Crimson Wrestlers Crush Irondale in Dual, Take 2nd in Totino Grace Invitational

The Crimson wrestlers displayed their strength as they overpowered Irondale 55-6 in section 5AAA action last Thursday.  With only 3 weeks left in the regular season, Maple Grove continues to improve as they head toward section tournaments.

Without the strength of three starting varsity wrestlers who took the night off due to match count issues (Jonny Dill, Dan Rekuski, Joe Borchardt – each with 20+ wins on the season so far), the Crimson showed no mercy from start to finish.

After losing a very close, hard fought opening match 2-1, the Crimson went on an absolute terror winning 12 of the remaining 13 matches.  Zack Gawboy (112) and Ryan O’kane (119) each won by decision putting Maple Grove’s lead to 7-3 over the Knights.

Jacque Ducharme (125) continued the winning streak with a fall in 20 seconds.  This was the first of six pins on the evening for the Crimson.  Reid Weiland (130) extended the lead to 17-3 with a major decision, while Zach Quam (135) and Adam Whirley (145) each earned a win by fall.  Frank Cramer (140), Jeremy Borchardt (152), and John Herbes all won by decision to help build an insurmountable lead of 40-3. 

The Crimson continued their dominance by defeating the last three weight classes with two pins and a decision (Jacob Otterson #189 pin 1:40, Alex Gray #215 10-4 dec., and Chad Thompson #hwt pin 2:23) for a final score of 55-6.

On Saturday, the Crimson traveled to the Totino Grace Invitational tournament for another successful day of wrestling.  Maple Grove sent six wrestlers into the finals and many others to the medal round as they went on to take 2^nd place.

Earning top honors with a first place finish was Jacob Halvorson (103) in his first varsity tournament win, Quam (135), Whirley (145), and Borchardt (215).  Two others battled their way to second place finishes—Weiland (130) and Rekuski (171). 

Maple Grove’s other place winners were Gawboy (3^rd at 112), Andy Quam (3^rd at 125), Cramer (3^rd at 140), Sharif Usenov (3^rd at hwt), Austin Dean (4^th at 119) and Jeremy Borchardt (4^th at 152).

"I am very excited to see both the varsity and the JV continue to mature and improve each and every week.  The boys are working very hard at practice and it’s paying off.  Since the holiday break, we’ve beaten many talented individuals and teams, and placed high in extremely competitive tournaments," explained MG head coach Troy Seubert.  "Our team is starting to peak just at the right time."

In upcoming action this week, the Crimson travel to the Armstrong Team Dual Tournament on Saturday.  Wrestling begins at 9 am.

Photo:  Maple Grove’s Adam Whirley on his way to a 3:08 fall over Irondale.  Also takes 1^st place at the Totino Grace Invitational.

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