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It was an active final week of the season for the Chisago Lakes wrestling team.

Facing four quality teams, the Wildcats 1-3, giving them an idea of what the sections are going to be like when they begin on Friday.

Chisago started the week off last Wednesday with matches against Mounds View and Irondale.

Both were close. Against Mounds View, the Wildcats and Mustangs went back and forth early. Chisago actually won four straight matches from 119-135, taking a 12-11 lead before Mounds View answered back. The Mustangs went on to win the next three, re-taking the lead. The ‘Cats got as close as 26-20 on the heels of wins by Chad Stenson and Luke Anderson, but Mounds View won the final two matches to wrap up a 36-20 victory. For Chisago, along with Anderson and Stenson, Mitch Anderson, Brian Jones, John Hogie and Kelby Kowalenko all picked up wins.

“It was a close match the whole way. We had a shot at the end but things just didn’t go our way,” said Shawn Frederixon, Chisago Lakes head wrestling coach. “Brian Jones really wrestled a tough match, his guy took him down a couple times so he had to fight back. There were a lot of guys out their doing their job, we just didn’t come out with the win.”

They did come out with the win versus Irondale however, and in the process, Brian Jones became the second Chisago Lakes wrestler to pick up 100 career wins in as many weeks (Luke Anderson won his 100th last week versus North Branch.)

“He just stepped on the mat and did what he does,” remembered Frederixon. “When we won, he just walked off the mat and started cheering on his teammates. It was all business for him like it usually is.”

Jones won easily at 125 pounds, defeating Darren Pawlitschek by decision 12-1. That win pushed the Wildcats lead to 13-6. Irondale actually fought back to take the lead six weight classes later, jumping in front 29-16 before the ‘Cats heavyweights pulled off a heavy comeback. Luke Anderson started it with a major decision win at 171 pounds. Adam Gemuenden and Troy Montague then followed with pins, the last of which gave Chisago back the lead 32-29. With one match left, Tony Gall added six more points with a forfeit win at the heavyweight division, securing a 38-29 win.

“We gave our guys a chance at the end. Troy clinched the win with a big pin, he put us ahead for good with that,” replied Frederixon. “We won the last four matches to seal it but those top guys helped set it up. It was a total team win.”

And it was their last win of the regular season. Last Thursday, the Wildcats faced their final two opponents in Milaca and Cambridge-Isanti and limped away with losses.

Truthfully, the ‘Cats were out-matched in both. Versus Milaca, Adam Gemuenden picked up the only Chisago win at 189 pounds. Otherwise it was all Milaca as the Wolves cruised to a 64-3 win.

Next up was Cambridge-Isanti and the result was the same. This time, Brian Jones and Bobby Ferrier won the only matches, giving the Wildcats 12 points to the Bluejackets 57. The loss dropped the Wildcats final regular season record to 17-19.

Up next is the first round of the section team tournament. Handed the number nine seed, the ‘Cats will get rival North Branch in the first round. The Vikings narrowly defeated Chisago two weeks ago.

“I think it’s going to be a good match,” replied Frederixon. “I think they have the edge, they beat us before. We have to do some work to turn that around but the kids are excited and everyone is really looking forward to it.”

The section team tournament will be held in Grand Rapids. The Wildcats and Vikings are set to wrestle at 5 pm on Friday. The winner advances to face top-seeded St. Francis in the second round.

Mounds View 39

Chisago Lakes 20

103- Bettcher lost by dec.

112- MV won by forfeit

119- M. Anderson won by dec.

125- Jones won by dec.

130- Hogie won by dec.

135- Kowalenko won by dec.

140- Ferrier lost by fall

145- D. Gemuenden lost by fall

152- Welle lost by dec.

160- Stenson won by tech fall

171- Anderson won by dec.

189- A. Gemuenden lost by dec.

215- Montague lost by fall

Hwt- Gall lost by dec.

Chisago Lakes 38

Irondale 29

103- Bettcher won by fall

112- Irondale won by forfeit

119- M. Anderson won by dec.

125- Jones won by dec.

130- Hogie lost by dec.

135- Kowalenko won by dec.

140- Ferrier lost by fall

145- D. Gemuenden lost by dec.

152- Stenson lost by dec.

160- Welle lost by fall

171- Anderson won by dec.

189- A. Gemuenden won by fall

215- Montague won by fall

Hwt- Gall won by forfeit

Milaca 64

Chisago Lakes 3

103- Michaelson lost by dec.

112- Milaca won by forfeit

119- M. Anderson lost by dec.

125- Jones lost by fall

130- Hogie lost by tech fall

135- Kowalenko lost by tech fall

140- Ferrier lost by dec.

145- D. Gemuenden lost by dec.

152- Welle lost by fall

160- Stenson lost by dec.

171- Ford lost by fall

189- A. Gemuenden won by dec.

215- Milaca won by forfeit

Hwt- Milaca won by forfeit

Cambridge-Isanti 57

Chisago Lakes 12

103- Michaelson lost by tech fall

112- CI won by forfeit

119- M. Anderson lost by dec.

125- Jones won by fall

130- Hogie lost by dec.

135- Kowalenko lost by dec.

140- Ferrier won by forfeit

145- CI won by forfeit

152- Stenson lost by dec.

160- Anderson lost by dec.

171- Ford lost by fall

189- A. Gemuenden lost by fall

215- CI won by forfeit

Hwt- CI won by forfeit

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