Ericksrud family hopes to give back to wrestling club

By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

A new fundraiser will be taking place on Saturday, Aug. 19 at Rush Lake Range south of New York Mills on Highway 54. The fundraiser will support the NY Mills Wrestling Club.

The event is being initiated and sponsored by the Ericksrud family as a way of giving back to the area wrestling community and to provide a place for friends both old and new to connect.

“It’s an opportunity for the wrestling family from way back in the 60s and 70s to today to connect,” said Rich Ericksrud. “The wrestling family is a very large group in itself and then there’s a lot of connection with all kinds of people, so it’s a wide open invitation.”

Registration for the event will start at 1 p.m. and shooting activities will commence within a half hour. Sign up to shoot trap or Annie Oakley with a trusty shotgun or borrow an air rifle provided by Rush Lake Range for Test Your Limit and Battle Challenge.

A free-will donation lunch will take place at 4 p.m. for hungry participants. Split the Pot Splatter Boards will be ongoing throughout the day.

Ericksrud explained that for every $5 someone spends on their chosen shooting sport, their name is entered into the pot to win a 7mm-08 rifle. At 4:30 p.m. the drawing for the rifle will begin. The raffle is sponsored by all of the coaches, past and present, of NY Mills wrestling.

“People can come and they may shoot and they might not,” said Ericksrud. “Sometimes it’s fun to watch, just be there and visit and reconnect. Just having the chance to rub shoulders and have fun.”

All that participants need to bring are their own shotgun, shells and ear protection. Air rifles are being provided by Rush Lake Range. 

“It will be fun. That group will enjoy the setting. They’re competitive,” Ericksrud laughed. “We hope to do it annually.”