Spartans Split Duals at Hutch
The Spartan wrestling team traveled to Hutchinson Thursday to dual the Tigers and Sibley East High School. In the first dual against the host team, Orono dropped the first 4 weight classes before Gustavo Cano-Garnica earned a 3rd period fall to put team points on the board. Losing 5-1 early in the 2nd period, Cano-Garnica tied the score with a takedown and near fall points. The 3rd period fall was a result of another headlock throw to his opponent’s back. Senior Henry Beck was up next at 138 and earned an 18-7 major decision over Card Tate with 9 takedowns in the match. Hutch proved too much for the Spartans as the only other Orono win came from Danny Striggow at 220. Striggow, currently ranked #5 at AA 220 defeated #7 ranked Cody Kurth by major decision 9-1. The final score was 14-56.
In the 2nd dual of the evening, Orono came away with the win 51-27. Both 7th grader Mason Pankonin and Senior Captain Henry Beck (138) wrestled against top ranked opponents in Class A. Pankonin lasted until the third period before being pinned while Beck gave up a close 7-4 decision. The shorthanded Sibley East team left 5 weight classes open. Earning wins for Orono were Jacob Schmid (145) with a 3rd period pin, Noah Arneson (152) and Johnny Harstad (182) with 1st period falls, and David Wilfert (195) with an 8-3 decision. Gustavo Cano-Garnica (132), Luke Saunders, (160), Nick Simafranca (170), Rada Alsaabiri (220), and Shea Albrecht (285) all accepted forfeits in the win.
The team will have a busy week hosting Waconia and Minneapolis South on Thursday. They will then travel Friday and Saturday to the 24-team East Ridge Varsity/JV Invitational Tournament.
