Wrestler’s Improve to 5-2 in Duals By: Kevin Fick

Thursday, Jan. 2^nd

Due to a conflict of double scheduling in the Barrett gym the wrestling dual with New York Mills was moved to the Elbow Lake Elementary School.  Anytime a team takes on a conference or section opponent there is a heightened sense in the air, when that team happens to be a conference and a section foe then it turns into a rivalry.  It is safe to say that there is a rivalry between these two teams.  Watching athletes, coaches and fans it is obvious there is more at stake in a match such as this.  Although the venue changed there was no lack of action in the Elbow Lake gym and the teams put on a fantastic display of wrestling and coaching.  The prize at stake was a possible berth of the three seed in the section. The WCAAE Knights put on a commanding display and dispatched the Eagles 46-24 improving the team to a 5-2 record. 

The evening opened with junior varsity competition and the Knights went 4-10.  Following was recognition of the elementary program as Coach Troy Lohse had 70 young wrestlers on the mat going through an opening warm-up exercise then a simulated match where 35 pairs of kids squared off all at once.  The young Knights put on a great show!  Junior varsity wrestler Chris Onstad sang the Star Spangled Banner and varsity action commenced.

Coach Gruchow said this about the night…”I feel like we stepped out on the mat tonight ready to wrestle.  We were prepared both physically and mentally; we were ready to take down a great team like New York Mills.  This was the challenge that we faced going into this match.  We knew that we needed to be prepared and have confidence in every match we wrestled.  Jake Nohre got us going at the beginning of the match with a pin.  Keaton Long really helped motivated the team with his 6-5 comeback win in the final second of his match.  We had a job for each one of our wrestlers tonight; some had to get the pin… while others had to prevent giving up the pin and there were others who had to finish somewhere inbetween.  Most of them went out and did their job and the others went a little above and beyond.  That’s what it takes to beat good team like New York Mills.  We did a lot of great things on the mat tonight. Now the goal is to keep it consistent…being prepared, mentally and physically ready, having that winner mentality in every match we wrestle from now until the end of the season.  I have a lot of respect for this group of wrestlers.  They are a hardworking and talented team it is sure fun to be a part of!”

WCAAE 46, New York Mills 23

106 lb. Jake Nohre (WCAAE) defeated Nick Hendrickxs per fall 5:16

113 lb. Levi Larkin (WCAAE) won per forfeit

120 lb. Drake Swanson (WCAAE) defeated by Jeremiah Harper per fall 4:49

126 lb. Keaton Long (WCAAE) defeated Austin Haman per dec. 6-5

132 lb. Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated by Tyler Ehnert per dec. 2-9

138 lb. Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Johhny Flynn per fall :44

145 lb. Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated Taylor Ericksrud per dec. 5-3

152 lb. Royal Crow (WCAE) defeated Maison Friedrichs per fall 3:51

160 lb. Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated Brian Pyle per major dec. 9-1

170 lb. Koel Seifort (WCAAE) defeated by Gunner Flynn per dec. 0-4

182 lb. Sid Kamrath (WCAAE) defeated by Sam Erckenbrack per fall 1:29

195 lb. Tyler Patron (NYM) won per forfeit

220 lb. Hunter Fick (WCAAE) won per forfeit

285 lb. Buzz Miller (WCAAE) defeated Cole Graybow per fall 4:09

Saturday the 4^th the Knights were scheduled for a tournament in Benson.  Weather put an end to all area athletics over the weekend.  Competition resumes Tuesday, Jan. 7^th when the Knights travel to Glenwood for a tri against the hometown Lakers and the Ortonville Trojans.  Action begins at 5 pm.  Thursday, Jan. 9^th the wrestlers travel to Browerville for a dual.  Wrestling begins at 6 pm.