WARRIOR WRESTLERS MAKE FINAL FOUR

The Fulda/MCC Warrior wrestling team does it again, by making the final four of the section 3A wrestling tournament. Coming in as an underdog to the Pipestone Arrows, having lost twice to them already this year, the Warriors had their work cut out for them. On December 1st the Warriors fell to the Arrows 30-49, then on February 7 the Warriors again fell to the Arrows 23-40. February 16th marks the day the Warriors would fight off of their back and come out from underneath the Arrows to punch their ticket to the final four with a score of 42-31.

Kaston Clarke vs. Carloseriel Perez-Garcia This would be the second time in two weeks Clarke and Garcia would meet. On the 7th Clarke won by decision and it was hoped that he would repeat that work, but Garcia, like any good wrestler hit the practice room hard and found a move he could use, that would catch Clarke off guard. The Fireman’s Carry with one leg in, diving in between Clarke’s legs, then catching an arm and putting him on his back. Carloseriel would repeat this move multiple times time throughout the match and Clarke didn’t find a defense for it until the second period. Down 14 to 4 to start the second period, Clarke performed better, blocking the fireman’s and making his way to the third period. Garcia kept the pressure on. The only defense Clarke had was to score escapes from takedowns which he did and held Garcia and the Arrows to a major decision (24-10) by fighting hard and not quitting. (4-0) Arrows Hunter Guardado vs. Brayden Gilb Guardado would take the place of Miklo Hernandez for the Arrows because of a skin issue. The last meeting, the Warriors lost by a decision to Miklo Hernandez and in the 1st dual of the year, Brayden Gilb lost 15-5 against Hernandez. Tonight, however, Hunter Guardado took the stage for the Arrows and Brayden Gilb had his way with him. Brayden Gilb had that look in his eye, that of a Warrior! The positive energy was beginning to ooze through the team, knowing Gilb had a good chance here. Gilb gave up an early takedown, but caught a leg in the scramble and pulling it in, circled out for a reversal. Catching an armbar and a wrist Gilb ran Guardado to his back on the edge of the mat for a nearfall. For the second period, the wrestlers would start in neutral position where Gilb got deep on a single leg, but the defense of Guardado scored against Gilb. Gilb would score the escape and had trouble getting anything for the remainder of the period. To start the third period Gilb had a 6-4 lead against Guardado. Gilb, starting on top referee’s position, did not let Guardado breath, and showing some real heart, imposed his will, putting Guardado on his back and with the weight of his body centrally located on the sternum of Guardado, while holding an arm, waited for the pin and got it with 1:30 seconds left in the match. Gilb gave a flex and a barbaric yawp, looking to the bench of awaiting wrestlers, to give them another helping of positive energy. (4-6) Warriors Teague Meyer vs. Haden Mulvihill After a takedown clinic and a pin by Brayden Burmeister against Kaden Landsman, making the score 10-6 in favor of the Arrows, Teague Meyer took to the mat looking really loose, shaking arms and shoulders in anticipation of the match. It took one minute and fifty seconds for Meyer to feel out Mulvihill, get aggressive and score on a solid double leg takedown, driving Mulvihill to his side and ending the period 2-0 Meyer. The second period, Meyer started on top referee’s position and caught a two on one tilt, as Mulvihill was trying to escape, and brought him to his back for a 2-point nearfall. Mulvihill rolled out of the tilt and Meyer caught a leg and the wrestlers found themselves in a stalemate. Again, to the center of the mat with Meyer on top, he had a plan and the willingness to execute. Meyer reached for a nearside cradle and doubled Mulvihill over and locked it up. Meyer pulled Mulvihill to his back and with the cradle locked in put his chin on Mulvihill’s shoulder and pushed it to the mat. Mulvihill had no escape and fell to the pin. Meyer, in a fit of glory, flexed on him in the center of the mat stomping his feet showing his dominance to the rest of the team, as they looked on in eager anticipation of their turn. With Meyer’s pin the Warriors would be up 12-10 as the number 1 wrestler for the Arrows, Hudson Burnet took the stage.

Lucas Kuball vs. Hudson Burnett When fighting for the team against an unbeatable foe, sometimes a wrestler will try everything he can just to get through three periods of wrestling. Kuball in the 1st period was taken down 4 times with cuts in between by Burnett. Kuball was called for stalling trying to keep Burnett from turning him while Burnett was called for stalling by ferociously cutting Kuball off the mat at the end of the 1st period. Burnett, starting on top in the 2nd period had a game plan, and that was to dominate. Kuball, starting on bottom wasn’t given an inch, as Burnett stayed on top looking for an outside cradle and eventually got it pinning Kuball 49 seconds into the third period giving the Arrows an edge 16-12.

