It will be a different year for wrestling teams. Seasons usually are some combination of duals, weekend duals, and weekend individual tourneys. This year, nearly every event is a triangular. Chatfield wrestling had two meets the week of January 18. And despite some off-season drama, and a new head coach (Matt Mauseth), the #11 Gophers are off to a strong start. On Thursday, Chatfield beat Westfield 62-16 and Medford 63-13. Versus the Hayfield/BP share, Gage Bartels (106), Thad Evans (145), and Campbell Berge (195) had pins, Ben Carrier (113 > 18-0) a tech fall, and Carson Rowland (120 > 7-3) a decision win. Cody Guenther (132), Kail Schott (138), Tate Karver (160), Seth Goetzinger (170), Grady Schott (182), and Caden Nolte (285) won by forfeit. Only eight weights were wrestled. Chatfield took six by forfeit. Versus Medford, Chatfield lost the first two matches to trail 7-0, but fell only once more. The Gophers posted five pins from 160 to 285. K-Schott (145), T-Karver (160), Goetzinger (170), G-Schott (182), Berge (195), and Nolte (285) won by fall. Rowland (126 > 14-7) won by decision. Ryan House (120), Guenther (132), Lukas Carrier (138), and Miles Mulhern (220) won by forfeit. Berge worked just over one period for his two pins. Mauseth’s group then hosted Kenyon-Wanamingo and Triton. The Gophers never trailed versus the Class A Lean and Mean Knights. Through 160, Chatfield’s lead was a modest 26-15. But back-to-back pins by Goetzinger (170) and G-Schott (182), then another from Berge (220), led to a 44-27 victory. Guenther (132) also scored by fall. G-Bartels (106 > 12-3) and T-Karver (160 > 13-1) won major decisions, Carrier (113 > 5-4) and Evans (152 > 9-7) by decision. Rowland (126) won the only forfeit. Versus the Triton, Rowland (120), Nathan Allen (126), Guenther (132), Evans (152), and Goetzinger (170) all scored first period pins. T-Karver also won by fall. L-Carrier (138 > 21-6) and G-Schott (182 > 17-0) scored tech falls. Bartels (106), B-Carrier (113), K-Schott (145), Berge (195), and Mulhern (220) won by forfeit. The Goph’s won 76-6. Guenther’s two pins took 74 seconds. Chatfield (#11 in Class A) improved to 5-0. Rowland, Guenther, T-Karver (#8 at 152), Goetzinger (#4 at 160), G-Schott (#8 at 170), and Berge went 4-0 on the week. Goetzinger and Berge had three pins.
Trojan Boys Win Two TRC Road Games, Start 3-0
There was a time when winning a pair of TRC boys basketball games was common place for Rushford-Peterson. Last year was not that time, as the Trojans went 5-11 in league. R-P is more seasoned this year. As so, they are off to a 3-0 overall start including winning their first two TRC contests. The Trojans won at D-E 63-52. The free throw line was a key, as R-P was plus-11 at the stripe, hitting 22 of 29 (75.9%) to the Eagles 11 of 20 (55%). Justin Ruberg, a 6’3” junior forward, was another key, as he had a big game (23 pts, 8-12 FGs, 7-10 FTs, 13 rebs). Luke O’Hare (12 pts, 8 rebs), Malachi Bunke (7 pts, 4-4 FTs, 4 rebs, 4 stls), Trey Olson (8 pts), and Grady Hengel (7 pts, 5-6 FTs, 5 asts) helped. Chris Drinkall’s bunch then beat W-K 60-35. Team green didn’t shoot the ball very well anywhere, but they racked up 17 steals with their defense (compared to 10 offensive TOs). Ruberg (18 pts, 8-11 FGs, 5 rebs) led the offense. O’Hare (10 pts, 4-6 FGs, 8 stls) neared a point-steal double-double. Hoiness (8 pts) and Olson (7 pts) were next high scorers. Last year, the Trojans fell to the Falcons in the regular season, and it took OT to get a play-off redemption. R-P (2-0, 3-0) is unblemished through three games.
