Runner-up at 106 lbs.
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Jacob Gababrd took second in the 106 lbs. division and Joe Hoeve ranked third at 152 lbs. in the Eastiview Invitational held Saturday, Jan. 21.
Hoeve and Gabbard were two of just a handful of varsity regulars who competed in the 12-team tourney. An injury and the state ninth grade tournament in Hastings the same day meant coach Chad Olson had to do a little scrambling to fill out his tournament lineup.
"We didn't have a full lineup and had five junior varsity wrestlers up with us," he said.
Missota Conference power Shakopee won the meet with 210 points. Scott West was runner-up at 196, followed by Rosemount 189, Eastview 143.5, Wayzata 134, Coon Rapids 112.5, Faribault/Faribault Academy 110, Minneapolis South 85.5, Farmington 62.5, River Falls (Wis.) 55, Winona/Winona Cotter 6 and Minneapolis Southwest 3.
Individually, Gabbard (14-3) made it to the finals with a technical fall in the semis over an opponent from Wayzata. He lost a tough 5-2 decision in the finals to the 10th-ranked Class AA wrestler in the state.
Joe Hoeve (17-9)
3rd place at 152 lbs.
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Hoeve lost to the No. 4 Class AA 152-pounder 5-2 in the semifinals before bouncing back to win the third place bout.
"Jacob wrestled really well," Olson said, "and Joe wrestled as well as he has all year."
Two other Tigers found their way to the podium with fifth place finishes, Kelvin O'Brien (who was competing in his first-ever varsity tournament) at 113 lbs. and Chris McCue at 145 lbs.
The ninth grade team had an outstanding day at the state meet, winning four of five matches to claim fifth place. The Tigers defeated Forest Lake 58-19 and Canby 43-12 before falling to St. Francis 43-30 in the quarterfinals. They claimed the consolation title with back-to-back wins over Cambridge-Isanti (39-30) and Centennial (47-29).
"As you can see by who we wrestled, we beat some traditional wrestling powers in Minnesota," Olson said. "I know the wrestlers were really excited by how well they did."
The Tigers hit the mat again Thursday when they host New Prague in a Missota Conference dual. The following night they travel to Faribault for a non-conference match with the Falcons.
