Vikings nipped by WCA, 33-31
Minneota is beginning to flex its muscle among the elite Class A teams. Although they lost a close match Thursday night to No. 6-ranked West Central Area/Ashby-Brandon-Evansville (14-0), 33-31, the Vikings were without two highly-ranked state veterans in the lineup.
"I thought our guys competed very well and it was a great atmosphere for a dual that we don't get to see very often," said Minneota coach Matt Myrvik.It was fun to compete against a very good team that will more than likely end up in the state tournament."
Both teams won seven matches, although WCA had four pins to Minneota's three.
Adam DeVlaeminck's major decision at 106 pounds gave the Vikings an early 3-0 lead. Peyton Gillund, ranked No. 5 at 120 pounds, and Troy Van Keulen at 126 had consecutive first-period pins to boost Minneota's lead to 16-6 after four matches.
The visitors then won the next two matches to cut the Vikings' lead to 16-15.
Brock Fier at 145 pounds notched a pin in the first period for a 22-15 advantage. Again, WCA cut the Vikings' lead to one point with consecutive decisions at 152 and 160 pounds.
Alex DePestel kept the Vikings in front with an 8-2 win at 160 pounds, 25-21.
The match of the night featured top-ranked Jonah Gruenes of Minneota at 170 points against No. 3 Anthony Sykora. Gruenes was in control most of the match until Sykora scored late for a 4-3 victory.
"Jonah will use this to improve in a few areas he needs to, and this loss will help to prepare him for what he wants to do come post-season," said Myrvik.
WCA won notched a pin at 182 pounds to take a 27-25 lead. Minneota's Conner Sik earned a decision at 195 pounds to regain the lead, 28-27.
WCA then got a pin from No. 2-ranked Colton Lindquist at 220 pounds for a 33-28 advantage.
Minneota's Hudson Scholten earned a decision at 285 pounds for the final margin.
The Vikings are still without Zack Fier, rated No. 5 at 160 pounds, and Jackson Esping, No. 3 at 220 pounds. Both have lower body injuries.
West Central Area 33, Minneota 31
106 - Adam DeVlaeminck, Min, majdec Owen Gruchow 17-4
113 - Sam Olson, WCA, pin Quinton Anderson 2:19
120 - Peyton Gillund, Min, pin Adam Lohse 1:43
126 - Troy Van Keulen, Min, pin Mason Richter 1:06
132 - Hunter Gruchow, WCA, dec Kade Lozinski 7-1
138 - Solomon Wales, WCA, pin Destin Fier 2:40
145 - Brock Fier, Min, pin Jacob Schaffran 1:11
152 - Ashton Danner, WCA, dec Eli Gruenes 6-1
160 - Alex DePestel, Min, dec Jeremy Blascyk 8-2
170 - Anthony Sykora, WCA, dec Jonah Gruenes 5-4
182 - Beau Robinson, WCA, pin Branden Johnson 1:36
195 - Conner Sik, Min, dec Will Rustan 6-3
220 - Colton Lindquist, WCA, pin Kyler Lozinski :20
285 - Hudson Scholten, Min, dec Justin Blascyk 5-3
Big Ole Tournament
Results Jan. 15, Alexandria
Peyton Gillund, Troy Van Keulen and Jonah Gruenes all won individual championships for Minneota at the Big Ole Tournament on Saturday in Alexandria.
Not all the Minneota wrestler competed in the open tournament, which featured wrestlers from the same school at the same weight in some classes. There also were not the same amount of wrestlers in each bracket.
Gillund captured the 120-pound title by going 5-0, including four wins by first-period pins.
Van Keulen went 3-0 to win the 126-pound title with three pints in 40, 41 and 45 seconds.
Gruenes was the 170-pound title with a win by injury default, a major decision and a first-period pin.
Hudson Scholten placed second at 220 pounds, going 4-1 with four pins.
120 pounds
PEYTON GILLUND - won 10-7 decision over Jack Bollman, Kimball Area ... pinned Brenden Bryce, Alexandria, 1:13 ... pinned Quincy Morey, Barnesville, :35 ... pinned Christian Berg, Badger-Greenbush-Middle River, 1:00 ... pinned Noah Johnson, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, 1:14 ... 1st place
126 pounds
TROY VAN KEULEN - pinned Grayson Timm, Alexandria, :40 ... pinned Carson Roehl, Ottertail Central, :41 ... pinned Owen Carlson, Albany, :45 ... 1st place
132 pounds
KADE LOZINSKI - lost 1-2 decision to Ayden Hauck, Barnesville ... won by 12-2 major decision over Brogan Beito, Badger-Greenbush-Middle River ... won by 12-1 major decision over James Schiefelbein, Kimball Area ... lost 0-7 decision to Devin Hansen, Albany ... lost 4-5 decision to Blake Brutger, Kimball Area ... 4th place
160 pounds
ALEX DEPESTEL - was pinned by Coy Gunderson, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, 4:00 ... lost 0-1 decision to Landon Seward, Alexandria
170 pounds
JONAH GRUENES - won by injury default over Bode Roberts, New York Mills ... won by 19-8 major decision over Hunter Tate, Albany ... pinned Mason Teaser, Alexandria, :59 ... 1st place
182 pounds
BRANDEN JOHNSON - was pinned by Masyn Olson, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, 4:09 ... was pinned by Bren Salo, New York Mills, :53
220 pounds
HUDSON SCHOLTEN - pinned Kale Rich, Ottertail Central, 2:52 ... was pinned by Jordan Kroll, Barnesville, :34 ... pinned Luke Maanum, Alexandria, :44 ... pinned Collin Johnson, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, 1:14 ... pinned Braeden Peterson, New York Mills, 1:33 ... 2nd place