Riley Arner Signs With SCC For Wrestling
A stellar career that’s etched his name in the Fairbury history books and is leading to the next level is senior Riley Arner as he signed to wrestle at Southeast Community College.
Finding himself among some of the best to come through the Fairbury wrestling program as he ended his career with a total of 114 wins, a state medalist his senior year and was a three-time state qualifier. It’s been a journey in the making from early in Riley Arner’s life. As a member of the Mat-men program from a young age and leading a career to be the 17th Jeff ever to surpass the 100th career milestone, wrestling has been a staple in his life that’s provided many lessons, experiences, and memories.
Where all the success comes from, simply put was mat time as Arner said, “My success to get to this point and moving to the next level is all thanks to mat time. Mat time was huge for getting me to be as ready as I was for any match I ever had. Being in the mat men program since I was in the second grade, and having all the time to practice, listen and learn was huge for me as it presented another step in the right direction to grow as a wrestler. I don’t make it to State, or have any of the success I have for my time wrestling here without taking advantage of my mat time.”
Though the sport itself is an individual one, without the teammates and coaches pushing his limits, Arner knows he wouldn’t he be who is today saying, “I’ve been fortunate to have all the coaches I’ve had since I started young and into the high school. My teammates helped me a lot along the way during practices and pushed my limits no matter what was going on in life. Good day or bad my teammates were always there to push me. I wouldn’t be as prepared as I feel I am heading into the next level because my teammates and coaches helped shape a work ethic that’s ready everyday.”
Looking back on how fast it all goes, the many matches and memories made that first come to mind for Riley Arner isn’t on the way to wrestle, or during the tournament, but rather the trips back with teammates and coaches as he reflected on the career saying, “Honestly looking back at everything, I’m going to miss the trips back from the duals and tournaments. Usually on the way we’re busy sleeping, during the day we’re busy wrestling and after that we’ll be talking about the whole day. Those rides back are some of the best memories I’ll have from wrestling. There’s a lot of things I could tell you about the road trips back, but I don’t think they’d be allowed in the paper. I’ve had a great time wrestling for Fairbury and I’m going to miss it.”
