They have dropped from third to fourth, state ranking-wise (Class 'A'), but the Laker wrestlers are a formidable unit. Indeed, they took care of business nicely in their dual vs. BOLD at Olivia. It was on Thursday when the juggernaut Lakers downed the Warriors 60-16.
Lots of highlights. Bonus points came frequently. The little guy at 106 pounds, Nick Ankeny, pinned Brady Kiecker in 1:15. Mason Schiffler at 113 pounds took care of business vs. Gavin Hammerschmidt: a fall in :27. Then it was BOLD Warrior Austin Kiecker pinning Nathan Dell in :34. Jacob Blair at 126 won for the Lakers over Ryan Gass: a technical fall, 16-1 in 4:57. Laker Easton McCrory pinned Stevie McMath in 2:34.
David Lilienthal at 138 handled Neil Young of the Warriors: a fall in 4:27. 'Waska momentum rolled forward as Chase Boelke pinned Tanner Weidauer in :38. Mason Blair won by technical fall over Hunter Ridler in 3:56. Then it was Max Reichmann at 160 posting a 9-1 major decision over Jordan Amberg. BOLD got a win at 170 pounds where Anthony Maher won by a 16-8 major decision over Ryan VanLuik.
Laker Tyson Meyer at 182 pounds pinned Blake Flann in 2:45. Tyler VanLuik at 195 pinned Gavin Moudry in 1:03.
The most anticipated bout of the evening was 220 pounds. The big guys here both had fine credentials. How would it go between Dylan Jergenson and Tim Peppel? It was Peppel's night to shine as he treated the fans at his home gym to a 3:37 fall over 'Waska's Jergenson.
On to 285 pounds. The burly guys here were Isaiah Miller of 'Waska and Sheldon Enriquez of BOLD. Miller put a final flourish on 'Waska's evening of success with a 10-0 major decision.
Lakers 34, Minot ND 24
The Lakers had little time to refresh after the BOLD match. For on Friday, the Lakers had a full plate in the West Fargo Bouts. The initial foe: Minot, North Dakota. It was no routine win but the Lakers prevailed, score of 34-24. Fans gathered at West Fargo High School.
Nick Ankeny found the going rough at 106 pounds where he lost by fall to Gabe Mortensen, time of 4:37. Mason Schiffler got his arm raised in victory at 113 pounds: 14-7 decision over Zachary Imler. Jacob Blair took care of business for the Lakers at 120 pounds, decisioning Stephen Schulze 5-3.
Then at 126 pounds it was Easton McCrory carving out a 6-2 triumph vs. Victor Garcia. Minot's Kelby Armstrong overcame Caden Koziol in a 16-1 technical fall. Minot's David Schulze won by major decision 13-3 over Chase Boelke. Minot gained more steam when Trevon McClaanahan won 7-1 over Mason Blair.
Max Reichmann put up a roadblock to Minot when he decisioned Carter Peterson 10-5. But Minot showed it still had spunk as their Chase Burke won 6-1 over Ryan VanLuik. 'Waska's Adam Larson won by an 11-2 major decision over Xylis Holter. Tyson Meyer came on strong at 182 pounds as he pinned Isaac Fernandez (1:18). Jacob Carmichael of Minot worked to an 11-6 decision over Nathan Rankin.
The "big guys" phase included Tyler VanLuik pinning Preston Jones in 5:02. Then at 285 pounds it was 'Waska's Dylan Jergenson putting an exclamation point on the evening with his fall win over Asher Woods (2:32).
Lakers 60, West Fargo Sheyanne 22
Still more action was presented in this two-day test of resilience. 'Waska lived up to its elite ranked status with a 60-22 win over West Fargo Sheyenne. My inclination is to type "Sheyenne" as "Cheyenne." West Fargo is where the Fargo Fair is held, an event I first visited in 1973 - great time.
The Lakers had a 2-0 day and finished off a 3-0 stretch over the two days - lots of highlights for fans to be sure. As usual the heaviest weights seemed like the surest thing for the Lakers, but the quality is distributed throughout. But Hunter Johnson of the Lakers was humbled at 106 pounds, as he lost by fall in 3:02 to Carter Zink.
The Sheyenne boys picked up points at the lightest weights but they needed a forfeit at 113 pounds. Connor Manske of Sheyenne won there. Then at 120 pounds, Marcus Johnson of Sheyenne pinned Jacob Blair in 4:59. Easton McCrory of the Lakers fought to a pin in 1:30 over Alexander Spray.
David Lilienthal moved down to 132 pounds and impressed with his fall in 1:16 over Kellen Hoomaert. Sheyenne stormed back with Mekhi Dennis' major decision win over Chase Boelke, 10-1.
The next stage of this match gave a glimpse of something I dislike about the sport: forfeits. Unfortunately there was a succession of four of these. Let's record the Minnewaska forfeit winners: Mason Blair at 145 pounds, Max Reichmann at 152, Ryan VanLuik at 160 and Adam Larson at 170. Let's have some more action: Minnewaska did not disappoint as Tyson Meyer pinned Ryder Weigel in 1:09.
Tyler VanLuik pinned Shane Kennedy in 2:57. Dylan Jergenson was another forfeit winner. But the 285-pounders were showcased and here it was Isaiah Miller pinning Nick Vetter in 1:43.
A little rest would be timely now for the Lakers and fans. We'll be anticipating the post-season soon. March is a uniquely exciting time for wrestling!
Not that it's important, but. . .
Today is Tuesday, Jan. 28, and it's my 65th birthday, my Medicare birthday. It's a little anticlimactic because I went on Medicare on the first day of the month. Happy new year!
And so now I can present myself as a bona fide senior citizen, 65 being the traditional standard. People of that age hardly fashion themselves as being "old." That especially applies to my generation, the boomers. "OK boomer," you might be thinking. We ought to feel for the millennials coming of age in a time when their material position in life is apparently not generous. I feel for them. Maybe a little re-distribution would be apt. This will sort itself out with politics as time goes by.
I still enjoy writing about the sport of wrestling. Never will I tire of writing about student athletes. March should be a very exciting month for the Minnewaska Area Laker wrestlers. Get ready for the "Madness."
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
 |
| Your blog host at the time of his fourth birthday, in St. Paul. Mom had a terrific cake recipe! |
No comments:
Post a Comment