Gopher Wrestling Moves to 8-1

The last time Chatfield wrestling started the year 8-1, it was 2013-2014.  That 8-1 start became a 27-1 Class A state championship season.  It would be a bit much to expect that much from this year’s Gophers. Section 1A boasts defending Class A champion #1 Z-M (16-4), plus #3 Goodhue (13-3).  But Travis Bartels group is off to a great start.  Caledonia/Houston was the latest victim.  The final was just seven points, but Chatfield led 18-0 five real minutes into the dual.  Seth Goetzinger (106) opened with an early second period pin, Cael Bartels (113) won by forfeit, and Tate Karver (120) got a first period pin.  Grady Schott (126) then authored Chatfield’s second spladle-pin of the night (Goetzinger) to make it 24-0.  After dropping 132 to decision, the Gophers won the next three.  Nathan Goldsmith (138) came back from down 6-2 after two periods to win an 8-7 decision.  Campbell Berge (145) notched a third period pin.  Top ranked Jake Mandt (#1 at 145) moved up a weight (152) and tussled to an 11-6 decision win.  Chatfield led 36-3 with six weights to go.  The Warriors state ranked Zach Schneider took 160 (pin).  Davontae Goldsmith then clinched the match.  His 11-3 major decision (170) made Chatfield’s lead (40-9) insurmountable.  The Warriors won the final four weights (three pins, forfeit) for a 40-33 final.   Chatfield is now 5-0 versus TRC foes (2-0 in the West division).  They’ve also downed GMLOS (48-22), LARP (48-31), W-K (45-30), and D-E (42-23).  At 8-1 on the year, the Gophers have surpassed last year’s win total (7-6).