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| Brayden Chapman finished 2-0 in Section 2AAA team tournament (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
The sixth-seeded Tigers took advantage of seven forfeits to score 42 points in cruising by Chaska 57-21 in the opening round before falling 46-25 to host Lakeville North in the quarterfinals.
The 15 points on the mat came from pins by Chris McCue and Joe Hoeve and a three-point decision by Sam Kealy.
The outlook seemed bright early for the Tigers against North with Taylor Venz and Jamin LeDuc scoring decisions and Matt Rustad adding a fall for a quick 12-4 lead.
Later on, Brayden Chapman won by decision; Kyle Benjamin added a major decision and Joe Hoeve won by fall but North dominated the upper weights to pull away late.
"We couldn't stay off our backs," coach Chad Olson said. "We lost eight matches and seven were by fall. You can't compete against good teams when you give up bonus points."
Venz, LeDuc, Benjamin,Chapman and Hoeve all finished a perfect 2-0 at Friday night's meet.
Olson said he and his grapplers have now turned their full attention to next Friday's Section 2AAA individual tournament at Shakopee. The winners and runner-ups from that meet advance to the Class 3A state meet the following week in St. Paul.
Olson wouldn't say who the favorites to make the state field might be, only that several of his troops should be in the mix. Venz (35-2) and LeDuc (28-1) will no doubt go in with high expectations.
"Each wrestler has shared his goals/expectations with their coach," he said. "We are working to make sure they reach them."
