WARRIOR WRESTLERS BATTLED TO BRING HOME THE 3A RUNNER UP TITLE

The Warriors have had a busy couple of weeks. First, they traveled to Jackson on February 6th to take on the #1 seeded in section 3a the JCC Huskies. The Warriors did not make it easy for them, but the #1 seed proved to be too much today. While the team came up short in the end, the Warriors did not go down easily. All fought hard and some went the distance. Pushing their matches into three periods were: Dane Hanson - 107, Kaston Clarke - 114, Teague Meyer - 133. Winning their matches in three hard fought periods were: Noah Mathiowetz - 145, Isaiah Wolske - 172, Carson Klein 189, Luke Iverson - 215, and Colby Kesteloot - 285. The final team score was Huskies 41 / Warriors 18.

Thursday, February 13th the Warriors were the #3 seed hosting the TMBWWG Panthers in Slayton. With a full house on each side of the mat, the stage was set for an exciting dual. With the Green side up on the coin flip, Coach Henning and his band of Warriors would have their choice, calling the match ups.

Starting at 107, Logan Peterson for the Panthers and Dane Hanson for the Warriors. Peterson scored the first takedown and Hanson refused to submit to a tight butcher. Peterson continued to work turns and Hanson’s reluctance to turn, ended the match with a technical fall.

114 was Taylor Squires and Kaston Clarke. Clarke, on a single, scored on the edge of the mat. Squires was able to defend Clarke’s turn attempts for the first period. Clarke started bottom for the second period and Squires, working an arm bar stayed tough for the period. Starting the 3rd period 3-0, Clark and Squires starting neutral. The first scramble ended in a stalemate. Clarke worked his way out, scoring an escape, then caught a leg, scoring a takedown and looking for a major decision Henning asked Clarke to let him up. Clarke got in on a leg but was unable to score.

119 Weston Marten and Luke Sweetman went to work. Marten scored first and Sweetman worked hard to stay in good position, but Marten was too much and scored the pin.

127 Hunter Reese gave his all, yet fell short losing by pinfall. 133 Truman Olsem fell to David Schuh in the first period. 139 Teague Meyer and Nolan Verlinde met at the center and Meyer, striking first, got to Verlinde’s side, turned a single into a double and scored 3 on the edge of the mat. Verlinde got his escape point and Meyer looked for another opening. Meyer found his way to another single leg at the end of the first. Starting neutral in the second. At the end of the period, after much hand fighting, Meyer held a 9-1 lead going into the 3rd.

Starting in neutral again. Meyer, looking for bonus points and Verlinde looking to avoid bonus points, the match got heated. Verlinde did find his way to score with a takedown and looking to turn Meyer, stayed tough on the bottom, holding on to his lead taking the decision from the Panthers. The Warriors down 6-23 145 Troy Gillette and Brayden Gilb took their turn under the spotlight and Gillette scored the first takedown. Gilb, from bottom got Gillette’s head and scored an escape. Gilb then slid by and took Gillette down for 3, making the score 3-4 Gillette. 2nd period Gilb chose bottom. Sitting out and turning in, Gilb caught Gillette’s leg and scored a reversal. Gillette scored on an escape and eventually took Gilb down. Again Gilb, slippery as ever, got another reversal getting his hips over Gillette’s. With a commanding lead, Gilb started the third period on top. Both wrestlers were exhausted, but Gilb, resolute, remained strong, commanding the match, thwarting Gillette’s attempts of escaping. In the last seconds of the match, Gilb exposed Gillette’s back to the mat and scored 3 back points for the major decision.

Now at 152 Noah Mathiowetz and Tyler Arnold with Mathiowetz capturing a low single and lifting it above his head, brought Arnold to the mat for three. Arnold escaped and the score was 3-1. Mathiowetz got in on a double and came out the back door for 3 early in the 2nd period. 6-1. Arnold got in on a shot and took Mathiowetz down early in the 3rd making the score 6-5. Arnold chose neutral position, awarding Mathiowetz an escape, hoping for the takedown, but Mathiowetz stayed strong and scored his own takedown, eventually winning the match 10-6.

160 Lucas Kuball back from knee surgery, making his varsity debut after 1 practice and 4 months of recovery, got his medical release, filling a spot on the team after another wrestler was injured, was called to wrestle Maverick Snyder. Kuball scored early on a good single switching to a double, then got in on a cradle, hanging on with shoulders close for about thirty seconds, scored 4 back points only and ended up with a nose bleed. With a 7-1 lead going

into the 2nd period, Kuball, undeterred, gave his all starting neutral, held his ground until Snyder got behind him scoring 3. Going into the third period 7-4 Snyder with a full head of steam, got behind Kuball capturing an armbar and worked a turn, pinning Kuball.

172, with a score of 18-29 the Warriors needed some wins and Isaiah Wolske was called to the mat against Jaxter. Wolske set up a fireman’s carry and brought Jaxter to the mat. Immediately working an armbar got Jaxter exposed, then with a reverse half finished him with a pin and 6 points for the Warriors.

