By Keith Harner & Colin Staab
The Raider Wrestling team took on Rochester John Marshall (JM) and Century Thursday night at Rochester John Marshall High School.
Northfield started off with a hot start against JM with back-to-back pins by Caley Graber and Caden Staab. Zane Engels, Keith Harner and Sam Harner all won by forfeit to give Northfield a 30-0 lead through 132 pounds. Andrew Williams won by fall at 138 pounds. Followed by Austin Benjamin winning his first varsity match with a fall at 145 pounds. Next, Iah Schweich lost by decision. Jackson Barron, Colin Staab, Owen Murphy and Ryan Kuyper all won by fall to seal the deal for the Raiders. The Raiders won 66-12.
Northfield kicked off their second dual of the night against Rochester Century with a fall from Caley Graber. Caden Staab won by a decision 5-2 followed by Zane Engels, Keith Harner, Iah Schwiek, Colin Staab and Owen Murphy all winning by fall. Sam Harner wrestled a great match to earn a decision 4-2. Jackson Barron and Ryan Kuyper collected six team points each as well by forfeit. The Raiders wrapped it up in Rochester with a final score against Century winning 53-18.
The varsity team will be off over the weekend in preparation for the team section tournament on Thursday. The girls will wrestle in the individual girls section tournament in Hastings which will
determine who will advance to the Girls Minnesota State High School League State Tournament in early March at the Xcel Energy Center. Junior varsity (JV) will wrestle their last tournament of the year in Albert Lea at the JV Conference Invite.
