F/MCC WARRIORS SWEEP FOUR DUALS IN TWO DAYS

The F/MCC Warriors had a busy week starting in St. James on January 29th against St. James and Quad County, and then on Friday, January 30th against Tracy/Milroy/Balaton and Luverne. The Warriors swept all four duals in the two days, ending up 60-18 against Quad County, 42-33 against St. James, 64-12 against Luverne and 39-22 against TMB.

The Warriors plowed through the Quad County lineup, losing 3 of the 13 bouts. The 107 bout was open for the Warriors. Brodik Clark at 113 lost by pinfall to Mario Gradillas. Thomas Pruitt and Kaston Clarke at 121 and 127 both received forfeits. F/MCC finally had a match at 132 and Dane Hanson made short work of Easton Johnson followed by another forfeit to Brayden Gilb. Jordan Vortherms at 145 went into the second period before scoring the fall against Jacob Thein, followed by a quick pin by Lucas Kuball at 152. The 160-weight class was open for Quintin Lewis, and Jaxon Wendorff pinned Christian Vargas in 53 seconds. Luke Iverson received a forfeit at 189. At 215, Levi Lewis was brought up for some varsity action, but he couldn’t get ahead on Jacob Savig, giving up the pin. Colby Kesteloot pinned Gavin Gueningsman at 285 to anchor the team and the win.

The St. James Saints put up a little bit more of a fight, receiving a forfeit at 107 and recording a pin at 114 with Bryce Siem against our Brodik Clarke. Kaston Clarke at 121 put the Warriors on the board with a first period pin against George Stevensen. The Warriors lost the 127 bout to Keyan Roloff against Thomas Pruitt with a pin, and Dane Hanson at 132 went the distance with Gabe Gunderson, giving up a decision with an 11-7 final score.

Brayden Gilb jump started the Warriors at 139 with a first period pin against Nick Firchau, followed by a loss by pinfall to Beck Johnson by Jordan Vortherms. The Warriors gave up a forfeit at 152 to Noel Davilla, forcing Lucas Kuball to wrestle 160 against Carlos Flores whom Kuball pinned in 28 seconds in the first period. Quintin Lewis - also wrestling up a weight - wrestled Teagan Erickson, pinning him as well 1 minute and 45 seconds into the first period. Luke Iverson, after a reversal and two nearfalls in the first period then a takedown and nearfall in the second period, pinned Braxton Anderson, closing the gap for the Warriors 33-30. At 215, Vincent Bray would put the Warriors over the top with a first period pin against Kolten Trande. Colby Kesteloot followed suit with a pin of his own against Jeremiah Garza in the first period to finish off the 42-33 dual win.

The competition gym was full of boisterous Warrior fans as the wrestlers took to the mat against the Luverne Cardinals and the Warriors did not disappoint. After a tough pinfall loss by Luke Sweetman at 107, Brodik Clarke returned the favor with a pin of his own against Ridna Kadhim 1 minute and 19 seconds into the first period. At 121, Thomas Pruitt received a forfeit and at 127, Kaston Clarke went the distance with Ty Kopp, winning with a 16-3 major decision. Brantley Klein made weight and had easy work against the Cardinals earning a forfeit at the 133 spot. Brayden Gilb at 134 got the fans on their feet with a 45 second pin against Aaron Kindt, followed by a forfeit to Jordan Vortherms. At 152, the mighty Lucas Kuball pinned Dawson Holtz in 50 seconds, followed by Quintin Lewis scoring his fall against Hudson Hough with 15 seconds left in the third period. After Jaxon Wendorff fell to Matthew Gangstad at 172, Levi Lewis pinned Jaxson McTigue in the 189 bout. Luke Iverson at 215 and Colby Kesteloot at heavyweight both received forfeits, awarding the 64-12 win to the Warriors.

For the TMB dual, the lights were dimmed and the single spotlight hung over the center of the gym with a single mat pulled into position. The Warriors staged in the wings, waiting for their entrance with the youth. The team with the youth circled their mat and the fans eagerly anticipated the dual of the night.

At 107, Luke Sweetman scored on a go behind from a front headlock for the first period takedown. In the second period starting neutral, Sweetman scored much in the same fashion with a head in the hole. Eathan Johnson of the Panthers scored on an escape and the wrestlers stayed on their feet for the duration of the period. For the third period Sweetman started on the bottom referees position, switched for a reversal, got in on a half and scored the pin for the Warriors, putting up a quick 6-0 lead.

At 114, Brodik Clarke took on Lane Hoffman and with all his might took Lane to the mat for the 36 second pin. At 121, Kaston Clarke, in a nailbiter, went the distance and had both sides of the gym on its feet as he got a takedown at the final buzzer. It wasn’t in time, and the 3-2 decision went to Taylor Squires. This time 127 was Thomas Pruitt, and Weston Marten was too much as he gave up the fall in the first period, leaving the score Warriors 12 Panthers 9.

At 133, Dan Hansen had Mua Vang. The fight was back and forth into the third period, where Dane had a reversal and finished on top, but couldn’t score any more, losing by decision 10-13. This tied the score 12-12.

After Adam Iverson was pinned by David Schuh at 139, Brayden Gilb at 145 took Nolan Verlinde all the way into the third period, where he would finish with an 11-5 decision. This brought the Warriors closer, 15-18.

Lucas Kuball had Tyler Arnold at 152 and scored the first takedown with a go behind as Arnold worked a front head lock. Starting neutral in the second, Arnold scored, throwing Kuball to his back as Kuball worked a headlock. Kuball would escape and get a neutral start and score with an ankle pick, putting Arnold to the mat. Kuball locked Arnold’s arms and scored a 2-point nearfall with a Witzel. Kuball started on bottom for the third period, switched and got two hands on Arnold’s leg, getting behind for the 2 point reversal. Looking for a cradle Kuball scored a 4 point nearfall with a honeymooner and finished the match with a 15-3 major decision.

Quintin Lewis at 160 took Jaxter Pfarr to the mat with a single arm and worked a butcher for the pinfall. The score was now Warriors 25 TMB 18. Jaxon Wendorff had the match with Nevin Marten and 32 points were scored in the match. Eleven of them went to Jaxon as he had Marten on his heels for a bit, but just couldn’t quite finish. Wendorff scored two takedowns and 4 escapes on his way and nearly had Marten on his back a couple of times, but Marten found a way out.

Luke Iverson at 189 drew Lawton Verlinde, who got the first takedown. Iverson started working his defense, and from a tight wing and a half found his way to a reversal but got a little too high as Verlinde got his 2 points back with a reversal of his own. In the second period, Iverson starting on bottom, muscled himself to his feet for the escape and got to Verlindes hips, working a power half to ride out the period. Iverson started on top for the third period and finally got to the signature Witzel for a 3-point nearfall, finishing the match 10-5.

Vincent Bray powered through his 215 bout, taking Adam Hippe 5 times with two 4-point nearfalls and scoring a tech fall with a 23-2 score. Colby Kesteloot at 285 had Jack Willhite and these boys were hand fighting for position hard. Kesteloot finally scored with an outside single, putting Willhite to his back out of bounds. Kesteloot started on bottom for the second period and quickly earned his escape, got in on another single, worked a butcher and pinned Willhite for the dual 39-22 dual win.

Warrior fans, pack your bags! They are headed to Jackson Friday, February 6th for a dual. We need your support, as this is the last regular season dual of the year. Go Warriors!