First, it was COVID-19 that forced a months long delay to the high school wrestling season. Then last Thursday, it appeared to be the weather that was putting a wrench into Co-coach Matt Aho’s plans for the first match of the season at St. Francis. But in an ironic Minnesota winter twist, the conditions improved as the day went on and the Bulldogs were able to travel that afternoon to take on the Saints. The result was a lopsided 59-11 victory, as Becker was able to pick up five pins along the way.
“Seeing that the weather might taper off, I told the guys to stay ready just in case and they did,” said Aho, who was unsure if the match would go on as planned after school had been canceled.
“So, when I told them that it was still on they all were ready to compete.”
Ready indeed, as the Bulldogs won 11 out of 14 matches on the evening in taking down the Class AAA conference foe.
“As a coach, you’re always a little anxious about how your team will perform for the first time,” added Aho. “I thought we as a team did some good things on the mat, and our conditioning and technique were there, but will be things that we will improve on.”
Eighth grader Kaden Nicolas started things off for the Bulldogs at 106 pounds and scored a technical fall, good for five team points. The Saints came rumbling back to win the next three matches and take an 11-5 lead, but Becker settled down and swept the final 10 matches to secure the dominant win.
Overall, it was an impressive effort from a team that hadn’t wrestled matches in a Bulldog uniform in 10 months.
“We had a couple wrestlers wrestling their first varsity match, all the way to a senior that was wrestling his 170th varsity match,” said Aho. “I was happy overall with our performance.”
Bulldog Victories
Ethan Duncombe, 132 lbs (fall 4:14); Ryan Boecker, 138 lbs (forfeit); Kevin Drehmel, 145 lbs (forfeit); Lukas Paulson, 152 lbs (fall 0:53); Adam Jurek, 160 lbs (9-7 decision); Tyson Ricker, 170 lbs (3-0 decision); Dylan Weber, 182 lbs (fall 2:45); Caden DeWall, 195 lbs (fall 0:16); Bryce Kuschel, 220 lbs (forfeit); Dylan Kolby, 285 (fall 4:30).
Friday Dominance
Friday night, Becker traveled to the metro area and overwhelmed both of its opponents, bombing the Blaine Bengals 59-18 before finishing off Park Center 66-12.
In both contests, Becker again claimed victories in 11 of the 14 matches, giving them an overall 33-9 individual match record in the first week of action.
Scoring pins for the Bulldogs in the win over Blaine were: Nicolas (2:31); Landen Kujawa, 113 lbs (1:03); Kaden Rish, 145 lbs (3:11); Paulson (0:55); Kyle Rish, 170 lbs (0:19); Weber (2:30); DeWall (0:23), and Kuschel (2:08).
Drew May, with a decision at 126 pounds, picked up a win, as did Jurek and Kolby.
In the nightcap, Becker had a pin parade in the win over the Pirates as eight wrestlers stuck their opponents.
Scoring falls for the Bulldogs were: Kujawa (2:21); May (1:14); Duncombe (0:30); Owen Angell, 145 lbs (2:41); Paulson (4:11); Jurek (2:30); Kyle Rish (0:41) and Kolby (4:30). Picking up forfeit wins were Nicolas, Nolan Muellner (120 lbs) and DeWall.
Hornets up Next
The Bulldogs won’t have to wait long to face their Hwy. 10 rivals, as they travel Thursday evening to Big Lake to take on the Hornets. The Patriot will carry complete details the following weekend.
