Alexandria wrestling: Cardinals split against section foes

• Kriese

Dylan Kriese split his matches during the Alexandria triangular Tuesday, defeating Gregg Ross from Little Falls by a pin, but falling to Brian Mass of Bemidji on a 10-6 decision. The Cardinal wrestlers split their matches against a pair of the top teams in the section. (Lori Mork, Echo Press)

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A pair of section favorites were at the Jefferson High School gymnasium Tuesday night for a wrestling triangular with the Cardinals, who defeated Bemidji, but lost to Little Falls.

“Anyone that wants to see a high school event where the participants pour their heart and soul into the event needs to take in a Cardinal wrestling match,” said head coach Tom Ellison. “This team has a lot of fight in it and they battled in the gym tonight for every point, regardless if it was in our favor or going to the other team.

“Both the Flyers and the Lumberjacks boast solid lineups and our guys stood toe to toe with them and battled. It is fun to be a part of a team that keeps wrestling with an intense attitude, regardless of the score.”

The Cardinal match with Bemidji was close throughout, staying just ahead of the Lumberjacks until the 195 pound match when Bemidji tied the team score at 27.

Dan Oberg and Justin Cumberbatch, wrestling at 220 and 285 pounds, respectively, secured the win with a fall and a decision.

“The Cards used their balanced lineup to get ahead in points during the dual and stay ahead,” said Ellison. “Ben Bogart, Trent Piepenburg, Tristan Johnson, Tony Hubbard, Mike Schluter, Dan Oberg and Justin Cumberbatch picked up wins.”

Little Falls defeated Bemidji 45-21 in the second match of the evening.

Against Little Falls, Alexandria saw an early lead begin to dissipate as the Flyers dominated through the middle weights, and couldn’t quite come away with the victory.

“During the last dual of the night, our team nearly pulled off the upset as Jake Nienaber and Mike Schlueter lost close matches that would have made the difference for the Cards to take down the state-ranked Flyers,” said Ellison. “Ben Bogart, Dylan Kriese, Trent Piepenburg, Dustin Neu, Tony Hubbard and Justin Cumberbatch had wins in the dual.”

The Cardinals will not compete again until February 1, when they host St. Cloud Tech.

ALEXANDRIA 36,

BEMIDJI 27

106 – Ben Bogart, Alex, dec Tyler Obeirne 1-0, 113 – Brian Mass, Bem, dec Dylan Kriese 10-6, 120 – Trent Piepenburg, Alex, pinned Tyler Mass 1:18, 126 – Dylan Sauceda, Bem, maj dec Try Burgau 11-3, 132 – Tristan Johnson, Alex, won by forfeit, 138 – Craig Mass, Bem, maj dec Jacob Schiltgen 13-1, 145 – Robert Truer, Bem, dec Jake Nienaber 4-3, 152 – Tony Hubbard, Alex, pinned Alex O’Neil 0:33, 160 – Gannon Strain, Bem, dec Dustin Neu 9-5, 170 – Mike Schluter, Alex, pinned Josh Dreyer 4:21, 182 – Brody Welander, Bem, pinned Quinton Kluver 3:11, 195 – Kade Johnson, Bem, maj dec Shawn Nelson 16-3, 220 – Dan Oberg, Alex, pinned Wyatt Yoemans 1:50, 285 – Justin Cumberbatch, Alex, dec Alex Johnson 9-3.

LITTLE FALLS 41,

ALEXANDRIA 33

106 – Ben Bogart, Alex, pinned Leo Wilceck 1:28, 113 – Dylan Kriese, Alex, pinned Gregg Ross 2:22, 120 – Trent Piepenburg, Alex, pinned Josh Beack 0:57, 126 – Justin Jenks, LF, maj dec Try Burgau 20-7, 132 – Axel Lange, LF, maj dec Jacob Schiltgen 13-4, 138 – Connor Scherping, LF, pinned Tristan Johnson 1:02, 145 – Derek McMahan, LF, dec Jake Nienaber 14-12, 152 – Dustin New, Alex, pinned Levi Hoffman 3:41, 160 – Tony Hubbard, Alex, dec Jordan Petrone 4-3, 170 – Tyle Gasteckie, LF, pinned Mike Schluter 5:06, 182 – Joe Reis, LF, pinned Quinton Kluver 5:01, 195 – Trysten Ross, LF, pinned Shawn Nelson 3:57, 220 – Justin Cumberbatch, Alex, pinned David Copa 0:42, 285 – Connor Swanson, LF, won by default.

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, cardinals, wrestling