Posted: 3/9/05
State tournament provides motivation
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Joe Drennan
Sports Editor
Jordan Kolbow, a junior wrestler on the Forest Lake High School wrestling team was undefeated until defending 145 lbs. state champion Mitch Millner of Simley defeated him with a 9-6 decision in the championship match. While many wrestlers would consider that a successful season, Kolbow isnít happy with how things ended.
ìI am still angry about losing,î Kolbow said, ìbut it (wrestling at the state tournament) is an accomplishment that I have been wanting to do ever since I was little. I knew that I could do it. Next year I want to go farther.î
Kolbow wasnít the only Rangers wrestler at the state tournament, teammate Patrick Taylor wrestled at 140 lbs. Taylor won his first match, but lost his second, putting him into the wrestle back round.
ìThere was a lot of tension in the wrestle backs because if you lose that next match you know youíre done,î Taylor said. ìThe tension probably helped me because it made me concentrate on the match, knowing that I couldnít mess up.î
Taylor won his first wrestle back match with a 6-1 win over Chris Rother of Irondale, but lost his next match to Greg Skerik of Bemidji, ending his season with a 34-3 record.
While both wrestlers are happy they competed in the state tournament, they both hope to come back and do better next year, but with more teammates by their sides.
ìA handful of kids missed going to state by a few seconds or points and I think they were pretty down about it, but when they came and watched us at state it brought them up and makes them want to work harder next year,î Taylor said.
Knowing they were so close to a state tournament appearance, Taylor and Kolbow know their teammates will push themselves over the summer and during the season to join them at next yearís state tournament.
ìThey want to be with us so it motivates them to work hard,î Kolbow said.
Kolbow and Taylor want their teammates with them so that they can experience the thrill of the state tournament.
ìItís really exciting once you get in there and look around and see the crowd,î Kolbow said.
Stepping into a crowded Xcel Energy Center is enough to make most athletes nervous, but not Taylor.
ìWhen youíre warming up youíre away from everything and itís normal, but when you get called to staging and you walk through that tunnel it hit me like a ton of bricks,î Taylor said. ìWhen you hit the mat it all went away.î
Kolbow and Taylor are both juniors so they will be back next year, leading the Rangers. To prepare for their senior season, the two say they are going to lift weights and wrestle in a summer freestyle program to stay in top shape and hone their skills in an attempt to rise to the top and win a state title.
Forest Lake Times
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