point nearfall

point nearfall, a takedown and escape for a total of ten points to take the match with a decision 10-5.

Teague Meyer at 120, made up for the loss ahead of him, taking Matthew Gangestad the distance, scoring the first takedown with a low single pick. After letting Gangestad up, giving up an escape, the wrestlers would stay neutral for the remainder of the period even though there were multiple attemps by Meyer, to keep the scoring going. Meyer starting on bottom in the 2nd period, with a switch and a head in the hole got behind Gangestad scoring a reverse for 2. Gangestad, escaping an attempted butcher, score, another escape but Meyer wasn’t swayed, as he scored on another low single, putting Gangestad on the mat again. This time, rather than fighting, allowed Gangestad up for free, knowing his takedowns are strong. Meyer scored out of the scramble on the edge of the mat, finishing the 2nd period 8-3. Gangestad chose the down position and Meyer allowed him up to start the neutral position. Meyer then scored again with his trademark low single and finished the match 10-5 with a decision for the Warriors.

Torrin Clark at 126 was unable to get his offense going through the match, but stayed in good position, only giving up a decision against Leif Ingebretson. Denver Ash at 132, defending a shot by Hudson Hough, scored a takedown with a hard cross face go behind, and rode out the remainder of the period, unable to turn Hough. In the second period, Ash, starting in bottom position earned a penalty point on a clasp, then scored a reversal with his free move, catching a deep armbar as he went behind Hough scoring a 3 point nearfall and riding out the remainder of the period, staying on top. The third rode him out and stayed on top the entire period, wearing Bonnett down for the third period, where Iverson would start on bottom. Looking to score, Iverson, standing up while picking the hands of Bonnett with back pressure, fell on top and secured a reverse half turning on top of Bonnett, securing the pin. Another big match for Iverson, working hard against putting up solid numbers for himself and the team.

Carson Klein, at 182, wrestled a hard 3 periods, holding Sam Rock to a decision, earning two escapes in the third period, making the final score of the match 9-2.

After Weston Kruger fell to Jacob Madison, Colby Kesteloot at 220 had Kane Akkerman with double underhook and a forward trip with a bear hug, put Akkerman to the mat on his back, and held him there switching to a half, scoring the pin.

The final match of the night went to Luverne as Rylan Klein, after 5 minutes and 43 seconds of fighting for position, couldn’t escape and score on Masyn Akkerman, taking a fall and making the final team score 27-39 in favor of the Warriors.

On Friday the Warriors traveled to Lamberton for the Red Rock Central Tournament and performed well placing 6 wrestlers. Thomas Pruitt earned 5th at 106, Kaden Landsman 3rd at 113, Torrin Clarke 2nd place at 126, Denver Ash 4th at 132, Aiden Lorenzen 4th place at 138 and Carson Klein 3rd place at 170.

On Saturday, the Warriors travelled to Jackson, Minnesota with the 7-9th grade team for the regional state individual qualifier, and performed on an exceptionally good level, sweeping the field of 12 teams with a total of 225 team points, above Zumbrota-Mazeppa.

These Warrior 9th graders got on a roll of winning and like wildfire, it spread through the team and bottom to top, each wrestler did their thing, sending 5 wrestlers to the state tournament, held in Champlin Park Saturday February 4th.

There aren’t words to describe the atmosphere in the gym at Jackson as this group of wrestlers entered the finals. On three mats, with 13 wrestlers in the finals, I needed six eyes to catch all of the action. At one point we had two championship matches taking place simultaneously, as Colby Kesteloot and Luke Iverson pinned their way to the 1st place podium. Also Lucas Kuball, with a crossface cradle at 132 punched his ticket to the state tournament, as well as Quintin Lewis with a solid, performance, as always. Noah Mathiowetz took second place at 138 earning a trip as well. Other place winners were Mason Kirchner with 6th place Kaston Clark 4th Thomas Pruitt 5th Brayden Gilb 5th Teague Meyer 3rd Carson Lewis 4th Jaxon Wendorff 5th Westin Kruger 4th