WCAAE Grapplers Triumphant in Triangular!!

By: Kevin Fick

“Nothing seems to contribute so much to the ultimate success of a man as a few real failures, nor anything to be so fatal to a budding career as an easy initial success.”    Johnny ‘Blood’ McNally

Thursday, Jan. 17^th

The WCAAE Knight wrestlers hosted a triangular against the Browerville Tigers and the Breckenridge-Campbell-Tintah Cowboys.  After a long road stint that found the Knights gaining success weekly, Coach Gruchow lead his team into the friendly confines of the Barrett school in front of a good home crowd.  The hometown team did not disappoint going 2-0 for the evening.  If any readers believe that in a wrestling match two teams send their representatives aimlessly to the mat to roll around on the floor or that it is solely a gladiatorial and brutish sport (although in Hunter’s case that may sometimes be true), then it is apparent that the individual has not spent much time at a high school wrestling meet.  It is true that these contests require large amounts of speed, agility, grace, and strength but just like any other sport there is also a large amount of strategy.  Part of this is researching and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent.  Coaches Gruchow and Onstad put on a great display of insight through shifting wrestlers around in weight classes trying to “match up” bouts and gain team victories.  This includes a large buy-in from the wrestlers as all members have to agree to team concepts and large individual sacrifices are sometimes made. 

About the recent turn of events the oldest member of the Knights team Junior Braedon Long states…”I believe that the Knights wrestling team has overcome that big hurdle we were stuck on.  We’ve stepped it up as a team and as individuals.  We have young teammates that are all stepping forward to be leaders.”

WCAAE 45,  Browerville 28

106-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated by Noah Becker per decision 2-5, 113-Levi Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Dalton Butler per decision 4-2, 120-Wyatt Odegaard (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 126-Alex Olson (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 132-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated by Adam Sutlief per major decision 1-9, 138-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated Jackson Wollenburg per fall 5:32, 145-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated Ezquiel Nava per fall :41, 152-Zack Salo (WCAAE) defeated by Jordan Statema per decision 3-5 in OT, 160-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated  Harry Henley per fall 1:25, 170-Blake Amundson (WCAAE) defeated by Austin Butler per fall 1:26, 182-Sid Kamrath (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 195-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) defeated by Damian Lange per fall 1:41, 220-T.J. Waskosy (WCAAE)defeated by Jake Gaida per fall 5:26, 285-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) won per forfeit

WCAAE 42, B/C-F 37

106-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated Mason Meyer per fall 1:31, 113-Levi Larkin (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 120-Wyatt Odegaard (WCAAE) defeated by Conrad Kondos per fall 2:12, 126-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 132- Alex Olson (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 138-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 145-Aaron Plasky (WCAAE) defeated by Josh Stuehrenberg per fall 1:00, 152-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated by Josh Petersen per decision 3-5, 160-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated by Trenton Hought per major decision 1-9, 170-Blake Amundson (WCAAE) defeated by Michael Whitney per fall 1:35, 182-Sid Kamrath (WCAAE) defeated by Derek Nordick per fall 1:16, 195-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) defeated Tyler Vold per fall 3:25, 220-T.J. Waskosky (WCAAE) defeated by Cody Clift per fall 1:40, 285-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) won per forfeit
A milestone was recorded tonight as a WCAAE grappler recorded his 50^th victory.  50 wins is a goal for many varsity wrestlers but what makes this special is that Jake Larkin accomplished it as a freshman. “It feels good to reach this first milestone…” states Larkin…”I have put so many years into this program and I’m just glad things are starting to pay off.”

The Knights are gearing up for a long week seeing action Tues. the 22^nd  in Park Rapids, the dual starts at 6 pm.  Thur. the 24^th will find the Knights in their final home match defending their turf on ‘Parents Night’ against rival Osakis, start time is slated for 6 pm.  Friday the 25^th the team travels to Browerville for an evening tournament.  Start time is 4 pm, coverage of the night can be found on KKOK 95.7 FM.