The Minnewaska Area wrestling team split its first two matches of the season, Thursday at West Central Area.  The Lakers were set to host a triangular, Friday, but that competition was canceled due to Trevor Solem’s memorial service.

Instead, the Lakers traveled to WCA to wrestle against Benson and Crosby-Ironton.  Minnewaska fell to the Braves in one match, 40-36, but came back to rout C-I in the other, 69-12.

“The match against Benson was a battle,” coach Chip Rankin said.  “They had seven returning seniors and we bumped everyone up to give us a chance to win.  We were ahead 36-34 going into the heavyweight match and Noah Jensen stepped up, giving up 60 pounds to the Benson wrestler.  Noah earned a great takedown, but eventually got turned by their big guy and we lost 40-36 in a great match.”

The Lakers were set to compete at the Lac qui Parle quadrangular, Tuesday (tomorrow) before competing at the Minneota triangular, Friday.

at WCA triangular

The Lakers wrestled against Benson and Crosby-Ironton, Thursday night at WCA.  During the match against C-I, the Lakers had nine forfeit wins included during the 69-12 victory, along with a decision by Alex Adams at 106 pounds, and pins by Chase Smith at 126 pounds (3:15) and by Mason Schiffler at 145 (1:35).

Against Benson, Miles Wildman had a pin in 28 seconds to open up the match and the Lakers also earned a pin by Chase Smith at 126 (1:20), a pin by Nick Ankeny at 138 pounds (36 seconds) and a forfeit win by Mason Schiffler at 145 to give the Lakers a 24-19 lead after eight matches.

Nathan Dell won by a quick pin in 23 seconds at 160 pounds to up the lead to 30-19, but the Braves earned three-straight wins at 170 through 195 pounds to take a 34-30 lead with two matches left.

Chase Boelke gave Minnewaska its final lead with a pin in 1:11 at 220 pounds, but Benson earned a pin in the final match to pull out the exciting win. 

“We don’t allow kids to cut weight before Christmas so we likely left 15 points out there that we can get toward the end of the season when it really matters,” coach Rankin said.  “We did go 15-4 in JV matches with everyone winning at least one match.

•  The top returning wrestlers for the Lakers are Smith (30-6 last season), Nick Ankeny (30-8), Mason Schiffler (23-14), Miles Wildman (21-10), Chase Boelke (20-11), Jayce Kovarik (13-10), Xander Johnson (12-12) and Nathan Dell (11-13).  Miles Wildman started out the season ranked sixth in the state at 106 pounds, while Chase Smith was ranked third at 120 pounds to open up the season.

at WCA triangular

Benson 40, Minnewaska 36

106:  Miles Wildman, M pin Kob. :28

113:  Olson, Benson forfeit

120:  Ed Wah, Ben forfeit

126:  Chase Smith, M pin unvail 1:20

132:  Hippe, Ben maj Garrett Jungclaus 17-8

138:  Nick Ankeny, M pin John. :36

145:  Mason Schiffler, M win by for

152:  Bolduc, B def Jayce Kovarik 7-2

160:  Nathan Dell, M pin Whitcup :23

170:  McGee, Ben def Myles Reichmann 3-0

182:  AJ Klassen, Ben win by forfeit

195:  Dineen, Ben pin Xander Johnson :31

220:  Chase Boelke, M pin Stor. 1:11

285:  Kob. Ben pin Noah Jensen 1:17

Minnewaska 69, Crosby-Iron 12

106:  Alex Adams, M def Jacobson 7-2

113:  Miles Wildman, M win by forfeit

120:  Fisher, CI win by forfeit

126:  Chase Smith, M pin Ander. 3:15

132:  Garrett Jungclaus, M win by for

138:  Nick Ankeny, M win by forfeit

145:  Mason Schiffler, M pin Paul 1:35

152:  Jayce Kovarik, M win by forfeit

160:  Unavail, CI pin Nathan Dell 1:43

170:  Myles Reichmann, M win by for

182:  Xander Johnson, M win by for

195:  Chase Boelke, M win by forfeit

220:  Noah Jensen, M win by forfeit

285:  Eric Bowen, M win by forfeit

———————————————

Minnewaska wrestling for 2022-23

Weight:  Name Grade W-L

103:  Alex Adams 7 1-0

103:  Miles Wildman 8 5-0

120:  Chase Smith 10 5-1

132:  Garrett Jungclaus 11 1-3

138:  Nick Ankeney 12 5-0

145:  Mason Schiffler 11 2-0

152:  Jayce Kovarik 11 3-4

152:  Braylen Scharmer 9 1-2

160:  Nathan Dell 11 1-1

160:  Myles Reichmann 11 5-2

170:  Xander Johnson 12 3-3

182:  Chase Boelke 12 5-1

220:  Noah Jensen 10 3-3

285:  Eric Bowen 9 1-0