ORONO WRESTLERS COME UP SHORT IN HOME OPENER
The Orono wrestling team came up against two seasoned opponents this past Thursday. In the first dual against conference rival Delano, Orono’s young lower weights were no match for a more experienced Tiger crew losing the first 9 bouts. John McCuskey (170) finally got the Spartans on the board with a 9-6 decision. Orono’s upper weights clawed back with 3 more decisions by Johnny Harstad (182) 5-2, David Wilfert (195) 2-1, and Danny Striggow (220) 1-0. Delano claimed the final weight class at 285 to win the dual 47-12.
In the 2nd dual of the evening, Watertown-Mayer claimed the first 10 weight classes and led by a score of 0-50. Two falls and two forfeits in the last four weight classes closed the team score gap to 24-50. Johnny Harstad (170) recorded a quick 18 second fall while David Wilfert (195) and Danny Striggow (220) accepted forfeits. Shea Albrecht closed out the dual with a 3rd period fall over Dylan Matter at the 4:34 mark.
Junior Captain Striggow was able to pick up his 100th career varsity win during the evening’s competition.
Richfield Dual Meet Tournament
Orono vs. Rochester John Marshall
In the opening dual Saturday, all 14 weights were decided by fall or forfeit. Mason Pankonin (106) started the Spartan scoring effort with a 2nd period pin over Brody Johnson and Blake Ament (113) accepted a forfeit to put the team score at 12-0. Orono gave up a pin at 120 and then returned the favor with Oliver Stevenson gaining a 2nd period fall at 126. Orono lost the next 2 weights to tie the team score 18-18. Jacob Schmid recorded a pin at 145 and Rochester tied the team score again with a pin at 152. Orono finally gained the lead for good by winning the remaining 6 weight classes. Nick Simafranca (160), John McCuskey (170), David Wilfert (195), and Shea Albrecht (285) all recorded 1st period falls while Johnny Harstad (182) and Danny Striggow (220) both accepted forfeits to win the dual 60-24.
Orono vs. Cloquet
The two teams each won 7 matches in the semifinal round. Orono came up short in the end however because Cloquet won all their matches by fall to win the dual 37-42. Winning matches by fall for Orono were Mason Pankonin (106), Nick Simafranca (160), David Wilfert (195), and Danny Striggow (220). Henry Beck (138) won a 11-6 decision to earn 3 team points. Jacob Schmid (145) picked up a 17-5 major decision and 4 team points while Shea Albrecht (285) accepted a forfeit to close out the dual.
Orono vs. Roseville
The Spartans got off to another slow start getting pinned in the first 5 weight classes. Senior Captain Henry Beck (138) finally got the Spartan scoring effort going with 5-1 decision. A pin by Junior Captain Jacob Schmid (145) and a forfeit by Connor Mahoney cut the Roseville scoring margin to 15-30. Senior Captain Nick Simafranca (160) then earned a 11-7 decision and John McCuskey (170) picked up a 14-4 major decision to narrow the team score to 22-30. A major decision loss at 182 put the team score almost out of reach at 22-34. David Wilfert was able to earn a 2-1 triple overtime win at 195. Rada Alsabiiri then accepted a forfeit at 220 to put the team score within striking distance 31-34. Moving up a weight class, Danny Striggow currently ranked #3 in the state at 220 in AA took to the mat against the current #3 ranked AAA 285 pounder, Will Peterson. Giving up 60 pounds, Striggow thrilled the crowd with a high amplitude take down and near fall points in the 1st period before pinning Peterson in the 2nd period to win the dual 37-34.
Head Coach Joe McPherson remarked after the matches Saturday, “The boys wrestled well today and were able to end up with a 3rd place team finish – great job!! Our message to the boys over the last couple of days has been about attitude and effort – these are 2 themes we will be carrying through the season. I look forward to seeing the boys respond to what we are asking from them and continue to grow throughout the season.”
The Spartans will next wrestle Thursday, December 20 away versus Minnetonka and Chaska.
