By Keith Harner and Colin Staab
The Raiders took a trip to one of the most electric environments in Minnesota high school wrestling on Saturday at the Rochester Mayo Civic Center. All three classes wrestled their finals matches at 2 p.m… Northfield took on Albert Lea in the class AAA finals match. The winner would punch their ticket to the Xcel Energy Center. Northfield dueled the Tigers January 25 where they lost 33-24.
Northfield started off the dual just like almost every other one. Caley Graber picked up the win with a 6-3 decision over Devon Groess. That was about the only positive thing for the remainder of the matchup. Drew Pribyl lost to eighth ranked Dylan Groess 20-6 at 114 pounds. At 121 pounds, Caden Staab lost 7-3 to Ryan Collins. Charlie Johnson fell to third ranked Logan Davis by fall in the first period at 121 pounds, but that was just the start of Albert Lea’s ranked wrestlers. Second ranked Michael Olson scored a 22-7 technical fall as time expired against Keith Harner at 133 pounds. At 139 pounds Brody Ignaszewski, who was formerly ranked tenth, majored Zane Engels 12-4. Second ranked, Nick Korman pinned Austin Benjamin in 35 seconds. Albert Lea had a commanding 28-3 lead.
Sam Harner took on Mason Attig at 152 pounds where he suffered a 3-0 loss. Colin Staab lost a close match 8-7 against Brecken Wacholz. At 172 pounds, Iah Schwiech got pinned in 41 seconds by Triton Cox. Braxton Wood lost a close match to Teaghen Tolbers at 189 pounds, 4-2.
Finally at 215 pounds, Ryan Kuyper picked up a victory with his 15-5 major decision over Evan Schroeder. Noah Ackerman lost his match at heavyweight by fall to William Velazquez to round out the dual, and the season for Northfield. The final score read 49-7 in favor of Albert Lea.
While the season for Northfield’s team is done, they will compete in the individual tournament next Saturday for a chance at state as an Individual. That tournament will also take place in the Rochester Mayo Civic Center.
| Weight | Northfield | Albert Lea | Result | Team Score |
| 107 | Caley Graber | Devon Groess | N 6-3 | 3-0 |
| 114 | Drew Pribyl | Dylan Groess | A 20-6 | 3-4 |
| 121 | Caden Staab | Ryan Collins | A 7-3 | 3-7 |
| 127 | Charlie Johnson | Logan Davis | A Fall :41 | 3-13 |
| 133 | Keith Harner | Mike Olson | A 22-7 | 3-18 |
| 139 | Zane Engels | Brody Ignaszewski | A 12-4 | 3-22 |
| 145 | Austin Benjamin | Nick Korman | A fall :35 | 3-28 |
| 152 | Sam Harner | Mason Attig | A 3-0 | 3-31 |
| 160 | Colin Staab | Brecken Wachloz | A 8-7 | 3-34 |
| 172 | Iah Schwiech | Triton Cox | A fall :41 | 3-40 |
| 189 | Braxton Wood | Teaghen Tolbers | A 4-2 | 3-43 |
| 215 | Ryan Kuyper | Evan Schroeder | N 15-5 | 7-43 |
| 285 | Noah Ackerman | William Valazquez | A fall 2:32 | 7-49 |