There aren’t as many teams as in the past.

Thursday, November 29, 2001

There aren’t as many teams as in the past.

But what the 2001 Albert Lea Wrestling Invitational lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for with quality.

Two top-ranked teams are among five squads who will compete in Saturday’s annual season-opening, dual-meet tournament at Albert Lea High School.

The field is led by Apple Valley, last year’s Class AAA Minnesota state champion that’s ranked No. 1. The Eagles are rated No. 4 nationally. Osage, Iowa, which won the Class A Iowa state dual-meet title last year, is also rated No. 1. The other teams are perennial powers Faribault and New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva.

&uot;Starting out with two defending state champions, we’ll find out at the beginning of the season what we’re made of,&uot; said Albert Lea coach Larry Goodnature, whose Tigers are ranked No. 10 in Class AAA in the current Guillotine ratings.

There will be five sessions, set for 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Each team has a bye, with the Tigers’ at 2:30.

Apple Valley and Osage, who battled to the finish to decide last year’s championship, are scheduled to wrestle at 4 p.m.

As usual, the field also includes several highly ranked individuals.

Here’s the Tigers’ probable starting lineup: 103 pounds, Josh Hansen; 112, Alex Hansen; 119, Nate Goodnature; 125, Brandon Klukow; 130, Neal Underdahl; 135, Adam Elseth; 140, Adam Morreim; 145, Nate Loberg or Jake Clark; 152, Jared Butler or Jake Levisen; 160, Brandon Servantez or Matt Neist; 171, Justin Krueger; 189, Adam Lares or Derek Goodnature; heavyweight, Chris Hable.

The Tigers have only two seniors, Krueger and Lares, but they have considerable varsity experience and what Coach Goodnature feels is some good talent.

&uot;The biggest thing is a lot of these kids are serious about wrestling,&uot; said Goodnature. &uot;They believe in themselves, they believe in Albert Lea wrestling. We’ve got great intensity and enthusiasm right now.&uot;

As much as Goodnature is anticipating Saturday’s tournament, he can’t help but look ahead to their Thursday night home dual meet against Owatonna, which finished second in the state to Apple Valley last year and is currently rated No. 2.