. 

“Simply maintain pushing via. It will get simpler when you get previous the barrier,” Carson stated.

Carson can be recognized for his volunteering and for being the last word workforce participant. He even goes up or down a weight class to assist his teammates.

Willmar will wrestle within the state event one week from Thursday.