SAINT PAUL -- Brett Willaby, already a regular at the Minnesota state individual wrestling tournament, won his first championship Saturday at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul.
Willaby, a junior from Windom/Mountain Lake, went up against Canon Swanson of Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa in the Class A 126-pound title match. Swanson came in with a 45-0 record, but Willaby prevailed 5-2 to finish his remarkable season at 35-3.
The key, said Willaby, was getting the first takedown. He did that late in the first period, and he rode the undefeated Swanson much of the rest of the way to preserve his lead.
"I just knew that if I got a lead I was going to ride him," Willaby said. "Cuz I can ride just about everybody. I just knew that my top is so strong. That's my best thing as a wrestler, is my top."
Later Saturday night, Adrian 285-pounder Scot Edwards was set to wrestle the defending Class A champion, Craig Orlando of Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale-Parkers Prairie in the championship.
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Photos and stories from all the Saturday state tournament action will be posted online on Sunday.