Davis Budden vs. Denver Ash The Arrows, looking to make hay with their best wrestlers, came out looking for another pin against Ash. Ash performed to the best of his ability and took Budden the distance. Budden scored 4 points on takedowns and Ash had excellent defense scoring his own points on a couple of escapes. Starting the second period 4-2, both wrestlers started in neutral. Budden kept the pressure on, scoring on three single legs and one intentional cut. Starting the 3rd period 10-4, Ash on bottom, scored with an intentional escape allowed by Budden. Ash got in on an underhook and put Budden to his back and scored a takedown, immediately followed by a reversal from Budden. Ash would score one more escape and work excellent defense, holding Budden to a decision, giving the Warriors a better chance with a 19-12 team score.

Aiden Lorenzen vs. Ritch Sobrecary Lorenzen, packing a punch with 145 lbs. of cowboy power, took Sobrecary to town almost instantly with his perfect Hi Crotch to a double and going out of bounds. With a fresh start, Lorenzen chose to start neutral, giving up a point, leaning on his excellent takedowns. Lorenzen got in on a single, catching the head of Sobrecary and locked hands putting him in a cradle and scoring the pin bringing the score up 18-19 in favor of the Arrows. Quintin Lewis vs. Carlos Saenloungraj Lewis, a tall strong freshman for the Warriors with the momentum of a freight train behind him, put the pressure on Saenloungraj. Lewis had him on his heels from the beginning, waiting for his opportunity, got in on a shot, putting Saenloungraj right to his back, scoring another 6 for the Warriors back to back gaining the lead 24-19.

Owen Olsom Vs. Lucas Thooft A scoreless first period, as, Thooft the aggressor, and Olsem working defense, put the wrestlers into the second period and Olsem would be the first to score with two penalty points for clasping. Then Olsem kept the pressure on, scoring a reversal out of bottom position. As a snowball builds, so Olsem kept building towards the win, scoring on a single out of the neutral position. Thooft, gaining a reversal and looking for a big move, was not allowed anything, as Olsem got out with a reversal and finished the match 9-2 with a decision.

Carter Benda Vs. Bode Bruns With a team score of 19-27 going into the 170 bout, Benda steamrolled, scoring out of a front headlock, getting an early 2-0 lead in the match, then cutting Bruns looking for more. Benda, starting down in the second period, was looking to score points with an escape or reversal. He got the reversal sitting out. Benda, good on his feet, gave up the escape and the wrestlers stayed on their feet. Bruns, working good defense, brought them into the third period 4-2. Bruns, starting bottom in the third period, Benda allowing a point starting neutral. Benda, excellent on his feet, fought off a single leg and scored with a head in the hole. Bruns, working out again and with a fresh start after a stalemate, scored on another go behind. Allowing Bruns up, they finished on their feet with Benda getting the decision win 8-5. 30-19 Warriors The Warriors wrestling up to fill in their open weight, had Iverson at 182 against Jackson Melcher. Melcher, the stronger wrestler, caught Iverson in a cradle early in the match and scored with a pin. 30-25 Warriors.

Carson Klein Vs. Griffin Smidt Smidt, from his feet, started the match trying to finish early, throwing a headlock of which, Klein defended and scored the takedown, putting Smidt to his belly. After some blood time, Klein, started on top referee’s position and needed the win to start slamming the door on the Arrows. Klein, head up and shoulders back, put Smidt in a crossface cradle, rolling him over with the referee in position and scored the pin. 36-25 Warriors Colby Kesteloot Vs. Aiden Voss Back into their weights, the Warriors call on Kesteloot to wrestle a tall senior Aiden Voss. Voss, with an early takedown and two nearfalls put up 6 quick points on Kesteloot. Being resilient, Kesteloot held his own and as Voss, after giving up an escape, tried to put a big move on Kesteloot, was up against great defense. Kesteloot scored back with a take down and a nearfall on the edge of the mat to finish the period 7-5. The long-legged Voss working his legs on a Turk, tried everything in the book to score the pin on the Warriors. Kesteloot did a very good job doing everything he could, staying in good position and finished the 2nd period without allowing a point. The Third period, Voss took Kesteloot to the edge of the mat and caught him in a reverse headlock and scored the pin making the score 36-31 Warriors. Rylan Klein Vs. Avery Gutierez

In the Winner Take All heavyweight match, Klein ripped off the Bandaid quickly by pinning Gutierez in 26 seconds, putting the Warriors into the final four of the section, upsetting the Arrows again.

On Saturday, the Warriors took on the Jackson County Central Huskies and finished with a final score of 76-0. With Torrin Clarke, Aiden Lorenzen, Quintin Lewis, and Owen Olsem all going the distance in their matches, but unable to finish with a win, the team season ended for the Warriors.

The Warriors, now look forward to the individual section championship held in Jackson, are hoping to finish 1st or second to make it to the state tournament, held the following week.

Good Luck and God bless, Warriors