189 Luke Iverson drew a muscle bound Nevin Marten of the Panthers and fought through two takedowns and a turn attempt with an arm bar in the first period. Iverson earned his escape and after a clock reset, the wrestlers were neutral at the center. Iverson, heavy on Martens head finished the 1st period behind 2-6. Neutral to start the 2nd, Iverson got a front headlock and captured Martens’ knee to secure a cradle and held on till the job was done’ scoring 6 for the Warriors.

215 Verlinde and Carson Klein went to work, a couple of very competetive wrestlers, very aggressive, worked to the edge of the mat. Starting neutral, vying for position, faking shots and hand fighting, Verlinde got in a leg and Klein defended. With a score of 0-0 to start the second Verlinde chose top, worked himself to a headlock and Klein defended and put him to his back to score a reversal. 2-0 Klein. 3rd period 25-29, the Warriors needed the win and Klein from neutral scored a takedown with a single leg, now 5-0 and needing the win, Klein worked his best defense and Verlinde his best 3rd period offense.

Now 28-29, it all comes down to the heavyweight match and a stoic Colby Kesteloot walked out on the mat like he’s seen it a thousand times. His eyes piercing and determination in his blood, you could feel the tension in the building. Richer Yang, the opponent from the Panthers. Kesteloot throwing his elbow into Yang’s underhook, making his own opening for the single leg, got it and scored the 3 with one foot in bounds. Now in referees position, with a good lead, Kesteloot needed to ride out or work turns. Yang, staying flat wasn’t gonna give much up. 2nd period Kesteloot on bottom, Richer looking for a turn. Kesteloot working defense eventually sprang up and unlocked Yang’s wrists for the escape. Yang got a body lock and threw Kesteloot to the mat and covered him for a takedown, Kesteloot shot to his feet to get one back and keep the lead 5-3. Third period, everyone knew what was coming and Yang was head hunting. Kesteloot threw his elbow to sway his attempts. Finally one came and Yang got a headlock. Kesteloot defended it perfectly, dropping to a leg and pulling his head out of the lock to score the takedown and increase his lead 8-3. Now Kesteloot just needed to ride out the period and Yang, with an empty tank made it easy. The Warriors win 31-29 and make it to the final four, hanging on to the #3 seed to see Adrian.

The Final Four was held in Slayton on Saturday, February 15th. The Warriors were making their 4th appearance in 4 years which has never been done by the Warrior club. This year they were hoping to make it to the next level and get past the first round and enter the championship dual. Adrian stood in the way, always a formidable opponent and the Warriors, down a couple of wrestlers to injuries, meant other wrestlers needed to step up and make a difference. Walking into the gym, I was met by an unfamiliar sight as the wrestlers lined up on each side of the mat looking at each other seemingly sizing each other up. The tension was building and no one could have predicted the outcome. Everyone hopeful for their team, knowing who their best wrestlers were and where wins were expected and hoping losses didn’t lead to bonus points or too many bonus points.

First up for the Warriors at 107 was Dane Hanson and Val Jenniges. Hanson came out firing on all cylinders, catching a leg and circling around to secure the takedown and start working turns, scoring 4 points with a butcher and a pin, going up 6-0 to start the dual. 6-0 Warriors 114 was Luke Sweetman and Riley Harberts. Sweetman snapping the head and going behind. Sweetman drew first blood, but Harberts came back with a reversal looking for a pin with Sweetman, giving his all to avoid the pin. Sweetman got off his back and started the second period 3-6 Harberts. Harberts, on top to start the second working an armbar, put Sweetman on his back again with an armbar and a wrist scored a pinfall. Now 6-6 going into the 121 weight was Kaston Clarke against Bryson Kunkel scoring a quick takedown, working an armbar and stretching him out, scored the fall.12-6 Warriors 127 brought Hunter Reese and Aiden Timmer. Timmer, with a quick takedown to start the match, looking for a turn right away, but Reese defended himself. Timmer scored 4 nearfall points. Now 7-0 after the 1st period. Timmer chose top to start the second and scored 4 more back points. Reese, avoiding the pin. 13-0 after the second period Reese just needed to avoid the pin. Reese started on top and Timmer scored the reversal securing the tech. fall, but with the back exposed, Reese, giving it everything, held on to the very end to only give up the tech fall which will pay big later in the dual. Sometimes the hardest fought matches are losses for the team to give up less bonus points.12-11 Warriors 133 brought Moe Erdman ranked #7 and Truman Olsem. Erdman put on a takedown clinic, finishing the match 17-4 with another hard fought loss by the Warriors. 12-16 Dragons Next up was Teague Meyer and Travis Wiess. After 29 seconds Wiess had a bloody nose slowing things down a bit. After over a minute of hand fighting, Wiess took a shot and Meyer fought it off with a tight whizzer. Going into the second period 0-0, Meyer chose down looking to escape, Wiess, controlling an arm, made it difficult to escape. After a restart, Meyer got to his feet and Wiess held on too long, getting a stall call. Eventually, Meyer got his escape point. With 25 seconds left in the 2nd period, Meyer got in on a low single and elevated it with Wiess going to the mat hanging on to Meyers’ leg. Meyer, eventually cleared it and scored the take down. going 4-0 to start the second. Wiess started bottom and earned his escape quickly , catching a low single, but Meyer got a whizzer and didn’t let go, working their way off the mat. With a fresh start and neutral Meyer got 2 stall calls giving a point to Wiess now 4-2. Wiess was very aggressive, but the early takedown by Meyer gave him the lead he needed, giving up one more stalling point, held on for the decision win.

