Logan Kortan became the winningest wrestler in Albert Lea history and the Tigers rolled to a championship victory at the Champlin Park Tournament Saturday in Champlin Park.

Kortan tied Adam Elseth for 160 career wins with a pinfall victory over Gabe Nah, of Blaine. Kortan, wrestling at 160 pounds, broke the record against Chaska when he pinned Adam Magness at 1 minute, 23 seconds. Kortan finished the tournament 4-0 with four victories by fall to extend his career win total to 163.

Kortan, a stalwart of the Albert Lea program, started wrestling varsity in eighth grade, but has found his senior season his most trying as he missed the first month and a half of the season because of an injury he suffered during the football season.

“I’m really happy for him and really proud of him,” said Tigers head coach Larry Goodnature. “He’s been a solid varsity wrestler. Coming back from that injury has shown a lot of character. He has shown what he is about this year.”

Kortan, a state place winner for four years, has served as an example for other wrestlers in the program.

“He’s a really hard worker and he leads by example,” Goodnature said. “He’s a good role model for our guys to look up to.”

Albert Lea defeated St. Francis, No. 10 in Class 3A according to The Guillotine, 35-23 for the tournament championship.

The Tigers trailed 13-11 and the dual went back and forth until the upper weights decided it for Albert Lea.

Logan Kortan, wrestling at 171 tied the dual at 23 when he pinned Jared Blaser at 3:47.

The upper weights took over as the Tigers won the final three matches for a 35-23 win. Jordan Holland earned a 6-4 decision against Travis Mattson at 189, Alex Nielsen grabbed a 4-0 victory over Dalton Winkelman at 215 and Ethan Reed ended it with a 17-5 major decision against Levon Smith.

“Some of the matches didn’t go our way in the lower weights which is kind of unusual,” Goodnature said. “It was good to see our kids didn’t quit. Our kids really had to dig in.”

Albert Lea cruised in the earlier rounds as the Tigers dominated Blaine 64-9 in the first round, defeated Chaska 68-4 in the second round and blasted Eagan 66-3 in the third round.

Albert Lea has three duals this week beginning with Winona Thursday in Winona. The Tigers will travel to Augsburg College Friday to face Coon Rapids in a high school showcase match before the Auggies, ranked No. 1 in Division III, take on No. 2 ranked Wartburg College. Albert Lea will finish the week against Adrian Saturday in Albert Lea.

Albert Lea 64, Blaine 9

103 — Trey Hable (AL) pinned Cobly Mothershead :41, 112 — Cory Hansen (AL) pinned Matt Young :48, 119 — Dalton Westerlund (AL) pinned John Krzyska 2:55, 125 — Cody Hansen (AL) pinned Chris Hintz 2:29, 130 — Adam Clark (AL) maj. dec. Aaron West 11-1, 135 — Trevor Rasmussen (AL) tech. fall Brad Eisenschenk 15-0, 140 — Ross Lundquist (B) dec. Carter Kortan 11-8, 145 — Adam Kermes (AL) pinned Jarrod Baadsgaard 3:04, 152 — Conner Kortan (AL) pinned Quincy Nuquay 3:22, 160 — Logan Kortan (AL) pinned Gabe Nah 1:11, 171 — Eric Espe (AL) maj. dec. Luke Kennedy 9-1, 189 — Jordan Holland (AL) dec. Joe Stearly 11-6, 215 — Ethan Reed (AL) pinned Dan Stefczak :44, 289 — Travis Gavin (B) pinned Alex Nielsen 1:22

Albert Lea 68, Chaska 4

103 — Trey Hable (AL) maj. dec. Ethan Loosbrock 14-1, 112— Cory Hansen (AL) dec. R.J. Hallman 6-1, 119 — Dalton Westerlund (AL) pinned Jake Deutchlander 2:53; 125 — Cody Hansen (AL) won by forfeit, 130 — Kyle Kriewall (AL) pinned Zach Boyum :33, 135 — Trevor Rasmussen (AL) won by inj. def. Alec Forgarty, 140 — Carter Kortan (AL) dec. Danny Egesdal 6-2, 145 — Pat Smith (C) maj. dec. Adams Kermes 18-8, 152 — Conner Kortan (AL) dec. Josh Blackowiak 4-0, 160 — Logan Kortan (AL) pinned Adam Magness 1:23, 171 — Eric Espe (AL) won by forfeit, 189 — Jordan Holland (AL) pinned David Clark 2:33, 215 — Ethan Reed won by forfeit, 285 — Alex Nielsen (AL) won by forfeit.

Albert Lea 66, Eagan 3

103 — Trey Hable (AL) pinned Soren Hansen 1:02, 112 — Cory Hansen (AL) dec. Yonas Gebreab 5-0, 119 — Dalton Westerlund (AL) pinned Connor Moore 1:16, 125 — Cody Hansen (AL) pinned Mike Martchev :37, 130 — Kyle Kriewall (AL) pinned Mike Marsh 1:49, 135 — Trevor Rasmussen (AL) pinned Ryan Weber :40, 140 — Carter Kortan (AL) dec. Luke Thiele 6-2, 145 — Anders Olmanson (E) dec. Trevor Friday 4-1, 152 — Conner Kortan (AL) pinned Jacob Parsons 4:45, 160 — Logan Kortan (AL) pinned Bob Rada 2:39, 171 — Eric Espe (AL) dec. Jacob Lueck 8-4, 189 — Jordan Holland (AL) pinned Max Smith 5:16, 215 — Ethan Reed (AL) pinned Mitch Johnson 1:37, 285 — Alex Nielsen (AL) dec. Tom Kunjummen 7-0.

Albert Lea 35, St. Francis 23

103 — Austin Leibel (S) dec. Trey Hable 11-9, OT; 112 — Cory Hansen (AL) tech. fall Taylor Charles 15-0, 119 — Dalton Westerlund (AL) pinned Josh Bishop 3:45, 125 — Trent Herod (S) dec. Cody Hansen 3-2, 130 — Jim Lambeth (S) dec. Adam Clark 8-3, 135 — Mike Castellano (S) maj. dec. Trevor Rasmussen 13-0, 140 — Carter Kortan (AL) dec. Blake Carty 2-0, 145 — Mac Rivard (S) maj. dec. Trevor Friday 12-4, 152 — Conner Kortan (AL) dec. Kyle Allen 4-3, 160 — Travis Kapol (S) pinned Eric Espe 2:54, 171 — Logan Kortan (AL) pinned Jared Blaser 3:47, 189 — Jordan Holland (AL) dec. Travis Mattson 6-4, 215 — Alex Nielsen (AL) dec. Dalton Winkelman 4-0, 285 — Ethan Reed (AL) maj. dec. Levon Smith 17-5.