Wrestling: Tigers a positive 1-2 at Prior Lake

Jamin LeDuc 6-1 for the season

Farmington lost two of three duals at Saturday's Prior Lake Invitational but coach Chad Olson said he was elated by his team's performance.

The Tigers defeated Tri-County United 42-30 and lost to two of the strongest teams in Minnesota, 54-15 to Simley (#1AA) and 39-15 to Prior Lake (#4AAA).

"I am very proud of how the wrestlers competed today," Olson said. "Our dual with Simley took over an hour and a half because a lot of the matches were so close.

"Prior Lake beat us by 43 points last year, so to be tied with them after 10 weights is a huge testament to our improvement."

 Jamie LeDuc (106) and Taylor Venz (113) got their team off to a 9-0 lead against top-rated Simley but the Tigers managed just one more victory in the match, a pin in the 138 lbs. bout by Brayden Chapman.

Venz's win was a dominant technical fall over Cortez Arrendondo, the fourth-ranked Class AA 106-pounder in Minnesota.

The Prior Lake match was tied 15-15 after 10 weights before the Lakers piled up 24 points in the last four matches to pull away.

Venz upped his season record to 5-0 with a with a 4-0 decision at 113 lbs. and Kyle Benjamin scored an impressive victory 5-2 win over Ben Rock, the state's 10th ranked (3A) 132-pounder.Three other Tigers also won three-point decisions: Brayden Chapman (132); Jake Rudeen (152) and Logan Haakana (170).

LeDuc (6-1 for the season), Matt Rustad (132) and Joe Hoeve scored six-point falls in the win over Tri-County United. Hoeve's pin came against Josh Selly, the 10th-rated Class AA wrestler in the state.

Kyle Benjamin defeated 10th ranked wrestler from Prior Lake

Benjamin (138) and Rudeen (152) each added wins by decision and Farmington picked up 18 points by forfeit.

Olson singled out the work of Brian Cervantes who finished 1-2 at 126 lbs. with both defeats coming at the hands of quality opponents.

"He is my wrestler of the day," Olson said. "All good teams have wrestlers who we call grinders. Brian is a grinder. He works hard and when he gets beat he does not give up bonus points which keeps the team in the dual."

The Tigers make their only pre-holiday home appearance Thursday when Eastview and Monticello come to town for a triangular meet.