The Bulldog wrestling team managed a referee’s decision victory over Little Falls in their triangular tournament at home Friday.

 

The teams tied 33-33 in the meet, but were awarded the victory on account of their advantage in pinfall victories.

 

Becker had managed a 30-11 advantage after Logan Jurek, at 160, pinned Francis Houdek. But then the Flyers came roaring back. Connor Eickhoff, Reid Tripp and Nick Goth all fell by pinfall, and it was a slim 30-29 margin.

 

Nick Goth then suffered a 12-2 decision to Luke Venske and the Flyers had the advantage.

 

That left the final business up to Nick Radunz, who was all over his man for several near-falls and a 9-3 decision, but not the major decision which would have won the match.

 

That left it up to the referees, who decided for the Bulldogs on criteria.

 

 Ethan Anderson and Tyson Rick opened the match at 106 and 113 with forfeit victories, then Adam Jurek decisioned his man, Kole Kern, for a 12-0 match lead. Kylen Rish decisioned his opponent, 6-5 at 132 and the lead grew to 21-3.

 

Kevin Andres got a third period takedown for a 4-3 decision over Dakota Kern, then Jacob Berning lost a 12-2 decision at 152, getting the Flyers back to 24-11 in the match.

 

Logan Jurek got six points for the Bulldogs with a 4:56 pinfall win over Houdek to stretch the lead back to 30-11. 

 

The victory gave the Bulldogs a 3-1 record in Granite Ridge Conference action.

 

The Bulldogs matched up with Delano, a state-rated team, in their triangular Friday, losing 54-9.

 

Blake Paulson got a forfeit win at 145 and Connor Eickhoff beat Eric Rasmussen at 160, 4-2, for Becker’s points.

 

“This past week we faced some of the best teams in the state in Class AA - Foley, Totino-Grace and Delano. All are ranked 12th or higher in the state,” said Coach Matt Aho.

 

“Though some of the duals didn’t go our way, our guys fought hard and battled with the best.”

 

Totino-Grace faced off against Becker last Thursday in a triangular at Foley.

 

Ethan Anderson at 106 defeated Michael Loger via 1:15 pinfall; Paulson beat Andy Paguay, 3-2 at 145; Connor Eichoff beat Jacob Ranning 6-4 at 170, Lincoln Carlson pinned Bear Bouwamann in 1:25 at 182 and Nick Radunz pinned Mitch Fox at 1:45 at 285 for Becker’s points.

 

Foley, rated eighth in the state, got 13 wins in 14 matches with the Bulldogs.

 

Lone winner for Becker was Eickhoff with a 2:52 pinfall win over Alex Moulzolf of Foley.

 

Bulldog wrestlers had several other close matches, with Ethan Anderson losing by an 8-6 margin at 106, Lukas Paulson losing by 5-3 decision at 126 and Radunz losing by a 1-0 score at 285.

 

Becker is 8-4 in dual meets this year.