WARRIOR WRESTLING SEASON OFF TO AN EXCITING START

Wrestling for the Fulda/MCC fighting Warriors has finally begun, and with twenty three wrestlers on the roster its going to be a little bit different this season. With five new seventh graders and two more upper classmen the team has added to its ranks once again with some fresh blood.

The first triangular match of the season took place in Fulda against the Pipestone Arrows and the Red Rock Central Falcons. It was quite the spectacle when the Warriors came out of the locker room it looked as if they were endless. Very nice to see such a full team with managers, coaches and team they number 34 strong.

Pipestone was the first opponent of the night having a full roster. The Warriors were missing two weights so it was going to be tough.

Teague Meyer at 106 gave an excellent showing going into overtime with Hayden Mulvihill. Teague earned the first takedown which is always a good show of dominance and tried to turn Mulvihill with a spladle in the 1st period. After a scoreless 2nd period; into the third period we would go as Mulvihill came out fighting and took Meyer to the mat twice with takedowns, and with two escapes of his own the match was tied and we would see overtime. It took two overtime periods as these hand fighters had a hard time finding good openings for takedowns. After a forced referee’s position with Mulvihill starting on the bottom and earning an escape he would hold on to the one point lead and win the match. What an exciting match to start the season off with.

Owen Olsem and Carson Klein were the next wrestlers to score team points for the Warriors as they finished off their opponents in the first period with pins.

Christian Kuball dominated Aiden Voss for six minutes scoring six takedowns, two nearfalls on tilts and an escape. Voss scored on a reversal because of his height as he was able to get his hips away from the tilt and turn on top of Kuball where Kuball would earn his escape.

Ryder Henning at the 220 bout took 23 seconds to pin Seth Gawarecki.

At heavyweight Rylan Klein took to the mat towering at over 6’. The height of a basketball player but made for wrestling. Rylan took to the stage very good technique considering he has missed the last 4 seasons due to his desire to try basketball, but we got him back and he showed up in a big way. Klein suffered an early takedown in a headlock, but kept his composure and slid his hand through to create separation which opened up an opportunity to roll Hoss to his back and Klein held him in a reverse half for the pin. The level of excitement in the gym was deafening and it will be fun to watch this coming season.

The Warriors still didn’t have enough and fell to the Arrows 28-51.

Next up were the Red Rock Central Falcons and Teague Meyer came out firing on all cylinders as he took 10th grader Gavin Willardson to the mat with an early takedown in the first period. Teague didn’t hesitate for the cradle and put Willardson on his back. Before he had a chance to break Meyers hands the referee dropped his hand and awarded the pin and the first 6 team points to Teague.

After Torrin Clarke, and Lucas Kuball received forfeits Noah Mathiowetz and Dever Ash both lost by pinfall in the first period bringing the team score 18-12.

Aiden Lorenzen dominated over Carter Beranek using 4 different takedown techniques. Going into the heart of the third period the technician couldn’t hang on as Carter found a second wind and earned an early escape out of the referees position ultimately brought Aiden to the mat and held on for the pin. Bringing the team score to a tie.

Eighth grader Owen Olsem wrestled like a bull let out to pasture against 10th grader Andrew Pankonin. Dropping Pankonin with a 44 second pin gave the Warriors a 6 point lead.

After Jaxon Wendorff gave all he had and couldn’t hang on as Bode Determan pinned him with 6 seconds left in the first period. Carson Klein went the distance with Jacob Amsden scoring a takedown in the first period and an escape in the third finishing the match 3-0 earning a decision for the Warriors and a team score of 27-24.

Devin Landsmen and Colby Kesteloot were called to the mat to keep the score close, both put forward their best effort, but State ranked wrestlers prevailed and gave up pinfalls bringing the score 27-36.

The Warriors 182 pounder Christian Kuball was called to wrestle Austin Cowan hoping to earn a pin and only getting a major as Austin was able to stay on his belly like a turtle and Kuball wasn’t able to turn him. (31-36)

At 220lbs Ryder Henning dominated over Keaton Sherpa with a pin giving the Warriors a 37-36 lead going into the final match of the night where the Warriors needed a win to secure the team win.

Rylan Klein was the right man for the job as he came to the mat towering in height over the Falcons Gavin Hesse. Hesse the Falcons Senior secured the first takedown of which Rylan was able to escape. Hesse again took Rylan to the mat and Rylan again kept wrestling and earned a reversal on Hesse foreshadowing what was to come.

The feeling in the gym was tense as everyone realized what could possibly happen as Rylan and Hesse went into the second period both feeling pressure from their teams to secure the win. Hesse again showed his dominance by getting the first takedown but couldn’t hold on as Klein got his hips free and put a revering home 1st place for himself and the team a feat that hasn’t taken place in the Warrior club for at least 6 years. Congratulations Christian and the Warrior wrestling team.

All the hard work is paying off for this team and many excitingsal on Hesse, got a hold of him with a reverse half nelson. The crowd started rising to its feet as Rylan held on for dear life and waited for the drop of the referees’ hand signifying that this team had just won its dual. Then it happened and Rylan Klein a 4-year basketball player got a standing ovation with the entire team jumping on the mat and the whole crowd cheering. This is the first time in many years this team has been this competitive and there’s so much more to come.

The Warrior wrestling team then traveled to Okoboji on Saturday for the Okoboji invite and made an excellent showing as 6 of the wrestlers placed in the top 6.

Teague Meyer at 106 earned a default 5th place.

Torrin Clarke at 113 earned a default 6th place.

Denver Ash who has matured very well as a wrestler fought hard throughout the day losing his second match and going on to win third in the tournament. A very good day for Denver.

Aiden Lorenzen secured 5th place by pinning his opponent from the edge of the mat.

Rylan Klein in the consolation semi-finals gave up about 60 lbs to his heavyweight match and ended up losing and getting 6th.

Christian Kuball kept his composure and dominated all of his matches not giving up a single takedown. In his 1st round match with 3 takedowns and 3 tilts won a 15-0 technical fall. The semi finals match was much of the same, total domination not giving up anything wrestling 6 minutes securing himself a chance at the finals where he would wrestle and beat the #1 seed 10-1. Bring things to come as the Warriors travel to Adrian for a triangular against Marshall, and Adrian. Then on Saturday the Jackson County Central tournament.

GO WARRIORS!!!!!!