Geiwitz and Company Guide Houston to 3-0
They are the three-time defending SEC-East girls champs, and the team in that division with the most returning key players. It is not a huge surprise Houston’s girls have won their first three games. The first full week of the season saw Dale Moga’s group notch two more SEC wins. At home versus Randolph, team double-H rode its two All-SEC picks, senior Emma Geiwitz (23 pts, 10-20 FGs, 3-8 threes, 10 rebs, 5 asts, 5 stls) and sophomore Sydney Torgerson (17 pts, 5-10 FGs, 7-8 FTs, 12 rebs, 4 stls), to a 58-46 victory. Amidst those double-doubles, they shot 50% combined (15-30). Priya Kingsley (7 pts, 5 rebs, 3 asts) and Becca Rostad (6 pts, 4-5 FTs, 5 rebs) provided help. Houston led 23-18 at half. Randolph was plus-12 points from distance (made eight threes of Houston four). A couple nights later, Mabel-Canton came to town. Last time the Cougars went to Houston, it was 33-3 at the half. This year was closer, but the ‘Canes were still better, 52-37. Geiwitz was the difference, authoring a second double-double (22 pts, 10-19 FGs, 7 rebs, 4 asts, 10 stls). Torgerson (11 pts, 11 rebs), Kingsley (9 pts, 3 stls), and Rostad (6 pts, 5 rebs, 3 asts, 5 stls) helped. Houston, for a second time this season, had 20-plus steals. Geiwitz has topped 20 points in all three of Houston’s games. MaKenzie Kelly (10 pts, 4-5 FTs), Camryn Cox (8 pts, 3-5 FGs), Kinley Soiney (8 pts, 6 rebs), Lauren Wyffels (7 pts, 5-7 FTs, 6 rebs), Jordyn Newgard (4 pts, 7 rebs, 4 asts, 3 stls) gave M-C good balance. Houston is 3-0, 3-0. M-C fell to 1-2, 1-2.
Lion Boys Lone Unbeaten in SEC East
After having their string of nine straight East Division crowns end last winter, the Spring Grove boys are back atop the loop standings – the only East Division squad without a loss after dominating both M-C and defending champion Schaeffer. SG felled the Cougars 57-31 to start the week. Caden Grinde (18 pts, 3-9 threes, 5 asts, 8 stls) led the way with help from Tysen Grinde (10 pts), Elijah Solum (8 pts, 5 rebs, 4 asts), and Carson Gerard (4 pts, 6 rebs, 6 stls). The Lions lifted 25 steals while committing only eight defensive fouls. The Cougars shot well enough to win (40% to SG’s 36%), but with 36 turnovers, were not able to shoot enough (35 attempts) against a suffocating SG defense. The Lions final 26-point margin was determined with strong starts in both halves. Grove scored the game’s first 11 points and then opened the second half 16-3. The home team led 28-18 at halftime. Gavin Johnson (12 pts, 6-7 FGs, 10 rebs) led the Cougars. Wade Grinde’s Lions then felled S.A. 67-28. The middle Grinde (26 pts, 4 rebs, 5 asts, 6 stls) again keyed the attack, helped by brother Tysen (14 pts), Gerard (11 pts, 6 rebs), and Solum (11 pts, 4 ats). Caden had 26 points, S.A. 28. While the big-city Lions had no defensive answer for Grinde, they also had 23 turnovers versus the SG defense. Grinde had six of the 11 SG steals. While Schaeffer (2-1, 2-1 SEC) shot a respectable 41%, SG blistered the nets with 64% accuracy, its best percentage in 36 games. Dribble penetration (21 points) and a hot 46% (6 for 13) from 3-point land kept SG in control, including a 33-7 start and commanding 36-14 halftime lead. The Lions, ranked #9 in A, improved to 3-0, 3-0.
Bulldog Wrestling
Rallies, Wins Four
It was a tough start to the season. Defending Section 1A team wrestling champion GMLOS lost its first two duals to start 0-2. But both losses were to quality Class AA programs. Week two of the Bulldogs season was more fruitful. Randy Smith’s group went 4-0. At Winona, GMLOS took out Winona/Winona Cotter 69-6 and Albert Lea 49-22. Versus WWC, team GM took ten by forfeit; Cole Sheely (106), Aiden Quintana (113), James Jacobsen (120), Cohen Wiste (126), Braxton Wiste (132), Donavon Felten (145), Daniel Smith (160), Christian Jacobsen (170), Cameron Sneed (195), and Christian Luthe (285). Rece Voigt (152) won by fall, Noah Sayles (182 > 9-3) by decision. Versus the Tigers, the Bulldogs spotted the Albert Lea a 10-0 lead after 113. GMLOS then won six of the next seven, but the first three were by decision. Albert Lea led 16-15 after 145. The match was close after 170 with the GMLOS leading 25-21. They then won the final four weights all by fall to shore up the “W.” Felten (145), Voigt (152), C-Jacobsen (182), Sayles (195), Sneed (220), and Luthe (285) had pins, Smith (160 > 12-4) a major decision, J-Jacobsen (120 > 4-0), C-Wiste (126 > 5-1), and B-Wiste (132 > 8-6) decision wins. Four of the Bulldogs six pins came in the first period. Team GM then went to Caledonia to take on two typically strong TRC foes, Caledonia/Houston and PEM. Versus the “other” Bulldogs, GMLOS won six of the first eight matches to lead 30-12. They never lost back-to-back bouts in a 48-18 win. Quintana (113), J-Jacobsen (120), B-Wiste (132), Felten (145), Sayles (182), and Luthe (285) had pins. C-Wiste (126) won by forfeit. Voigt (152 > 7-3) and C-Jacobsen (170 > 12-6) had decision wins. The match with the Cal/Hou had six lead changes through 145-pounds. It took until Christian Jacobsen’s pin at 170 for either team to go up double-digits (33-19 GMLOS). That win was one of six in a row for the Bulldogs (145 through 195). Forfeit wins at 182 (Sayles) and 195 (Sneed) put GM up 45-19, clinching the match. They prevailed 45-31. Quintana (113), C-Wiste (126), and Voigt (152) also won by fall, Felten (145) also by forfeit. Smith (160 > 6-2) won by decision. Ranked #5 in Class A, GMLOS improved to 4-2. C-Wiste, Felten (#6 at 145), Voigt (#2 at 152), C-Jacobsen (#5 at 170), and Sayles (#2 at 182) all went 4-0, Voigt with three pins. Anthony Romero (#1 at 106), Lucas Winfield (#5 at 138), Smith (#3 at 16), and Sneed (#6 at 195) are also ranked in state.
