WINONA – Adam Elseth didn’t plot an elaborate strategy to overcome a 4-3 deficit in the Section 1AAA 135-pound championship match.

Monday, February 25, 2002

WINONA – Adam Elseth didn’t plot an elaborate strategy to overcome a 4-3 deficit in the Section 1AAA 135-pound championship match. There wasn’t time.

He just wrestled instinctively, and came out top – literally and figuratively.

Elseth scored a reversal and a near fall in the final 20 seconds on Farmington senior Kyle Malin to rally for a dramatic 8-4 decision at Winona Saturday night. It earned the Albert Lea High School sophomore a trip to state, joining junior Josh Hansen, who took the title at 105.

Two other Tigers just missed state. Justin Krueger took third at 160 and Chris Hable was a surprising third at heavyweight.

Coach Larry Goodnature said it was a good tournament for the Tigers, who placed eight of their 13 entrants in the top six.

Elseth, who takes a record of 35-1 to state, said he was looking to score any way possible in the final seconds Saturday night.

&uot;I looked at the clock and knew I had to make a move,&uot; he said. &uot;It was just kind of a last-ditch effort, but it worked out all right.&uot;

Hansen, who improved to 35-1 with three falls and a 12-2 championship victory, had an easier time in his final. It’s his first high school state tournament after competing in more than 20 with the Albert Lea Youth Wrestling Club.

&uot;It’s a big accomplishment, especially coming off last year being in a position to take it and screwing up,&uot; said Hansen.

Both Elseth and Hansen have high hopes for state, being rated No. 8 and No. 2, respectively.

&uot;I’m looking for two medals out of those guys,&uot; said Coach Goodnature.

Krueger, a senior, wrestled his final match for the Tigers, finishing the season 27-9.

Hable, a sophomore, was the biggest surprise of the tournament, pinning opponents he lost to earlier in the season. He finished 13-24.

Freshman Brandon Klukow was fifth at 125. Placing sixth were Alex Hansen, 112; Nate Loberg, 145; Dustin Eggum, 152; and Adam Lares, 189.

&uot;We had eight of 13 place in the section tournament,&uot; said Goodnature. &uot;With the young team we have, that’s good.&uot;

The state tournament is Thursday through Saturday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The opening round for Hansen and Elseth is at 6 p.m. Thursday.