Wrestling: Big move up at Fargo

Taylor Venz 4th place finisher at 106 lbs.

Last holiday season the Tigers scored 24.5 points and finished in the bottom third of the team standings (52nd out of 64) at the Rumble on the Red in Fargo, North Dakota.

At last week's encore performance at one of the largest and most competitive tournaments in the Upper Midwest they racked up 69 points and place 27th among 66 entrants.

"We had a great tournament," coach Chad Olson said. "We had five guys make the second day. Last year we only had three get that far."

Leading the way for the Tigers was Taylor Venz who placed fourth in the 106-pound division and upped his season record to 17-2.

Both of Venz's losses came to high-ranked opponents. He lost a tough 6-5 decision to the No. 2 wrestler in Nebraska in the semifinals and then dropped another one-pointer (7-6) to Trevor Schultz, the No.1 (Class 2A) 106-pounder in Minnesota, in the third place bout.

Venz, a ninth-grader, posted his 50th career win at the meet.

"Taylor had a great tournament and proved he is capable of wrestling with the best," Olson said.

138-pounder Brayden Chapman entered the tourney with just four wins but finished his two-day stint 3-2.  Jacob Gabbard (113), Joe Hoeve (160) and Godfrey Mpetey (220) each split their four matches

Gabbard's effort was especially impressive as it came in his first mat action of the season. He missed the first part of the year to due to illness and injury.

"Jacob is a welcome addition to our lineup," Olson said.

Jacob Gabbard 2-2 in his 2012-13 debut (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Three other Tigers advanced to the finals of the junior varsity meet with Jamin LeDuc claiming the 106-pound championship with a perfect 6-0 record.

Victor Gliva was runner-up at 95 lbs. and John Walz took second in the 145-pound bracket. Each won five of six matches.

Logan Haakana advanced to the second day of competition at 171 lbs. and finished 3-2.

"The Rumble was a great experience for our team," Olson said. "We are looking forward to next year since we had only one senior wrestle in the tournament this year."

Friday night the Tigers entertain Faribault in a non-conference dual meet. The action starts at 5:30 p.m with a youth dual, followed by the middle school, junior varsity and varsity competitions.

The following day they host their annual Farmington Duals Tournament. The Tigers open the meet against ninth-ranked Lakeville North.