Wrestling team falls one dual short, misses out on bid to state team tournament

Northfield lost 49-7 in their section semifinals matchup to Albert Lea; missing out on the state team tournament.
Northfield lost 49-7 in their section semifinals matchup to Albert Lea; missing out on the state team tournament.

By Keith Harner and Colin Staab

The Raiders took a trip to one of the most electric environments in Minnesota high school wrestling on Saturday at the Rochester Mayo Civic Center. All three classes wrestled their finals matches at 2 p.m… Northfield took on Albert Lea in the class AAA finals match. The winner would punch their ticket to the Xcel Energy Center. Northfield dueled the Tigers January 25 where they lost 33-24.

Caley Graber gets her hand raised after her win over Devon Groess.

Northfield started off the dual just like almost every other one. Caley Graber picked up the win with a 6-3 decision over Devon Groess. That was about the only positive thing for the remainder of the matchup. Drew Pribyl lost to eighth ranked Dylan Groess 20-6 at 114 pounds. At 121 pounds, Caden Staab lost 7-3 to Ryan Collins. Charlie Johnson fell to third ranked Logan Davis by fall in the first period at 121 pounds, but that was just the start of Albert Lea’s ranked wrestlers. Second ranked Michael Olson scored a 22-7 technical fall as time expired against Keith Harner at 133 pounds. At 139 pounds Brody Ignaszewski, who was formerly ranked tenth, majored Zane Engels 12-4. Second ranked, Nick Korman pinned Austin Benjamin in 35 seconds. Albert Lea had a commanding 28-3 lead.

Drew Pribyl holds on to not give up the technical fall and save the team points.

Sam Harner took on Mason Attig at 152 pounds where he suffered a 3-0 loss. Colin Staab lost a close match 8-7 against Brecken Wacholz. At 172 pounds, Iah Schwiech got pinned in 41 seconds by Triton Cox. Braxton Wood lost a close match to Teaghen Tolbers at 189 pounds, 4-2. 

Finally at 215 pounds, Ryan Kuyper picked up a victory with his 15-5 major decision over Evan Schroeder. Noah Ackerman lost his match at heavyweight by fall to William Velazquez to round out the dual, and the season for Northfield. The final score read 49-7 in favor of Albert Lea.

Ryan Kuyper holds Even Schroeder to try and get the fall.

While the season for Northfield’s team is done, they will compete in the individual tournament next Saturday for a chance at state as an Individual. That tournament will also take place in the Rochester Mayo Civic Center.

WeightNorthfieldAlbert LeaResultTeam Score
107Caley GraberDevon GroessN 6-33-0
114Drew PribylDylan GroessA 20-63-4
121Caden StaabRyan CollinsA 7-33-7
127Charlie JohnsonLogan DavisA Fall :413-13
133Keith HarnerMike OlsonA 22-73-18
139Zane EngelsBrody IgnaszewskiA 12-43-22
145Austin BenjaminNick KormanA fall :353-28
152Sam HarnerMason AttigA 3-03-31
160Colin StaabBrecken WachlozA 8-73-34
172Iah SchwiechTriton CoxA fall :413-40
189Braxton WoodTeaghen TolbersA 4-23-43
215Ryan KuyperEvan SchroederN 15-57-43
285Noah AckermanWilliam ValazquezA fall 2:327-49