Albert Lea junior high wrestlers take 8th place at state tourney
Published 12:40 pm Saturday, April 19, 2014
Members of the Albert Lea junior high wrestling team stand in Rochester with their trophies after the National Youth Wrestling Association’s state meet. From left are Nic Cantu, Jessie Hernandez, Gavin Ignaszewski and Joseph Peterson, who were all state champions. — Submitted
The Albert Lea junior high wrestling team competed at the National Youth Wresting Association state tournament in Rochester April 3 and 4 with 32 other teams, according to a press release.
The Tigers took second place in their pool on Day 1 and finished in eighth place overall.
The team members included Jacob Johnsrud, Joseph Peterson, Trevor Johnson, Jessie Hernandez, Gavin Ignaszewski, Brady Nielsen, Hunter Lowman, Steven Larson, Marcus McCullough, Nic Cantu, Zechariah Livingston, Garrett Grandstrand and Logan Donovan.
The Tigers had 11 junior high wrestlers participate at the individual regional qualifying tournament in Windom on March 22, and nine wrestlers qualified for the Northland Youth Wrestling Association state individual tournament. Wrestlers must place in the top three in their weight class to qualify for state.
Albert Lea also had two wrestlers qualify for the invite tournament by placing fourth through sixth at the regional tournament. Hunter Lowman was champion at the invite tournament. Jacob Johnsrud placed second at the state tournament, and Nic Cantu, Joseph Peterson, Jessie Hernandez and Gavin Ignaszewski were all state champions.
