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Zimmerman Quadrangular

In addition to wrestling – and beating – the Chisago Lakes Wildcats at the Zimmerman Quadrangular (reported separately in this week’s Press), the Vikings wrestled two other teams at Zimmerman.  They lost to Delano 50-20, and took the host team, Zimmerman, down to the wire before losing 35-33.  The quad took place Thursday, December 5.

Four Vikings won their individual matches against Delano.  Jack Baker (121) won by tech fall over Carson Rock, Emmitt Hansen (160) won by a 21-6 tech fall over Theo Stewart, Evan Pommier (172) earned a major decision over Zan Kestner, and Aydan Loren (215) pinned Erik Estrada-Nunez at 3:16.

Zimmerman dominated the first half of the dual against the Vikings, leading 29-5 after the first seven of the 13 weight classes.  Ethan Kester (152) finally got things going for the Vikings, winning by tech fall over Julian Juarez.  Emmit Hansen (160) pinned Nolan Wegner to cut the Zimmerman lead to 29-17.   Evan Pommier’s tech fall over Dalton Bryner at 172 made it 29-22.  Parker Deniger (189) won by tech fall over Nathaniel Belair 19-4, pulling the Vikings to within three points of Zimmerman at 29-27.  After Ayden Lore won by forfeit at 215, the Vikings had their first lead of the day at 33-29.  But Carson Stay of Zimmerman pinned Moses Ochoa at 3:36 to give Zimmerman the 35-33 victory.

Don Meyers Fridley Invitational

Two Vikings won their weight classes at the Don Meyers Fridley Invitational, held at Fridley High School on Saturday, December 7.  Jack Baker claimed the championship at 121, and Evan Pommier took the crown at 172.  Other top three finishers for the Vikings included Ethan Kester, second at 152, and Emmit Hansen, third at 160.  Ten of the 12 Vikings who wrestled at the tournament placed, helping the Vikings to finish fourth as a team in the 12-team tournament.

Baker started his road to the top by pinning Brody Reed of Tartan and taking just 1:36 to do it.  In the semifinals, Baker won by a 13-0 major decision over Nichols Nerdahl of Irondale.  In the championship match, Baker pinned Isaiah Maldonado in 4:37 to take first place.

Pommier won three of his four matches on the day by tech fall.  He opened the day with a 15-0 tech fall over Anthony Suedbeck of Irondale.   In the quarterfinals, Pommier needed just 42 seconds to pin Jau Nah Htoo of St. Paul Washington Technology Magnet School.  Pommier won by tech Fall over Matt Bono of North in their semifinal matchup.  And Pommier won the championship by a 16-1 tech fall over Zane Kestner of Delano.

Wrestling Whangdoodles

The Vikings will head to Mora tonight for a triangular with Mora and Milaca that gets underway at 5 p.m.  On Saturday, they will take part in the 14-team Maple Grove Invitational at Maple Grove High School.  The matches get underway at 9 a.m.

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