Wrestling roundup: Willmar Cardinals nab 2 CLC wins, brace for Bemidji

Jan. 25—SAUK RAPIDS — The Willmar wrestling team improved to 5-1 in the Central Lakes Conference after a pair of wins at the Sauk Rapids triangular Thursday.

Willmar beat Alexandria 47-27 and the host Storm 63-12.

Willmar is now 9-7 in dual meets this season and is heading to a big triangular at 5 p.m. Friday at the Big Red Gym. Top Section 8AAA contender Bemidji wrestles the Cardinals at 5 p.m., then the Lumberjacks wrestle the St. Cloud Crush before Willmar takes on St. Cloud

It's a Take Down Cancer Night for Willmar, which will be honoring and raising funds for middle school coach Mark Neu, whose wife Brenda Neu died from cancer on New Year's Eve. It's also Willmar Youth Wrestling Night and Senior Parents Night.

The Bemidji/Willmar match is likely going to determine the top seed in 8AAA.

"I think it's going to be a tight match like it always is," Willmar head coach Ed Oehlers said. "It depends on how the lineups go up. We're both trying to get six or seven of the matches. It'll come down to the bonus points. I'm hoping to get that gym packed."

Against Alexandria, six Willmar wrestlers — Logan Fagerlie (114 pounds), Cavin Carlson (133), Sully Anez (145), Isaac Zelaya-Velasquez (152), Cameren Champagne (160) and James Dickman (215) — won by fall. Conlan Carlson added a tech fall at 139.

Against Sauk Rapids, Willmar secured bonus points in all 11 of its wins. Fagerlie (114), Wyatt Cruze (121), Steve Cruze (172) and Dickman (215) all had falls. Ivan Mares (127) had a tech fall. Cavin Carlson (133) added a major decision. Conlan Carlson beat Vance Barz by major decision, 11-1. Barz was ranked second in the state in Class AAA.

"Honestly, it was good for us to get up there and get some victories," Oehlers said. "There were a few matches where we wanted to compete. We didn't win them all. But we had some real good matches."

Paynesville won the first four matches and built a 21-0 lead on the way to beating Eden Valley-Watkins at Eden Valley.

The Bulldogs are ranked 11th in Class A in this week's state poll by The Guillotine.

Mason McNab won by tech fall for the Bulldogs at 127 pounds. Jamison Meagher added a major decision at 107.

Paynesville is host to a triangular at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2. Dassel-Cokato/Litchfield and Hutchinson compete.

Paynesville had four wins by fall in a dual victory over Albany at Eden Valley.

Earning the pins for the Bulldogs were Jamison Meagher (107 pounds), Mason McNab (127), Braydon Kierstead-Hahn (133) and Peyton Hemmesch (189).

Paynesville opened the Eden Valley-Watkins triangular with a win against Pierz at Eden Valley.

Four straight wins from 160 to 215 pounds helped swing the match in the Bulldogs' favor. Daniel Flint began the run with a decision at 160 pounds. Grant Wendlandt added a major decision at 172, followed by a fall from Seth Vearrier at 189. Peyton Hemmesch won by forfeit at 215.

With three straight falls at 145, 152 and 160 pounds, the Wabasso Rabbits came away with a win over host Benson.

The Braves' Ed Wah (107), Gavin Olson (114) and Johnny Kobbermann (285) each won by fall. Adrian Young (172) added bonus points with a major decision.

The Wabasso Rabbits went on a 27-point run from 114 to 133 pounds en route to getting a win over BOLD at Benson.

Edgar Kopel got the Warriors six points with a fall at 107 pounds. Brady Kiecker added a fall at 145, and Austin Kiecker came through with a tech fall at 152.

A fall at 285 pounds by Mound-Westonka's John Seemann secured a win for the White Hawks over Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City at the Iron Rumble at Irondale High School in New Brighton.

Down 21-0 after four matches, the Falcons climbed back thanks to falls from Edwyn Gonzalez (133 pounds), Joseph Sherwood (139), Jevon Williams (160), Ethan Whitcomb (172), Wyatt Garvick (189) and Isaiah Renne (215).

ACGC has another meet at 5 p.m. Friday in Osakis. It's a triangular with the host school and Pelican Rapids.