Wrestling takes care of business in final matches before the postseason 

By Colin Staab and Keith Harner

The wrestling team traveled to Rochester Century for a triangular along with John Marshall. In the final two matches before the postseason begins next Thursday, the Raiders posted two dominant showings.

In the first dual of the night, Northfield took on Rochester John Marshall. Northfield won by forfeit at 107, 114, 121 and 127 pounds. At 133 pounds, Keith Harner was back in action winning by technical fall 19-3 over Jaxon Sebring. Zane Engles and Sam Harner both received forfeits at 139 and 145 pounds. Austin Benjamin lost by fall at 152 pounds to Lama Kamara. However, Colin Staab got the major decision victory at the next weight of 160 pounds. Another wrestler that was back in the lineup was Owen Murphy at 172 pounds where he picked up the fall over Devon Nelson in just over one minute. Braxton Wood received a forfeit at 189 pounds. Ryan Kuyper wrestled the most entertaining match of the night against Wyette Stanton where they put up a combined 14 points in the first minute before Kuyper picked up the second period fall. To round out the first dual of the night, Noah Ackerman got the fall at heavyweight over Evan Hernandez in 5:34. Northfield won the first matchup of the night 69-6.

Northfield’s second dual was against the hometown team Rochester Century. Caley Graber started things off with a fall in under a minute at 107 pounds. Drew Pribyl lost a close match by a decision to Keon Callies at 114 pounds. Charlie Johnson fought hard but lost by a major decision to Keegan Thoma at 121 pounds. Caden Staab bounced things back with a fall over Jackson Spearman at 127 pounds. Keith Harner dominated his match 16-3 over Isaak Douangdy at 133 pounds. Zane Engels won by fall over Gabrien Callies at 139 pounds. Sam Harner kept things rolling with a major decision over Aaron Olson at 145 pounds. Austin Benjamin lost by fall to Michael Nail at 152 pounds. Colin Staab won by a major decision over Cooper Sheeran to bounce things back at 160 pounds. Owen Murphy also won by a major decision over William Dauner Olson at 172 pounds. Ryan Kuyper received his 75th win by fall over Alain Mayer at 189 pounds. Braxton Wood lost by fall to Dylan White at 215 pounds. Noah Ackerman ended things off with a victory by fall over Didi Alonso Franco at heavyweight. Northfield won 46-19 for their last conference match before sections.

The girls wrestling started the postseason section tournament on Friday in Redwood Falls. Rowan Seeley took third at 118 pounds. Lainey Houts beat the third ranked female wrestler in the state at 124 pounds punching her ticket to the Xcel Energy Center. 

This weekend is the Big 9 JV Conference held on Saturday in Owatonna which wraps up the JV season. Last weekend was the state ninth grade tournament where Northfield’s Elijah Palmer finished eight at 160 pounds.

Northfield wrapped up the regular season with a second place finish in the Big 9 Conference behind Albert Lea. In the last Guillotine team rankings, the Raiders are ranked 11th. Northfield varsity’s next match will be the team sections on Thursday. Their opponent will be announced on Sunday.