Albert Leans better than O.K.
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, January 29, 2002
TULSA, Okla.
Tuesday, January 29, 2002
TULSA, Okla. – The Cliff Keen Tulsa Nationals has been called the toughest wrestling tournament in the world.
Some of the toughest individuals at the 47th annual edition hailed from Albert Lea.
A group of 10 Albert Lea youths combined to win the outstate team national championship trophy as the top-placing squad outside of Oklahoma. The locals edged two tough teams from Nebraska and one from New Jersey to claim the prestigious honor. The tournament, held earlier this month, included approximately 2,700 wrestlers from the United States and Canada competing in five age divisions.
A remarkable six of 10 Albert Lea wrestlers earned All-American honors by finishing in the top six.
&uot;With anywhere from 12 to 45 wrestlers in a bracket, it was no easy task to place in the top six,&uot; said Jon Hansen, one of six Albert Lea coaches at the tournament; the others were Jack Kortan, Layne Hable, Kevin Reed, Dan Hansen and Frank Flores.
Three Albert Lea wrestlers were crowned national champions: Corben Hansen, 6-and-under, 65 pounds; Cory Hansen, 8-and-under, 58 pounds; and Nick Flores, 10-and-under, 100 pounds.
Corben Hansen opened with a 6-5 decision, then pinned two opponents to reach the finals, where he won 11-7 to avenge a loss to an opponent who beat him in the finals of the November National Kickoff Classic tournament.
Cory Hansen won by fall, an 11-0 major decision and a 4-0 decision before pinning his semifinal opponent. He won 4-2 in the finals.
Flores scored an 8-5 decision in the first round, then two falls, a 6-2 decision and a 4-2 victory. Trailing 4-0 entering the third period in the title bout, Flores flipped his opponent to his back and locked him up for a fall.
The other All-Americans were Logan Kortan, second place, 10-and-under, 80 pounds; Connor Kortan, third place, 8-and-under, 70 pounds; and Carter Kortan, fourth place, 8-and-under, 67 pounds.
Logan Kortan made an impressive run through the wrestlebacks after falling to the eventual champion in the second round. His path to the true second-place match included two returning national champs and a runner-up from last year. He won 3-2 for second place, beating a returning placewinner from last year.
The rest of the Albert Lea squad included Lucas Hansen, 6-and-under, 49 pounds; Trey Hable, 8-and-under, 55 pounds; Cody Hansen, 10-and-under, 73 pounds; and Ethan Reed, 10-and-under, 130 pounds.
&uot;The coaches were all very pleased and excited with the way these kids competed,&uot; said Jon Hansen. &uot;And would like to extend a big thank you to these kids and their parents for a great weekend of wrestling and camaraderie.&uot;