Jake Rudeen 10-1 decison in 125 lbs. bout
The Tigers led Lakeville South 34-33 with one match remaining but couldn't hang on in a 39-34 non-conference setback Friday night, Feb. 11, in Lakeville.
South moved up Zane Peterson, the state's top-ranked 215-pounder, to the heavyweight slot for the deciding match and he pinned the Tigers' Bret Hoffman to end the match.
"It was by far the best we have wrestled all season," Tiger coach Chad Olson said. "We still had to forfeit two weights due to wrestlers not making weight but we were still able to be competitive. It's a great time to start wrestling well."
Farmington put itself in position to claim the match by winning seven individual bouts.
Carl Elmer pushed his record to 28-7 with a pin at 140 lbs. Kyle Benajamin (103) and Jacob Gabbard (119) also earned six team points, Benjamin by a forfeit and Gabbard on a disqualification.
Jake Rudeen (125) and Chris McCue (130) each won major decisions. Josh Iverson scored a 10-8 overtime decision at 140 lbs. and Tyler Beckett won by a technical fall in the 160 lbs. match.
Next up for the Tiger grapplers are the Section 2AA team championships scheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 19, in Chaska.