145 Brayden Gilb and Charger Erlandsen. After about a minute of hand fighting, Erlandsen scored a takedown and a cradle, but Gilb fought it off with everything he had. Erlandsen scored 2 back points at the end of the first period making the score 5-0. Erlandsen started on top for the second period, eventually cut Gilb only to score a takedown, just to cut him again. Neutral again this time Gilb got his own takedown, cutting the lead down 5-7. Erlandsen followed up with a reversal, making it 10-5. Period 3. Starting neutral, Erlandsen got in on another cradle putting Gilb to the mat looking for back points 13-5. Gilb broke the cradle and reversed on Erlandsen 14-7. After an escape by Erlandsen the final score of the match 15-7 awarding a major decision to the Dragons putting them up 20-15.

152 brought Noah Mathiowetz and Jackson Jenniges. With 10 seconds left in the 1st, Jenniges got in on a leg and scored 3. Jenniges chose down to start the second and escaped. Jenniges scored again on a takedown, making the score 7-0. Jenniges held on to a bar and a wrist and with 4 seconds left in the second period Jenniges scored the fall 26-15.

160 Caleb Wolf and Lucas Kuball. In the first period, Wolf scored 3 on a takedown and a tilt for 2. Kuball scored 1 with an escape at the end of the period. Kuball, starting on top for the second period, looking for a turn got a little high and Wolf capitalized, grabbing his head and pulling him over in a cradle for the pin 32-15 Dragons.

The Warriors now needed to win out the rest of the weights with multiple pins. Isaiah Wolske and Umansor Mejia went to work at 172 and Wolske, part of the big four of the Warriors, went to work early on Meija, scoring the takedown with a fireman’s looking for the turn and the pin. 3-0 to start the second period, Wolske chose neutral and Meija took a shot. Wolske countered, scoring the takedown. Now, working for a pin again and nothing less, Wolske gave up on the arm bar and secured a cradle and scored the pin. 32-21 Dragons At 189 the Warriors sent Luke Iverson and the Dragons Jesse Bullerman. After hand fighting for most of the period, a restart, and a talking to by the ref, Iverson finally took a shot. Bullerman stuffed it and Iverson got his hips over Bullerman to secure the takedown. He went to work right away on a wrist and a half. To start the second period Iverson chose top and went to work on a pinning combination. Iverson, after a restart, scored two back points on a arm bar. Iverson, with the legs in and a power half, went to a reverse half that lead to a headlock and scored the pin on Bullerman making the score 37-32.

215 brought Tarzan Carson Klein and the everlasting perpetual figure of Roberto Hernandez of the Adrian Dragons. Klein, the aggressor early in the match, made multiple shot attempts, all defended by Hernandez, none returned. Period one ended scoreless and Klein chose down referees position and earned the escape and made a shot attempt, which got stuffed. Then another shot and finally got the leg. 4-0 Hernandez, stalling and Klein working for bonus points. At the end of the second period, Hernandez gave up a stalling point. Starting the third period, Klein got in on a solid single leg and Hernandez defense led into a takedown. 6-3. Team score 3230, down to the heavyweight match, looking for the curtain call.

It all comes down to the last match again and who do you call, but The Closer, The Hammer,

The Anchor, The Savior, Colby Kesteloot. You could cut the anxiety with a knife as everyone knew what was about to happen and the crowd chanted as Colby again made his way to the mat with one job in mind, one goal to defend his team. They got it this far he just needed to finish it.

285 Kevin Mazza from Adrian and Colby Kesteloot locked heads. Either wrestler just needed a victory. Mazza, had a weight advantage at 270 against Kesteloot’s 215. Kesteloot fighting off the hooks again stays in good position. Period one ends 0-0 and Kesteloot chose down position. Kesteloot worked his way to his feet got a stall warning on Mazza and the eventual escape point. 15 seconds left in the second period Kesteloot found an opening to make a shot and got the outside single, Mazza defended with an over/ under, and Kesteloot held on threatening to put Mazza on his back Mazza gave up the hold and Kesteloot scored the three. 4-0 going into the 3rd period neutral position Kesteloot just needed to stay in good position. AND HE DID IT!! 33-32 the final score. What a team effort it was. You can look back at the tech fall by Hunter Reese, or the major decision Gilb gave up. The tough battles that saved bonus points along with all of the other battles, made the team win and gave the eventual section runnerup

trophy which is a huge feat for this club and their families. Everyone did their job and the pride swells and will for some time. The Defeat by JCC was underwhelming as everyone still healthy with smiles on their faces went home to prepare for next week’s individual state qualifier at St. James Saturday February 22nd.