TROJAN WRESTLING: Trojans win two duals at home

WORTHINGTON — With the Class 2A Section 3 Tournament looming, Worthington earned a big boost of confidence during its final home triangular Friday on Parents Night.

The Trojans (6-10 overall) won a pair of duals from section foes Fairmont/Martin County West (39-29) and Fulda/Murray County Central (46-30).

Those victories improved Worthington’s section record to 5-3 and helped increase the chances that WHS will gain a favorable seed in the postseason.

“This was a nice way to end our home season,” Trojans head coach Mark Prunty said. “Since (these duals) were against two teams in the south-half of the section, they were must-wins for us.”

Adrian (18-2 overall) leads the Class 2A Section 3 South standings with a 4-0 mark. Luverne (10-4 overall) follows with a 4-1 record, while Quad County (9-6 overall) stands at 4-2 in section duals. Fairmont/Martin County West (5-7 overall) is 1-1 against section opponents, while Fulda/Murray County Central (2-16 overall) is 1-8.

“This was a confidence-booster for us because we had a complete team effort,” Prunty said. “We won the matches that we needed to win and kept others close, especially against Fairmont.”

The Trojans came away with eight bout victories against the Red Bulls.

Worthington built a 22-9 lead over Fairmont/Martin County West behind victories from Hser Eh Pwae (10-1 major decision at 106), Hser Moo Pwae (a 2-minute, 47-second pin at 120), Anthony Luft (a forfeit win at 126) and Vince Riley, an eighth-grader who pinned junior Harley Luhmann in 2:47 at 138.

The Red Bulls’ Trevor Schultz, the No. 1-ranked wrestler at 106 in Class 2A, moved up to 113 to receive a forfeit win. Elijah Gronewold, who led the Trojans’ Cody Michelson 5-2 after one period and 11-6 after two periods, had to fend off the Worthington wrestler to preserve a 15-11 decision at 132.

Fairmont/Martin County West krept closer following wins at 145 and 152, but WHS still led 22-17.

The Red Bulls’ Tanner Lange (145) and Joe Weber (152) managed to post only major decisions against Zach Bruns (9-1) and Joey Mills (18-7).

Lange, a sophomore, had a year’s experience on Bruns, a freshman. Weber, who is ranked No. 10 at 152 in Class 2A, scored five third-period takedowns against Mills, but could not pin him.

The Trojans captured the next four weight classes to take a 39-17 lead.

Zach Kempema posted an 18-5 major decision against Brock Burmeister at 160. Virgil Cerda scored the final eight points during a 14-3 major decision against Phillip Bowie at 170. Blake Schroeder used second-period reversal to edge Nathan Gillis 2-1 at 182. Carson Hagen needed 3:24 to pin Luis Figueroa at 195.

The Red Bulls claimed the final two bouts as Kory Brown pinned Peter Abraham in 3:33 at 220 and Colton Hines received a forfeit win at 285.

Against Fulda/Murray County Central, only 10 matches were actually contested. Worthington received forfeits to Anthony Luft (120), King Saenz (152) and Hagen (195). Brian Behrends (220) picked up a forfeit win for the Warriors.

Fulda/Murray County Central led 6-4 after two weight classes as Clayton Hartle pinned Hser Moo Pwae in 3:24 at 113. Hser Eh Pwae handed Worthington a 4-0 lead by recording a 14-2 major decision against Jon Gehl at 106.

The Trojans, who grabbed a 10-6 lead on the forfeit to Luft, trailed the Warriors 12-10 after Ben Blanchette pinned Jeffrey Camacho in 2:32 at 126.

Michelson turned the momentum back into Worthington’s favor at 132, where he pinned Will Gehl in 1:26. Riley followed with a 40-second pin of Dalton Keeler at 138 as WHS went ahead 22-12.

Fulda/Murray County Central trimmed its deficit to 22-17 as Jordan Clarke scored an 18-3 technical fall against Bruns. But that was a close as the Warriors came.

Forfeits to Saenz (152) and Hagen (195) and pins from Cerda (3:14 at 170) and Schroeder (1:49 at 182) sealed the victory for Worthington.

Aaron Benson blanked Abraham 5-0 at 285.

Fairmont/Martin County West defeated Fulda/Murray County Central 54-23 in the first dual Friday.

Hartle (pin at 113), Blanchette (17-1 technical fall at 126), Loosbrock (pin at 160) and Behrends (pin at 220) won their matches for the Warriors.

“Loosbrock and Behrends have been with with this program since they both were young,” Fulda/Murray County Central coach Dan Blankenship said. “They are two solid wrestlers that we are able to count on.”

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