The Minnewaska Area wrestling team earned a 51-22 conference win over Benson, Thursday night at home.  The match was scheduled at 2 p.m., giving the student body a chance to watch the wrestling action before the Christmas break.

The Lakers didn’t disappoint as Minnewaska Area won nine of the 13 matches, including six by pins.

Minnewaska Area improved to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the WCC heading into the holiday break.  The Lakers won’t be back in action until Friday, Jan. 12 when they are set to host the Minnewaska Area Invitational.

The pace of the schedule picks up bigtime in 2024 as the Lakers have 10 scheduled competitions over a 28-day span beginning Jan. 12.

Miles Wildman, who is 10-1 so far this season, is ranked third at 121 pounds in the state Class AA rankings, while Chase Smith, who is 7-5, is ranked sixth at 127 pounds.

Waska 51, Benson 22

The Lakers routed the Braves in a conference matchup, Thursday at home.  Minnewaska Area was never threatened in the match and got the clinching points with a pin by Myles Reichmann at 172 pounds.

Landon Schiffler got the Lakers going with a pin in 1:00 at 107 pounds.  After a loss at 114, Miles Wildman put the Lakers up for good with a pin in 1:47 at 121 pounds, followed by a forfeit win by Chase Smith at 127.

The Braves earned the second of four wins at 133 pounds, but Isaiah Rosario earned a pin in 4:41 at 139 pounds during one of the best matches of the contest to put the Lakers up 24-10.

Sawyer Erickson came through with an 8-4 decision at 145 pounds and Braylen Scharmer won by a pin in 3:42 at 152 pounds to increase the Laker lead to 33-10.  The Braves earned another win at 160 pounds, but Reichmann clinched the Minnewaska Area victory with a pin in 1:16 at 172 pounds.

For an added holiday bonus, Cole Kittelson won by a pin at 189 pounds in 5:37 and Riley Dell earned a forfeit victory at 220 pounds before the match ended unceremoniously with a forfeit win by the Braves.

Other wrestling notes

•  This year’s Laker wrestling roster includes seniors Bode DeZelar, Cole Kittelson, Garrett Jungclaus, Jayce Kovarik, Mason Schiffler, Myles Reichmann and Nathan Dell; juniors Noah Jensen, Levi Koppen-Just, Jacob Koppen-Just, Evan Friese and Chase Smith; sophomores Tate Anderson, Riley Dell, Kolton Rogers, Eric Bowen, Colten Legare and Braylen Scharmer; ninth-graders Tyler Kohn, Riley Spindler, Miles Wildman, Landon Schiffler, Jack Payne and Austyn Schuler; eighth-graders Zayden Johnson, Soren Jergenson, Sawyer Taufen, Sawyer  Erickson, Jude Bailey, Isaiah Rosario, Grady Braaten, Caleb Ashler and Alex Adams; and seventh-graders Rowan Wilson, Karsen Fenger, Jaxson Vig, Jaden Vig, Charlie Taintor and Blair Kindel.

•  Two big changes for wrestling this year are the change from 14 weights to 13 and the switch from Section 5A to Section 8AA.

at Waska 51, Benson 22

107:  Landon Schiffler, Min pin Svin. 1:00

114:  Olson, B pin Austin Schuler 1:13

121:  Miles Wildman, Min pin Kob. 1:47

127:  Chase Smith, Min win by forfeit

133:  Nygaard, B maj Jude Bailey 17-3

139:  Isaiah Rosario, M pin Tah Wah 4:41

145:  Sawyer Erickson, M def Whitcup 8-4

152:  Braylen Scharmer, Min pin Johnson 3:42

160:  Nick Bol., B pin Jayce Kovarik 3:16

172:  Myles Reichmann, Min pin Wieme 1:16

189:  Cole Kittelson, Min pin Young 5:37

220:  Riley Dell, Min win by forfeit

285:  Kobbermann, B win by forfeit

Check out more photos in our photo gallery!