Minneota wrestlers take on Marshall, Morris

MINNEOTA TRIANGULAR

Friday, Feb. 2,

5 p.m. — Marshall; Morris and Minneota.

A team already short on veteran wrestlers lost two more this past week.
Seniors T.J. Esping and Brant Buysse are out of action due to broken bones.
Esping, the defending state heavyweight champ, suffered a broken finger in a match against Adrian at Tracy and missed the last six matches, including three on Friday at Browerville and Tuesday’s Triangular.
It’s unknown how long he may be out of action. But he’s expected back before the end of the season.
Buysse apparently suffered a broken foot when a piece of “lifting” equipment fell on it. He suffered extensive damage.
“It’s unfortunate,” coming just 16 days before the team tournament, said Coach Joel Skillings. Buysse’s status is uncertain but certainly he’s out for the immediate future.
As a result, the team was able to “limp” its way to a 39-27 win over Windom Area-Mt. Lake on Thursday but dropped three matches at Browerville: 36-28 against West Central Area; 40-31 to Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa and 47-16 against Long Prairie-Grey Eagle/Browerville.
They also won two matches against Worthington 40-24 and United, 42-24 without the two seniors.
The recent Class A Wrestling Poll had just upped the Minneota squad from seventh place to fourth in the state. All three of the teams defeating the Vikings on Friday were also in the rankings.

Both injured wrestlers were ranked in the state: Esping at No. 2 in the heavyweight class and Buysse ninth at 120 pounds.
Also coming down with an equipment-related foot injury was backup Tate Walerius, who was on crutches on Tuesday. “Tough times,” said Coach Skillings.
The Section 3A team tournament and the individuals will be held the last two weeks in February. Minneota has been one of the favorites.                
As a result of the injuries, the coaching staff has made a decision. “We’re doing straight for the kids. We’ll do what’s right for them,” said Coach Skillings.
An example was the fact T..J Esping was dressed, ready to help, with his fingers bandaged Tuesday night.
“We made the decision we’d hold him out and give him the rest, no matter how close the match was,” said the coach.
Tuesday night the youngster’s sucked it up and beat both ends of the Triangular against Worthington and United.
Against Worthington, Minneota got a nice 3-2 win at 220 pounds from Layne Lozinski as he beat Jacob Neuberger. Then Jackson Esping, a Minneota eighth grader, filling in for brother T.J. pinned Adam Russell in 1:49 to give the Vikings the match.
“Back when T.J. was a seventh grader we awarded him a shirt for his efforts,” said KQ92 announcer Dick Newman. Tuesday night, “We gave a shirt to his brother Jackson for that pin as an eighth grader,” said Newman. The brother combination had come full circle.
And T.J. Esping admitted some of Jackson’s toughness comes from the times they wrestle together at the family home.
“Mom doesn’t like it much, but we do it,” T.J. Esping chuckled.
Against United, another Minneota wrestler was injured.
Eric Carrasco, the 106-pounder, hurt his left arm and it was still sore after his 7-1 win over Dain Mortenson. The trainer gave him the chance to finish the match but his future is unknown at this time.
One match later, Jonah Gruenes was taken down, then fell into a pinning hold and eventually beat Griffin Johnson, 10-4.
And at 145, Austin Kloos was down 2-0 in the second period when he turned Layton Wittnebel and pinned him at 2:33. The Vikings went on to win, 42-24.
“Because of the injuries we’ve had to band together. Now we’ve really got to get together,” said Coach Skillings. “Our kids need to learn how to handle the pressure. After our years of success, nobody is going to feel sorry for us,” he added.

Minneota 40, Worthington 24
106-Eric Carrasco (M) dec. Damon Schutz, 5-3,
113-Jonah Gruenes (M) won forfeit.
120-Kade Lozinski (M) major dec. Kent Lais, 14-1.
126-Erik Artiga (W) won forfeit.
132-Jacob Prunty (W) maj. dec. Teddy Pesch, 11-3.
138-Blake Reiss (M) tech fall Jaden Hennings, 19-4.
145-Austin Kloos (M) dec. Lay K Paw, 7-1.
152-Cole Vanoverbeke (M) pin Juan Guizar, :39.
160-Brayden Donkersloot (W) dec. Kyle Banks, 5-0.
170-Shawn Buysse (M) maj. dec. Kyle Mullaney, 11-0.
182-Mason Byrne (W) pin  Josh Laleman, :40.
195-Marcos Herrera (W) tech fall Trey Gronke, 21-6.
220-Layne Lozinski (M) dec. Jacob Neuberger, 3-2.
285-Jackson  Esping (M) pin  Adam Russell, 1:49.

Minneota 42, United (Dawson-Boyd/Lac Qui Parle/Montevideo) 24
106-Eric Carrasco (M) de. Dain  Mortenson, 7-1.
113-Jonah Gruenes (M) dec. Griffin  Johnson, 10-4.
120-Kade Lozinski (M) maj. dec. Kadin Huntley, 10-0.
126-Trevon  Johnson (U) pin James Gednalske, 1:19.
132-Teddy Pesch (M) won forfeit,
138-Blake Reiss (M) dec. Keaton  Haas, 10-4.
145-Austin Kloos (M) pin Layton Wittnebel, 2:33.
152-Kyle Banks (M) won forfeit.
160-Peyton  Mortenson  (U) dec. Cole Vanoverbeke, 6-4.
170-Josh Laleman (M) won forfeit.
182-Shawn Buysse (M) tech fall Austin Moen,15-0.
195-Quintin Lehmann (U) dec. Layne Lozinski, 11-6.
220-Tanner Johnson (U) pin Jackson  Esping, 1:27.
285-Sam Henriksen  (U) won forfeit.