Esping win at heavyweight beats Pipestone
Heavyweight Jackson Esping doesn't really mind going to the mat with the match on the line.
In fact, he likes it.
"Yeah, I like it, but I am so tired," he smiled after beating Pipestone Area's Nick Colvin, 7-2 to give Minneota a 33-30 win over Pipestone in the Minneota Triangular on Thursday.
Pipestone beat Quad County 60-12 and Minneota turned back Quad County 60-6 to set up the final between Minneota and Pipestone.
When asked what he did to get points over Colvin, Esping said, "The Bear Hug."
After falling behind 2-0 when the two went to the mat early and rolled around, with Colvin coming out on top, Esping rallied. In the second period he took down Colvin, then nearly pin him, grabbing a 6-2 lead. He picked up an escape in the third period and held on 7-2 for the team win.
"It was nice to get a win," said Esping.
"Any time you get a win it's good for a young team," said Coach Matt Myrvik.
The Vikings actually had a 27-9 lead — but it dissipated as Pipestone's heavier boys took three of the last five matches.
Two of the most exciting matches of the day were at at 145 and 170.
At 145, Jonah Gruenes drove his record to 14-3 with a 4-2 win over Grant Budden. But it wasn't easy. He was taken down in the first period, but came back for a two-point near fall in the second frame and with the match tied 2-2, reversed Budden with 47 seconds to go to secure the win.
At 170, freshman Branden Johnson looked like he was going to lose big, trailing Aiden Voss, 8-0. But he rallied, even had a couple of near falls on Voss, but eventually lost, 14-7.
"I don't think Branden believed he could win until late in the match," said Coach Myrvik. That confidence comes with experience and the coach says several of his young players have yet to learn that.
He and sophomore Truman Wambeke both "battled through it," and, "They are still learning," said Coach Myrvik. Wambeke had a pin in the match against Quad County.
At 182 pounds, Cole Sanow continues to show the three-year-layoff he had from wrestling isn't hurting him. He got a nice 7-2 win over Mason Krakow. Zack Fier got a pin, Eric Carrasco a tech fall and lightweight Troy Van Keulen picked up a major decision.
Kade Lozinski picked up a pin and a decision in the two matches for the Vikings.
"We're very young, all the way on down. They just have to keep working hard," said the coach.
As for Esping, he's aware losing some weight will help the team. "I'm getting down to 220," Esping smiled.
Waiting to get into the lineup is heavyweight Jayden Garmak. To do that, Esping has to go down.
"He's working at it," said Coach Myrvik. Fact is, when he gets there, others can move down as well.
"It helps everyone," said the coach.
Pipestone Area 60, Quad County 12
Minneota 33, Pipestone Area 30
106: Hudson Burnett (P) maj. dec. Peyton Gillund, 16-6.
113: Troy VanKeulen (M) maj. dec. Davis Budden, 11-1.
120: Eric Carrasco (M) tech fall JJ Martens, 17-1.
126: Nate Bobendrier (P) pin Truman Wambeke, 4:38.
132: Zack Fier (M) pin Karter Wixon, 3:24.
138: Kade Lozinski (M) dec. Rogen Smidt, 7-3.
145: Jonah Gruenes (M) dec. Grant Budden, 4-2.
152: Blake Reiss (M) won on forfeit.
160: Eric Lange (P) won on forfeit.
170: Aiden Voss (P) dec. Branden Johnson, 14-7.
182: Cole Sanow (M) dec. Mason Krakow, 7-2.
195: Jayden Hoss (P) pin Tyler Gronke, 3:02.
220: Tyler DeGroot (P) pin Hudson Scholten, :45.
285: Jackson Esping (M) dec. Nick Colvin, 7-2.
Minneota 61, Quad County 6
106: Troy Van Keulen (M) pin Tarrick Rupp, 1:35.
113: Peyton Gillund (M) dec. Hunter Wilke, 10-7.
120: Eric Carrasco (M) won on forfeit.
126: Truman Wambeke (M) pin Chase Corner, 1:4.
132: Zack Fier (M) maj. dec. Luke Kluver,12-2.
138: Kade Lozinski (M) pin Abel Chaparro, :13.
145: Jonah Gruenes (M) won on forfeit.
152: Blake Reiss (M) pin Richard Vaughn, 1:07.
160: Jack Howard (QUCO) pin Branden Johnson :39.
170: Double Forfeit
182: Cole Sanow (M) won on forfeit.
190: Double Forfeit
220: Hudson Scholten (M) won on forfeit.
285: Jayden Gamrak (M) won on forfeit.