Packer wrestlers fall to Tigers
Published 8:43 pm Friday, December 22, 2017
- Austin’s Eli Marks takes down Christian Garcia in the first period Friday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Austin wrestling team went up against the No. 3 ranked team in Minnesota Class AAA and it had a little trouble staying off the mat in Ove Berven Gym Friday.
The Tigers (11-0 overall, 4-0 Big Nine) racked up seven pins and three forfeits to beat Austin 65-18.
Austin’s Tae Weber tries to escape from the grasp of Albert Lea’s Cameron Davis at 113 pounds Friday night at Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“That’s what a state ranked team looks like,” Austin head coach Jed Osgood said. “They came out aggressive and they dictated the match. We’ve just got to pick up our intensity in the wrestling room to be able to compete better with high caliber teams.”
The Packers picked up three wins in the dual as Josh Belden and Eli Marks picked up first period pins and Phillip Zynda won by forfeit at 195.
Austin’s Josh Belden works his way to a pin of Albert Lea’s Griffin Studier at 152 pounds Friday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Belden was able to use some quick thinking to get his get pin on Griffin Studier at 152 pounds. He was able to put Studier in a headlock and finish the match in just 44 seconds.
“I don’t really scout wrestlers, but I react based on what they show me,” Belden said. “When I use a headlock, it’s usually when I can’t stop their shot. I stop their head and they look up right away, then I can throw it and there’s no way they’re getting out of it. It felt good to get that pin and bring energy back to the team.”
Austin’s Kaden Igou squared off against Albert Lea’s Brody Nielsen at 170 pounds Friday night at Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Marks also came up with a quick takedown in his match as he pinned Christian Garcia in just 59 seconds.
“Tonight was a great way for me to see where I am as a heavyweight wrestler and to see how far I can go,” Marks said. “My focus was being ready. You always have to have a sweat going to mat or you’re not going to be ready and you’re going to get stuck right away.”
The Packers (4-4 overall, 1-2 Big Nine) were hoping to avoid getting pinned so they could extend some of the matches against the Tigers and that’s something they’ll focus on in the future against tough teams.
“We focused on team points and fighting off our backs this week,” Belden said. “We didn’t really execute it that well and we gave up a lot of points. We’ve just got to move forward.”
Austin’s Aiden Wilson escapes the grasp of Albert Lea’s Gavin Ignaszewski at 145 pounds Friday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
RESULTS
106: Joey Flores (AL) pinned Jacob Tapp (A) (3:29)
113: Cameron Davis (AL) pinned Tae Weber (A) (2:38)
120: Nick Cantu (AL) pinned Zach Smith (A)
126: Caleb Talamantes (AL) won by forfeit
132: Josiah Hedentsen (AL) won by forfeit
138: Jake Johnsrud (AL) won by forfeit
145: Gavin Ignaszewski (AL) 17-2 tech. fall over Aiden Wilson (A)
152: Josh Belden (A) pinned Griffin Studier (AL) (:44)
160: Levi Kermes (AL) pinned Cole Carter (A) (1:59)
170: Brody Nielsen (AL) pinned Kaden Igou (A) (:47)
182: Spencer Israel (AL) pinned Chance Brady (A) (2:22)
195: Phillip Zynda (A) won by forfeit
215: Brady Nielsen (AL) pinned Sam Johnson (A) (1:16)
285: Eli Marks (A) pinned Christian Garcia (AL) (:59)