Minneota solid in two home wins
In what head coach Matt Myrvik called "our best outing of the year", Minneota thumped United (Dawson-Boyd/Lac qui Parle Valley/Montevideo) 54-18 and then upset Class AA No. 5-rated Hutchinson 42-34 in triangular Saturday in Minneota.
"The team brought a great energy to both duals and really stepped up against two quality programs in United and Hutchinson," Myrvik said.
Against a solid Hutchinson team, Minneota managed to record seven falls and jumped out to a 36-16 lead they would not relinquish despite Hutchinson winning four straight matches to cut into the Vikings' lead at 36-34.
Minneota heavyweight Jayden Gamrak's pin clinched the match.
"Hutchinson is really strong in the upper weights, and has been for a long time," Myrvik noted.
Destin Fier registered a 28-second fall at 113 pounds to tie the match 6-6. Peyton Gillund at 120 and Eric Carrasco at 126 also got pins for an 18-6 advantage.
Hutchinson won the next two matches by fall and major decision, respectively, to make it 18-16. The Vikings then got consecutive pins from Kade Lozinski at 145, Zack Fier at 152, and Jonah Gruenes at 160 to put the hosts in the 36-16 lead.
Against United, the Vikings earned nine falls.
"I really liked what we did today," said Myrvik. "We still have a long way to go, but the guys went out and battled and it was fun to see."
Getting pins for Minneota was Peyton Gillund at 120 pounds, VanKeulen at 126, Eli Gruenes at 138, Lozinski at 145, Zack Fier at 152, Branden Johnson at 182, Hudson Scholten at 185, and Jackson Esping at 220. Jonah Gruenes at 160 and Gamrak at heavyweight each won by a decision.
Mryvik was generally pleased with the way one of his up and coming wrestlers performed despite a loss.
"Destin Fier had an outstanding match vs. No, 9-ranked Daniel Gunlogson," said Myrvik. "I really felt he outwrestled Gunlogson and gave himself a chance to win; a match like that could really help Destin as the season goes on. Destin has really turned the corner in his first season on varsity, and we look to build off of what he has done so far this season."
Minneota 42, Hutchinson 34
106 - Max Martin, Hut, pin Adam DeVlaeminck 2:43
113 - Destin Fier, Min, pin Raydon Bipes :28
120 - Peyton Gillund, Min, pin Simon Schmitz 2:30
126 - Eric Carrasco, Min, pin Nolan McGraw 1:10
132 - Treyton Card, Hut, pin Browdy Lozinski :20
138 - Parker Peterson, Hut, majdec Eli Gruenes 15-2
145 - Kade Lozinski, Min, pin Jay Rickertsen 3:01
152 - Zack Fier, Min, pin Micheal Hahn 1:21
160 - Jonah Gruenes, Min, pin Eddie Tristan 4:57
170 - Cale Luthens, Hut, pin Alex DePestel :11
182 - Brady Andersen, Hut, pin Branden Johnson :32
195 - Riley Gill, Hut, dec Hudson Scholten 7-3
220 - Hayden VanderVoort, Hut, dec Jackson Esping 8-1
285 - Jayden Gamrak, Min, pin Riley Carrigan 1:43
Minneota 54, United 18
106 - Kameron Sather, U, pin Adam DeVlaeminck 2:33
113 - Daniel Gunlogson, U, dec Destin Fier 3-1
120 - Peyton Gillund, Min, pin Ethan Moravetz :58
126 - Troy Van Keulen, Min, pin Tyler Schickedanz 1:01
132 - Zander Clausen, U, pin Eric Carrasco 2:59
138 - Eli Gruenes, Min, pin Isaac Moravetz 3:48
145 - Kade Lozinski, Min, pin Kadin Huntley 5:46
152 - Zack Fier, Min, pin Mason McDougal 1:00
160 - Jonah Gruenes, Min, dec Dain Mortenson 8-4
170 - Avery Wittnebel, U, dec Alex DePestel 10-9
182 - Branden Johnson, Min, pin Eli Lowry 2:22
195 - Hudson Scholten, Min, pin Parker Bothun 1:10
220 - Jackson Esping, Min, pin Landon Olson 1:25
285 - Jayden Gamrak, Min, dec Trey Teichert 3-1