Submitted photo — Tanner Baxter celebrates winning the championship belt at the recent Rocky Mountain Nationals tournament in Anaheim.

The Institute of Combat youth wrestlers continued to make waves this winter with another strong showing at the prestigious Rocky Mountain Nationals tournament in Anaheim last weekend.

None more so than Tanner Baxter, who took home the belt in the 49-pound division, defeating some top competition along the way.

Six-year-old Baxter rounded out a memorable weekend by also wrestling up a weight at 52 pounds and placing second.

Head coach Cass Bell was more than impressed with his wrestlers’ showing.

“I’m proud of these kids and love watching them push themselves to be better than they were before,” he said. “They all finished higher than they did at their previous RMN tournament, and are looking forward to setting new goals, and I am looking forward to helping make them happen!”

Submitted photo – The IOC wrestlers and coaches.

Taylor Bell, aged 9, and Kaidan Bell, aged 7, each also placed at the big tournament, finishing third and sixth, respectively, in their divisions.

“All the kids did great,” Bell said. 

Kaidan Bell’s performance was particularly impressive after spending much of the past month in a cast with a sprained ankle, while Taylor Bell had to battle sickness in the build-up.

The IOC is located in Arcata.