(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Farmington brought a skeleton crew and finished 10th among 11 teams in the Lightning Invitational held Saturday, Jan. 22 at Eastview High School in Apple Valley.
Senior Carl Elmer was the only one of the seven Tiger grapplers in the varsity division of the tournament who earned a place in the meet, taking second in the 140 lbs. weight class.
Elmer pinned Colin Busho of Rosemount in the opening round and then scored a 4-0 decision over Frank Cramer of Maple Grove to reach the title match against Jake Siegle of Scott West, the third-rated Class AA 140-pounder in Minnesota.
Elmer gave Siegle a good run, eventually losing an 8-6 decision in overtime.
"Carl wrestled well in the finals and had a great shot to win in overtime," coach Chad Olson said. "He has wrestled some very good competition all year and that should help come tourney time."
The 2-1 tournament showing leaves Elmer, rated sixth in the most recent Class AAA 145 lbs. rankings, with a season mark of 20-6.
Matt Rustad (112 lbs.), Conner Phu (119), Alex LaVictoire (130), Tyler Beckett (160) and Tyler Engel (171) were the other Tiger entrants in the Eastview meet.
