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A good start to the season got even better for the Institute of Combat youth wrestlers, with a strong showing at the prestigious Best of the West tournament in Oregon over the weekend.

“We kicked butt this weekend,” IOC wrestling coach Cass Bell said. “I didn’t realize we were going to do that well.”

Bell traveled with 10 wrestlers to one of the biggest tourneys in Oregon, with six of them winning their divisions.

Taylor Bell and Tanner Baxter each won for the second time at the Best of the West, with teammates Skylar Collenberg, Dakota Bestul, Kaidan Bell and Mason Ruiz all winning there for the first time.

Donald Hostler and Talon Howes each won their individual brackets and advanced to the championship round, placing second overall, while Ruger Baxter won his bracket and Mya Collenberg finished fourth in hers.

“I’m so happy, and so proud of all the kids, especially with all the hard work they put in,” Cass Bell said.

Each of the winners took home a championship jacket.

The IOC wrestlers will be back in action this weekend at another big youth tournament in Fresno, featuring the best young grapplers from throughout the state.