The last two years the Albert Lea wrestling team has lost in the final match of the dual against Anoka, but the Tigers are looking to reverse those fortunes Saturday when they travel to Anoka for “The Big Show.”

People in Anoka dubbed the dual “The Big Show” and it has certainly lived up to its billing in the past. This season Anoka enters the dual ranked No. 3 in Class AAA, and Albert Lea No. 4.

“It’s been some very exciting duals for the last two years,” said Tigers head coach Larry Goodnature. “They are strong again and I think we match up well with them.”

The strength for Albert Lea is the lower weights and the Tigers have used their prowess to jump out to early advantages. The lower weights have wrestled aggressively thus far into the season and have picked up many victories by falls.

Success at the lower weights will again be the key Saturday for Albert Lea as the Tornadoes have some outstanding wrestlers in the upper weights.

Anoka has five wrestlers ranked in the top 10, and all five come from 135 pounds to 285. The Tornadoes have the No. 1 ranked wrestler at 285 in Jake Kettler. They also have Luke Ducharme, No. 7 at 189, Josh McLain, No. 6 at 160, Jake Begin, No. 4 at 152, Jake Waste, No. 3 at 145, and Zak Threadgill, No. 9 at 135.

The dual will likely go down to the wire once again and depend on how each team picks up victories.

“We don’t want to give up bonus points,” assistant coach Jon Hansen said.

Kettler is injured but there is a possibility he might return for this dual, Hansen said.

Waste won the Christmas Tournament last weekend at 145 and will be a tough matchup for the Tigers Saturday. Along with Waste, Begin is a very tough wrestler at 152. Begin and McLain each placed fourth at the Christmas Tournament.

Albert Lea will likely shuffle its lineup more than it has yet this season to produce some favorable matchups. Hansen and Goodnature have been discussing moves since last week and Cody Hansen will likely be moved to a different weight. Kyle Kriewall will likely be inserted at 130 for the dual.

Matt Tiegs sat out the dual against Mayo Tuesday, but will return Saturday for the Tigers while the lower weights will look much like they have in other duals this season.

Picking up a win against Anoka would go a long way for Albert Lea as they prepare for The Clash which will take place the first week of January.

The Clash is considered the national dual tournament for high school and is the premier wrestling tournament for high school wrestlers.