A local cast of Southeastern Minnesota high school senior wrestlers made names for themselves and their state with a trip south to the First Annual Iowa?Minnesota "Border Battle" All-Star Wrestling meet on March 28 in Cresco, Iowa.

Saturday, March 30, 2002

A local cast of Southeastern Minnesota high school senior wrestlers made names for themselves and their state with a trip south to the First Annual Iowa­Minnesota "Border Battle" All-Star Wrestling meet on March 28 in Cresco, Iowa.

The event, sponsored by the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, was a dual meet featuring top seniors from Southeast Minnesota and Northeast Iowa high schools. Crestwood High School in Cresco hosted the meet, and is also the site of the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Local preps Spencer Wolner of Austin, Mike Miles and Mitch Bunne of Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Kingsland, Ryan Klemmensen of Blooming Prairie, and Tom Hamilton of Southland, scored points for their side in leading the underdog team from the north to a 37-31 dual win.

The squad of Minnesota seniors was undermanned, matching nine wrestlers to Iowa’s 17. This required most Minnesotan matmen to wrestle twice.

Wolner, who completed his high school career with a 28-7 overall record and a trip to the Class AAA State Meet, defeated Chad Bakkum of Waukon, Iowa, 6-3. Bakkum’s list of accolades includes two appearances at the Iowa State Wrestling Tournament, a sixth-place finish as a sophomore, the Arlo Flege Northeast Iowa Oustanding Wrestler Award, and a 122-27 career record.

Wolner next faced Alan Fadness of Decorah, who finished fifth at 119 pounds in Iowa’s Class 3A. Again, Wolner turned the tables for a 2-1 decision.

"This meet was a great way for Spencer to finish his high school wrestling career after receiving a very tough draw and being eliminated early in this year’s state wrestling tournament," said Austin High head wrestling coach Bill Kinney.

Klemmensen of Blooming Prairie, who finished his senior season 32-6, finished his day 1-0 by knocking off Bob Kuennan of Turkey Valley at 125 pounds.

Hamilton, who took sixth for Southland at 145 pounds, won his first match against Jake Heimer of Nora Springs-Rock Falls. Heimer placed fifth in Class 1A with a 39-4 overall record.

GMLOK’s Mitch Bunne, a 37-7 senior who finished fifth at 140 pounds in Class AA, won his match over Osage’s Joe Uker. Uker finished 41-4 for the Green Devils, placing second in Iowa’s 2A 145-pound finals.

Miles, a 33-8 senior from GMLOK, netted another win for Minnesota against Nick Boyle from Riceville. Boyle went 2-2 at state and finished 30-6 overall.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at sports@austindailyherald.com.