For the Tribune

ST.

Monday, February 25, 2002

ST. JAMES – John Niebuhr lived up to his billing, pinning his way to the Section 3A 140-pound wrestling championship.

Niebuhr, a United South Central junior, advanced to state for the fourth time while leading area individuals in Saturday’s section competition.

Four others qualified for state, including Niebuhr’s 125-pound teammate Kenny Sandt. He was a section runner-up.

Niebuhr, rated No. 1 in the state at his weight, pinned all three opponents and needed only 48 seconds in the final. He wrestled less than two minutes in the tournament, improving his record to 35-2.

Alden-Conger’s Alex Drescher and David Schmidt also advanced to state. Drescher was a section champ at heavyweight while Schmidt took second at 152.

The other area qualifier was NRHEG’s Bill Root, who finished second in the section at 171.

The opening round at state for all five is Thursday at 8 a.m. in St. Paul.