Midgets pockets run deep with wrestlers, defeating Patriots by forfeits
Jan. 30—DICKINSON — The growing attraction of girls wrestling in Southwest North Dakota have populated the roster for a young Dickinson Midgets program. With many of their young girls eager to make a name for themselves in the record book, they have amplified their chances for success in their duals. Though the Midgets often secure victories by merit alone, ranked No.5 in duals, their depth certainly gave them the edge over the Bismarck Century Patriot last Thursday evening, defeating them 39-33 with 5 forfeit victories.
Dickinson High obtained 30 of their 39 points by forfeit, allowing them to end their home dual with a W.
The large home crowd that came to support the girls was a nice touch on the night, augmenting the experience for the girls who had the chance to get on the mat. The work was encumbering, but meaningful and for both Breanna Erickson and Clancy Meyer it resulted in winning their weight class match to lead the Midgets to victory.
Dickinson got off to a rocky start, with Patriots controlling early matches with consistent takedowns and securing four back-to-back falls. There were some close matches, one being an exhibition 190 weight class match between Dickinson Kendra Erickson and Gwen Kostlelcky.
Erickson stayed battling for nearly all six minutes of the match, trading takedowns with her opponent and securing a two-point near fall. However, in the last 30 seconds of the match, she was finally bested and pinned. Erickson also wrestled a dual match in the same weight class.
"It is pretty important [to get a home win]," Dickinson wrestler Clancy Meyer said. "It also helps your team out. It really gets their mind set right too."
Emily Schilling also put up a commendable fight against Vivian Backer, with the score tied at 0 going into the second round. Backer turned it around with a takedown, followed by a three-point near fall to take a decisive lead and ultimately winning by 5-1 decision.
The Midgets had padding, with their five forfeit wins, but it wasn't over for a determined Century side — that is until Breanna Erickson stepped onto the mat. Erickson was battling on the heels of her opponent in Ella Wald, ending the second period in a 3-1 deficit. However, the 118 weight class wrestler surged in the last period, earning a fall with 21 seconds left in the match. Exhaustion was evident with how slow she returned to her feet after the pin.
"Coming into this match neither of us were ranked and at the last tournament we were close in placing, so I was looking forward to this match because I knew it was going to be a good one," Erickson said. "This one was one of those matches that you prepare for, but once you are on the mat a lot can go different ways and you got to work with that."
Clancy Meyer, 148, made up more than half of the Midgets total takedowns, defeating Cadence Cook by a 19-15 decision. Cook, who is ranked No. 5 in the state in the 148 weight class, nearly got the best over Meyer in the second period, completing a 3-point near fall, but Meyer stacked up points in the third period, taking Cook to the floor four times. Meyer's win was even more impressive, since she has recently gone up a weight class.
"There were some nerves going up a weight class, but I just decided that if I lose I lose and if I win great. Experience is what matters," said Meyer.
The Midgets continued to strive for greatness over the weekend, first traveling to Minot to compete in a triangular meet against Minot and Turtle Mountain Community High School Belcourt and then participating in the Belle of the Brawl tourney. They defeated Belcourt 44-9, fell to No. 2 ranked Minot 60-9 and took 12th place in the 30 team tournament.
Their desire to compete drives their development and furthers their stamina, prepping for the postseason, which approaches in three weeks time.
"You have to keep going, you can't stop and that is the beauty of wrestling," Breanna Erickson said. "It is so physically demanding, but so rewarding."
