That’s the way they like it

Published 8:28 am Monday, January 5, 2009

The Albert Lea wrestling team came out firing on Day Two of the Clash VII in Rochester.

After struggling to 0-3 after the first day of competition against two nationally ranked teams and a team the Tigers defeated earlier this season, Albert Lea dominated the other three teams in the eighth bracket.

Albert Lea topped Ponderosa (Colo.) 43-22, Mt. Carmel (Ill.) 30-28, and Luxemburg Casco (Wis.,) 55-18 on Saturday to finish one of the nation’s toughest wrestling tournaments 3-3.

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“The kids came out and just forgot about Saturday,” said Albert Lea coach Larry Goodnature. “We got three teams that are more of our caliber and the kids really responded and were really aggressive going for the fall.”

Matt Tiegs at 171 pounds and Cory Hansen at 112 topped the list of individual performances during the Clash as both finished the weekend a perfect 6-0. Dalton Westerland at 119 and Cody Hansen at 130 both finished 5-1.

During the first day of competition, the Tigers fell in the opener to Montini Catholic (Ill.) 47-15, then to Blue Springs (Mo.) 33-21. Montini was the 24th-ranked team in the country while Blue Springs was ranked 27th coming in.

“We get into this tournament for the competition,” Goodnature said. “It’s to wrestle the best in the country.”

He said the Tigers fared as well as could be expected against Blue Springs and Montini.

“We wouldn’t beat them if we had full strength,” said Goodnature, whose team was missing two regulars in Trey Hable and Logan Kortan.

The Tigers finished Friday with a 40-19 setback against Kasson-Mantorville.

The weekend’s competition will be a boost to his squad come section and state tournament time because the competition at The Clash is better, Goodnature said.

The Tigers return to action on Thursday at Big Nine rival Austin.

Albert Lea 43, Ponderoda (Colo.) 22

112—Cory Hansen (AL) won by forfeit .

119—Dalton Westerland (AL) pinned John Lewis 1:57.

125—Adam Clark (AL) dec. Alec Hinejosa 5-2.

130—Cody Hansen (AL) maj. dec. Greg Davis 12-1.

135—Trevor Rasmussen (AL) pinned Thad Gallegos 1:34.

140—Jacob Snider (P) tech. fall Carter Kortan 15-0, 2:30.

145—Daniel Kelly (P) tech. fall Zach Kozolek 18-3, 4:00.

152—Steven Kelly (P) maj. dec. Connor Kortan 11-1.

160—Austin Gabel (P) tech. fall Eric Espe 23-8, 5:57.

171—Matt Tiegs (AL) dec. Stephone Kling 5-0.

189—Derek Good (P) dec. Jordan Holland 8-1

215—Ethan Reed (AL) pinned Cody Young 1:13.

285—Alex Neilsen (AL) dec. Jon Cragg 6-0.

103—Lucas Hansen (AL) pinned Derek Bialoncik 1:42.

Albert Lea 30, Mt. Carmel (Ill.) 28

119—Dalton Westerland (AL) maj. dec. Kevin Skryzpiec 9-0.

125—Mike Maggi (MC) tech. fall Adam Clark 20-5, 5:23.

130—Cody Hansen (AL) dec. Tyler Argue 6 -3.

135—Trevor Rasmussen (AL) dec. Mike Pulido 12-5.

140—Tim Corse (MC) dec. Carter Kortan 9-7.

145—Brian Strenk (MC) dec. Zach Kozolek 9-6.

152—Mike Sawyer (MC) dec. Connor Kortan 2-0.

160—Nick Gelsosomo (MC) tech. fall Caleb Gaudian 15-0, 5:50.

171—Eric Espe (AL) won by forfeit.

189—Matt Tiegs (AL) dec. Luke Coogan 2-0.

215—J.D. Seiler (AL) won by forfeit.

285—Curtis Vacendak (MC) pinned Ethan Reed 1:21.

103—Brendan Tyler Hall (MC) dec. Lucas Hansen 5-3.

112—Cory Hansen (AL) tech. fall Peyton Brezinski 17-0, 0:00.

Albert Lea 55, Luxemburg Cacso (Wis.) 18.

125—Adam Clark (AL) pinned Reece Melotte 1:26.

130—Cody Hansen (AL) dec. Jordan Gianchino 5-0.

135—Trevor Friday (AL) pinned Mitch Berceau 1:23.

140—Trevor Rasmussen (AL) pinned Kyle Vickman 2:39.

145—Carter Kortan (AL) pinned Mike Uliana 1:34.

152—Chris Kipp (LC) pinned Connor Kortan 1:00.

160—Brent Kinnard (LC) pinned Caleb Gaudian 3:03.

171—Matt Tiegs (AL) dec. Will Stahl 4-1.

189—Jordan Holland (AL) dec. Adam Hallet 4-0.

215—J.D. Seiler (AL) pinned Mike Vandenbush 1:56.

285—Trever Spude (LC) pinned Alex Neilsen 2:32.

103—Lucas Hansen (AL) pinned Matt Ronsman 1:36.

112—Cory Hansen (AL) pinned Zach Skarda 2:50.

119—Dalton Westerland (AL) maj. dec. Jordan Seidl 11-0.