Tigers pin their competition

Published 9:05 am Friday, January 13, 2017

: Albert Lea wrestler and heavyweight Tanner Palmer pins Mankato West’s Mitchell Bigaouett during Thursday’s triangular at Albert Lea High School. Jarrod Peterson/Albert Lea Tribune

A week after losing a heartbreaking match against Owatonna, the Albert Lea wrestling team returned to the mat to face two Big Nine Conference foes — Mankato West and Rochester Century — Thursday night at Albert Lea High School.

In their first matchup of the night, the Tigers picked apart Mankato West, winning by a score of 50-25.

Albert Lea won nine of the 14 matches, and got pins from Matt Palmer, Caleb Talamantes, Nic Cantu, Ty Harms, Garrett Aldrich and Brady Nielsen, earning wins via falls.

Albert Lea’s Gavin Ignaszewski beat Josh Block 4-2, and the Tigers got a big 25-10 win from Zach Glazier over Dustin Mueller.

Trent Johnston picked up a win by forfeit.

Albert Lea’s Zach Glazier looks to escape the grasp of Mankato West’s Dustin Mueller Thursday night. Glazier beat Mueller by technical fall, 25-10.

Things did not get any better for Albert Lea’s next opponent on the night. The Tigers throttled Rochester Century and won by a score of 73-6.

Albert Lea won 13 of the 14 matches, and had seven pins.

Johnston won his first match of the night by forfeit, but was able to face an opponent in his second match of the night. Johnston pinned Rochester Century’s Seth Arndt in 1:46.

Albert Lea had four falls that occurred within the first minute of a match, and Levi Kermes pinned opponent Casey Neumann in a stunning 18 seconds.

Albert Lea will wrestle at St. Cloud Tech High School on Saturday.