(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Farmington had its dual-meet winning streak ended at five in a 40-26 loss to Park of Cottage Grove in the opening round and went on the finish seventh at the annual Tiger Duals tournament held Saturday, Jan. 7, at FHS.
The Tigers fell 45-25 to Lake City in the consolation semifinals before bouncing back to defeat Missota Conference rival Northfield 40-21 in the seventh place match.
The Tigers started strong against Park, building a 20-0 lead on a fall by Taylor Venz (106), a technical fall by Kyle Benjamin (120), a decision by John Walz (126) and a six-point forfeit.
But from there on, the home team could only post two more wins, three-point decisions by Joe Hoeve (160) and Bret Hoffman (285).
Farmington again jumped out to an early lead against Lake City with pins by Joey Liden (126) and Jake Rudeen (138) along with a major decision by Jacob Gabbard (113) and a decision by Venz leading to an early 19-12 lead.
Lake City closed with seven wins in eight bouts with the only Tiger points coming on a first period fall by Dakoda Louis-Dupay in the 220 lbs. bout.
In the seventh place match the Tigers led 28-21 with two matches to go before Louis-Dupay and and Hoffman scored six-point falls to give their team some breathing room.
Earlier winners included Jarnin LeDuc (106); Gabbard; Liden; Ridge Raddatz (152); Hoeve and Joey Herrera (170).
"We did not wrestle our best in the first two rounds," coach Chad Olson said, "but we responded well against Northfield. We had a number of individuals who had great days."
Venz, (17-3), Gabbard and Liden went unbeaten in the meet for the Tigers. Hoeve, Louis-Dupay and Hoffman each finished 2-1.
This Thursday, Jan. 12, the Tigers play host to Northfield and Rochester Century in a triangular at FHS.
