Posted: 2/8/06
Wrestlers down Apple Valley in nail biter
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Joe Drennan
Sports Editor
With three of the top 10 wrestling teams in the Metro wrestling in the Forest Lake High School gym Friday night, it was the place for wrestling fans to be. The sixth ranked Rangers wrestling team hosted number three ranked St. Francis and number four ranked Apple Valley, along with unranked Minneapolis Patrick Henry in a quadrangular.
The Rangers opened up against Apple Valley. Apple Valley jumped out to a commanding lead as they won the first six matches, but Eric Morris turned things around with a 22-9 major decision for the Rangers at 140 lbs. At 145 lbs. Patrick Taylor won a 6-2 decision, followed by Brent Kolbowís 3-0 decision win at 152 lbs.
Jordan Kolbow remained unbeaten this year when he won 7-2 at 160 lbs, but the Rangers tripped up and lost their match at 171 lbs.
With their backs against the mat, Ryan Turry kept the Rangers alive with a 12-10 win at 189 lbs. Trevor Osterbauerís pin 1:37 into his match at 215 lbs. meant all Derek Peterson needed to do for the Rangers to win was pin his opponent.
At the 3:42 mark of his match Peterson pinned his opponent, giving the Rangers an upset 28-27 victory over Apple Valley.
ìWrestling fans got their monies worth,î Rangers head coach Bob Dettmer said. ìThe roof practically came off the gym when we beat the Eagles from Apple Valley.î
After defeating Apple Valley the Rangers went on to easily beat Minneapolis Patrick Henry 75-3.
Jacob Riehle (103 lbs.), Luke Opsahl (112 lbs.), Kevin Determan (119 lbs.), Shawn Saxe (125 lbs.), Matt Joyer (130 lbs.), Eric Morris (140 lbs.), Patrick Taylor (145 lbs.), Brent Kolbow (152 lbs.), Lee Smith (160 lbs.), Lucas Munkelwitz (171 lbs.), Geoffry Cass (189 lbs.) and Collin Peterson (275 lbs.) all won their matches by pin. The other Rangers victory came at 215 lbs. where Dustin Bently won by a 7-5 decision.
The Rangers were looking to win all three of their matches of the night, but St. Francis threw a wrench into things.
After losing the first two matches, Charlie Janssen (119 lbs.), Saxe and Joyer gave the Rangers the lead. Saxeís victory was a major decision, earning bonus points. St. Francis regained the lead with their second major decision of the night at 135 lbs.
Morris won an 8-2 decision to keep things close, then St. Francis won the next two matches, one by a pin. Kolbow won his match with a pin only 58 seconds in. Turry earned the last of the Rangers points with a pin 55 seconds into his match.
St. Francis won the match 33-25.
ìI have a feeling we will get to lock horns with St. Francis and possibly Apple Valley again in the next few weeks,î Dettmer said. ìA few technique adjustments and some fine tuning with conditioning, we will be setting our sights on the Suburban East Conference Championship Tournament, Section 7AAA Tournament and finally the Big Show in St. Paul.î
The Rangers next event is at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Thursday, at Mounds View.
Forest Lake Times
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