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Wrestlers find more ‘energy’ |
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Wednesday, 27 February 2008 |
Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor
Providing a prime example of what’s to come next winter, the Forest Lake wrestling team is sending five of its members to this week’s state tournament, and all but senior Brent Kolbow will be returning in 2008-09.
Before the focus shifts to a new season, however, there is still plenty of good news to cover regarding this year’s Rangers — Ben Morgan (112 lbs.), Kevin Nelson (125 lbs.), Andy Kolbow (135 lbs.), Charlie Janssen (140 lbs.) and Brent Kolbow (171 lbs.) still have an appointment to keep at the Xcel Energy Center, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 8 p.m.
“It was awesome. I was extremely pleased with our results,” head coach Billy Pierce said.
“The five guys going, I’m very happy for them. They’ve worked a lot and endured a long, demanding season, but their effort paid off and now we’re at the last step.”
Going into the sections individual tournament on Feb. 23, Pierce felt like he had seven or eight wrestlers who had a realistic shot at moving on to state. Now that they’re competing on Minnesota’s biggest stage, Pierce says everyone in this group should be in line to place, and not just have a “one and done” experience.
In the 112 pound classification, Morgan (36-3) enters as the champion of Section 7AAA, after a 7-0 decision over Brent Molitor from St. Francis.
Pierce likes how Morgan’s bracket is aligned, as the one and three seeds will have to face each other before reaching the finals.
Coming off a decision over Mike Murphy of Coon Rapids at 125 pounds, Nelson (18-9) heads to St. Paul as the sections second-place finisher, and opens against Bloomington’s Robby Fisher (33-5).
Like Nelson, Andy Kolbow (23-14) was a No. 3 seed in 7AAA, but Kolbow will take on Trey Bertram (36-6) as the section champion at 145 pounds.
“I’m very, very happy for both Andy and Kevin,” Pierce said. “I’m very proud of these guys for pulling together. There’s not much luck involved at this point — it’s a lot of grit.”
Making a return appearance to state is Janssen (31-8), who competed there as an 8th grader, but couldn’t make it back last season.
On Saturday, Janssen lost to Mike Cullen of Coon Rapids in overtime of the championship match, but picked up the section’s second spot with an 8-6 decision over Anoka’s Corey Smeby; somebody he had already defeated earlier in the tourney.
The sophomore is ready for this weekend and likes what he sees.
“It feels really good; I’m kind of excited,” he said. “Looking at my bracket, I have a good chance.”
The final Ranger to qualify is Brent Kolbow (32-8), the five-packs only senior.
A year ago, Kolbow lost in the opening round at 160 pounds. This week he’s back, but competing at 171 pounds, where he won sections with a 5-2 decision over Elk River’s Mitch Hauge
“I thought I got put in a pretty good place in the bracket, and it went exactly how I wanted it to go,” he said. “It was tough, but it went as easy as it could have gone.”
Class AAA individual preliminaries begin Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center.
On Thursday, the action for 3A starts at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Section 7AAA
103 Tony Chamberlin 6th
112 Ben Morgan Champ
119 Tony Smith lost by fall
125 Kevin Nelson 2nd
130 Marshall Wedger 8-9 Dec
135 Andy Kolbow Champ
140 Charlie Janssen 2nd
145 Mitch Koenig 6th
152 Ben Ulrich lost by fall
160 Caleb Corrow 4th
171 Brent Kolbow Champ
189 NA
215 Josh Mabry 3rd
285 Jon Heim lost by fall
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