Alexandria wrestling: Warriors pin Cardinals

• Cumberbatch

Justin Cumberbatch, left, tried to find a way to toss Brainerd’s Casey Bievers to the ground during the 220-pound match during the Cardinals’ dual meet Thursday night. Cumberbatch was able to break a deadlocked match and pin his opponent, but the Cardinals couldn’t overcome the upper weight strength of the Warriors, falling 45-30. (Lori Mork, Echo Press)

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Alexandria’s fast start to its dual meet against Brainerd was stymied in the upper weights as the Warriors used five pins to rally for a 45-30 Central Lakes Conference win Thursday night.

“The Warriors have a senior dominated team, using seven seniors in a lineup that proved to be too much for the Cards,” said Alexandria head coach Tom Ellison. “Brainerd used the strength of its upper weights to pull away after the Cardinals held the lead until the final four matches of the night.”

Cardinal 8th grader Ben Bogart got the match started on a high note as he battled senior Bryton Mutz into the third period before picking up a pin.

Then, after a close match at 113 pounds that went to the Warriors by a 9-6 win over Dylan Kriese, Alexandria rolled up three straight wins to take a 21-3 lead.

“Trent Piepenburg and Blake Olhausen brought the crowd to its feet by racking up two pins for the home team,” said Ellison. “Jacob Schiltgen continued the winning way by controlling his opponent for a 5-1 win.”

Brainerd cut the Cardinals’ lead with a pair of wins behind state-ranked Dan Babineau’s pin over Tristan Johnson at 138 pounds and Tommy Schlosser’s pin of Jake Nienabler at 145 pounds.

Then it was Tony Hubbard’s turn, and the Cardinal senior had his hands full at 152 pounds.

“Tony had a hard fought battle with Luke Boran and won in overtime,” said Ellison. “Boran is a leader on the Warriors’ squad and has qualified for the state tournament in seasons past.”

From there, the match began to tilt in Brainerd’s favor as the Warriors earned a forfeit win, then picked up pins over Mike Schluter at 170, Andrew Moske at 182 and Shawn Nelson at 195 to take a 39-24 lead.

Sophomore Justin Cumberbatch also had a battle on his hands as he battled Casey Bievers at 220 pounds as neither wrestler could find an edge through the first two periods.

Just 32 seconds into the third period, Cumberbatch found his opening, quickly flipping his opponent to the mat for a win.

Alexandria then had to forfeit at 285 pounds, giving Brainerd the 15-point victory.

“We wrestled well during the dual,” said the Card coach. “Bogart’s pin certainly energized the squad.

“Brainerd is a section and conference favorite, and they certainly showed why.

“Our team is young and they will work hard to improve,” he added. “I have been very pleased with the way this squad comes in every day and works. They know that hard work will pay off as the season progresses.”

Alexandria will be at the Redwood Valley Invitational this weekend.

BRAINERD 45,

ALEXANDRIA 30

106 – Ben Bogart, Alex, pinned Bryton Mutz 5:34, 113 – Andy Schlossser, Brd, dec. Dylan Kriese 9-6, 120 – Trent Piepenburg, Alex, pinned Drew Bruen 3:08, 126 – Blake Olhausen, Alex, pinned David Larson 0:46, 132 – Jacob Schiltgen, Alex, dec. Jake Zelinski 5-1, 138 – Dan Babineau, Brd, pinned Tristan Johnson 1:17, 145 – Tommy Schlosser, Brd, pinned Jake Nienaber 1:22, 152 – Tony Hubbard, Alex, dec. Luke Boran 4-2 OT, 160 – Dillon Solid, Brd, won by forfeit, 170 – Jeff Flickinger, Brd, pinned Mike Schlueter 4:14, 182 – Jace Engleman, Brd, pinned Andrew Moske 1:07, 195 – Levi Rubin, Brd, pinned Shawn Nelson 1:44, 220 – Justin Cumberbatch, Alex, pinned Casey Biever 4:32, 285 – Sam Adams, Brd, won by forfeit.

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, cardinals, wrestling