Written by: Keith Harner & Colin Staab
The Northfield wrestling team hosted Albert Lea and Faribault in a Big Nine conference battle Thursday night. All three teams are ranked Lean and Mean according to the Guillotine’s high school rankings. Northfield also hosted a Takedown for Cancer night raising $1,300 for cancer research. To add to the excitement of the night, James Gang Wrestling also held their youth wrestling night with about 50 youth wrestlers attending.
The Raiders lost their first dual of the night to Class AA Lean and Mean, Albert Lea 51-21; Caley Graber started off the dual with a 5-0 decision over Ryan Collins at 106 pounds. Jackson Barron won by fall at 160 pounds over Teaghen Tolbers. Owen Murphy picked up a fall over Brycin Kirsch at 182 pounds, and Ryan Kuypers with a win by fall at 220 pounds over Evan Schroeder.
During the second dual of the night, the Raiders were sparked by a few huge victories, and a complete team win in their 39-34 defeat over the Faribault Falcons. The dual started with three consecutive falls by Caley Graber, Caden Staab and Zane Engels giving Northfield the lead, 18-0. At 132 pounds, seventh grader Sam Harner defeated senior Ricky Cordova by decision (3-2). At 160 pounds, ninth ranked Class AAA Jackson Barron had a huge fall over Faribault’s Elliot Viland. Another big win was Colin Staab’s hard fought 10-7 decision over Cooper Leichtnam at 170 pounds. At 182 pounds, 10th ranked Owen Murphy defeated George Soto by decision (5-0). Ryan Kuyper also picked up six bonus points with his fall over Marcos Ramirez at 220 pounds.
Northfield Varsity will travel to Lake City Saturday to take part in an individual
tournament. The middle schoolers and freshmen will go to Farmington to wrestle at the Ninth
Grade State Qualifier.
$1,300. Thank you to the many generous donations. Photo credit Dana Kuyper