Crimson defeat Andover – Take 3rd at Eastview Tournament

Press Release
25 January 2009

Osseo-Maple Grove Press

NWCT Channel 12

Maple Grove Wrestlers -- Another Successful Week

Crimson defeat Andover – Take 3^rd at Eastview Tournament

When Maple Grove faced talented Elk River in NWSC action last week, the Crimson hoped for a solid performance. But when the Crimson won four of the first six matches, those hopes quickly turned to a possible shocking upset of the heavily-favored Elks, currently ranked 7th in state by The Guillotine.

After dropping the opening match, the Crimson retaliated by winning 4 of the next 5 weight classes with three decisions and a pin by Jonny Dill (125) to extend the Crimson lead to 16-6. The Elks proceeded to win the next 4 matches before Dan Rekuski (171) and Joe Borchardt (215) each earned a decision to close the gap, but the Elks still held the lead 26-21. With 2x state entrant Justin Piche (hwt) out for the season due to a knee injury, and backup heavyweight Chad Thompson also suffering from a shoulder injury, the Crimson had to forfeit the match. Both Piche and Thompson (who win most of their matches by fall earning 6 team points), would have been favored in the match, giving the Crimson a legitimate chance to win the dual. The Elks subsequently forfeited the heavyweight match for a final score of 26-21.

Also that evening the Crimson challenged Andover in a second NWSC dual. With the Crimson winning 9 of the 14 weight classes, and 7 by fall, Maple Grove easily defeated the Huskies 48-18. Ryan O’Kane (119) and Frank Cramer (140) each earned a decision, while Gawboy, Reid Weiland (130), Rekuski, Jacob Otterson (189), Alex Gray (215), and Borchardt all earned pins for Maple Grove. With the win, Crimson’s dual team record moved to 7-6.

On Friday the Crimson traveled to Rockford in which a number of the Crimson JV wrestlers demonstrated their talents in the varsity match. Leading the Crimson to a 54-18 victory were Austin Dean, Jacque Ducharme, Reid Weiland, Zach Quam, Will Anderson, Adam Whirley, John Herbes, Jacob Otterson, Nick Wallen, and Chad Thompson.

Maple Grove completed three straight days of wrestling by competing at the 12-team Eastview Invitational last Saturday, which included such highly-regarded teams as Coon Rapids (#8 in Class AAA), Scott West (#5 Class AA), Rosemount and Eastview (both "Lean and Mean" in AAA). The Crimson greatly improved over last year’s performance by placing 3^rd with four individuals battling their way to the championship finals.

Leading the way were Gawboy, Dill, Rekuski, and Borchardt all making it to the championship finals and placing 2^nd in their respective divisions. Weiland, Quam, and Whirley each finished 3^rd, while Jesse Hawthorn (130), Cramer, and Otterson place 5^th, and Jeremy Borchardt and Alex Gray (189) were 6^th.

In upcoming action, the Crimson host Irondale on Thursday. JV matches are scheduled for 6 pm, and varsity will wrestle at 7 pm.

Submitted by:

Mike Dill

612-661-8126 W

612-269-0996 C

mikeandshellydill@comcast.net

Brad Gawboy

763-420-9747 W

952-240-1813 C

bgawboy@loyaltongroup.com

Click Here to return to Home Page.

This Website is a product of Mystify Your Web, Inc.