FARMINGTON &045;&160;The Albert Lea wrestling team found itself in unfamiliar territory this season in the finals at the Farmington Invitational over the weekend.

The top-ranked Tigers found themselves trailing Class AA fifth-ranked Scott West 18-9 after seven matches in the finals of the dual tournament.

But rather then panic in this situation the Tigers appeared to relish the opportunity.

Beginning with Matt Morris’ 10-5 decision at 145 Albert Lea won all but one of the final seven matches to take the team title and win its dual with Scott West, 30-20.

&8220;I think it shows what kind of character this team has to come back when you are down 18-9,&8221; said Albert Lea head coach Larry Goodnature.

&8220;We have a lot of upperclassmen in the heavier weights and they didn’t panic.

They just went out there to wrestle and let the points take care of themselves.

&8220;I was impressed with what those kids were able to do.

It is good for us to have those pressure situations, and I think we responded very well which is what good teams do.&8221;

Nate Goodnature followed Morris’ win with a 5-2 victory over Derek Boumeester at 152 to close the gap to 18-15.

Taylor Ignaszewski would get three points in his match to tie the team score, but the win was even more important than that.

Ignaszewski, who won 9-7 in double overtime against Chris Herrmann, reversed a result from earlier in the season when Herrmann was able to trip him up.

Alex Paul had similar success in overturning an earlier loss against Peter Eischens with a 5-1 decision at 171.

Paul had lost in overtime in the previous matchup.

&8220;To get those two matches turned around in our favor was the key for us winning,&8221; said coach Goodnature.

&8220;That shows that we are improving and getting better as the season progresses.&8221;

Scott West would get the win at 189 but Mike Honeycutt downed Alex Krautkremer at 215 and Ben Berhow needed just 1:51 to pin Tyler Nybert to close out the dual.

Cody Hansen (103), Logan Kortan (112) and

Beau Hansen (130) also picked up wins for the Tigers against Scott West.

Albert Lea begin the Farmington Invite by disposing of Lakeville North 62-18.

Tim Aldrich, Anthony Tippett, Logan Hansen, Brandon Mellang, Goodnature, Ignaszewski, Matt Vietze, Honeycutt and Berhow all had pins to help Albert Lea rack up the team points.

&8220;We always wrestle for the pin and that is what we were able to do,&8221; said coach Goodnature.

The Tigers were equally dominant against Farmington posting a 67-9 win and hammered Egan 51-12.

The Tigers continue to rotate different wrestlers into the lineup getting experience for several kids, but do not sacrifice results as Trevor Rasmussen and Tim Frazier picked up wins for the team.

Albert Lea faces Winona at home Thursday in a Big Nine Conference Dual before participating in the St. Cloud Tech Tournament this weekend.

Note: The Albert Lea Wrestling Boosters are taking a fan bus to the St. Cloud Tech Tournament next Saturday.

If anyone is interested in going the cost will be $10 per person.

Please contact Brian Paul at 377-0307.