FARIBAULT – The Albert Lea Tigers took down Faribault, then took on yet another No.

Monday, January 07, 2002

FARIBAULT – The Albert Lea Tigers took down Faribault, then took on yet another No. 1 ranked team.

They came home with a split.

After beating Faribault 43-17 in a Big Nine dual meet, the Tigers fell 45-19 to Medford to complete a triangular at Faribault Friday night.

Medford, rated No. 1 in the state in Class A, became the Tigers’ fourth top-ranked opponent this season, following Apple Valley (Class AAA) in their own tournament and Blue Earth Area (Class AA) in a holiday scrimmage. They also faced Osage, which was Iowa’s top-ranked Class A team at the time.

Friday’s action brought Albert Lea’s record to 4-4 overall and 3-1 in the Big Nine.

&uot;I was real pleased with the way we wrestled,&uot; said Tigers coach Larry Goodnature. &uot;Faribault’s team has improved with a changing of their lineup, but we still went out there and took it to them. We were very aggressive and went for the fall.&uot;

The results against Faribault: 103 pounds, Josh Hansen won by fall in 4:35; 112, Alex Hansen won 6-0; 119, Nate Goodnature lost 7-4; 125, Brandon Klukow won 6-4; 130, Neal Underdahl won by fall in 2:46; 135, Adam Elseth won by fall in 2:42; 140, Adam Morreim won by fall in 1:30; 145, Nate Loberg lost by fall; 152, Dustin Eggum won 4-2 in overtime; 160, forfeit; 171, Justin Krueger won by fall in 5:06; 189, Derek Goodnature won 5-1; heavyweight, Adam Lares lost 6-0.

Medford’s squad had nine seniors and two juniors, including two defending state champs and another state finalist.

&uot;Medford deserves to be ranked No. 1,&uot; said Coach Goodnature. &uot;They have a fantastic team.&uot;

The Tigers’ results: 103, Josh Hansen eon 4-0; 112, Alex Hansen lost by fall; 119, Nate Goodnature won 5-2; 125, Klukow lost 12-5; 130, Underdahl lost by fall; 135, Elseth won 14-6; 140, Morreim won 4-1; 152, Loberg lost by fall; 160, forfeit; 171, Tony Stadheim lost by fall; 189, Derek Goodnature lost by fall; heavyweight, Chris Hable won by fall.

Elseth improved his record to 16-0 while Josh Hansen ran his to 15-1.

The Tigers travel to Butterfield to face Windom Area Tuesday.