GM Boys Win
Third Straight,
Hold L-O to 12 Points
Grand Meadow boys’ basketball started the year with two toughies. They first hosted well-coached East power Spring Grove and fell 45-41. A night later, Dakotah Rostad’s group posted a huge win over 2020 section semifinalist Hayfield, 59-57. The week of January 18 proved much easier than those two nail-biters. The Larks handled a pair of SEC neighbors to run its win streak to three. On Monday, GM beat Kingsland 74-50. A trio of Super guys got to double figures, Colt Landers (15 pts, 6-10 FGS, 3-5 threes, 7 rebs, 4 asts), Evan Oehlke (15 pts, 7-11 FGs, 7 rebs), and Taylor Glynn (11 pts, 5-6 FGs, 4 asts). Ben Kraft (9 pts, 4-7 FGs, 4 asts) and Kam Bacon (9 pts, 4-4 FTs) came close. GM shot 51.8% (29-56) including hitting 7 of 19 threes (37%) plus 9 of 12 free throws (75%). The Knights were led by Walker Erdman (13 pts, 4 rebs, 4 stls) and Mason Kolling (12 pts). Three night later, GM trekked to LeRoy. In an eye-popper, the Larks beat the Cardinals 59-12. L-O had just two second half points. They shot 3 of 35 from the field. Kraft had 18 points (8-11 FGs) to lead GM. He was the only Lark in double figures. Ten of 12 GM players scored. Oehlke and Landers each added 8. Glynn had 7 (pts) and 6 (rebs). Isaac Collier had 6 (pts) and 6 (rebs) to lead L-O. GM improved to 2-1, 3-1 overall. L-O fell to 0-3, 0-3.
Hot Shots
Kingsland girls beat GM 45-30 in a key early season contest of last year’s top SEC-West teams. The Knights went 2-0 on the week to improve to 2-0 (SEC), 2-1 (overall). River Landers had 23 points to lead GM past L-O 57-23. Freshman Kammry Broadwater had a huge week (averaged 16 pts, 12.5 rebs, 6 asts, 4 stls), as FC’s girls (1-1, 2-1) fell to SC in OT 83-82 and beat L-A 67-48. Brielle Ruen had a career-high 22 points as Lanesboro beat Schaeffer 58-29. Walker Erdman (25 pts, 8 rebs, 6 asts) led Kingsland’s boys over G-E 79-47. SC’s Kooper Vaughn scored 63 points in a 91-77 win over FC. Zach Haugerud (25 pts) and Jake Fishbaugher (21 pts, 15 rebs) led the Falcons. Reid Johnson had 24 points, but Chatfield fell to Caledonia 94-70. Ryan Holmen’s late three (1:50) catapulted Lanesboro over Randolph 49-47. LARP wrestling dropped a super close 41-39 dual to PEM, as the Bulldogs won three of the last four weights.
Boys Basketball
(1/18 – 1/22)
LeRoy-Ostrander 37, Southland 74 (LO: Tanner Olson 11 pts, 5 rebs; Levi Royston 9 pts)
Lanesboro 38, Schaeffer Academy 59 (L: R. Holmen 12 pts (5-9 FGs); J.T. Rein 9 pts, 6 rebs. Burros 1-15 on threes)
Houston 34, Randolph 84 (H: Noah Kingsley 17 pts (5-14 threes), 6 rebs, 4 asts)
Fillmore Central 77, #8 in AA St. Charles 91 (FC: Z. Haugerud 25 pts (9-16 FGs, 5-10 threes), 5 rebs; J. Fishbaugher 21 pts, 15 rebs; Will Parker 14 pts (6-12 FGs), 10 rebs; Trevor Hershberger 10 pts. SC: K. Vaughn 63 pts (17-37 FGs, 11-26 threes, 18-19 FTs). A 26-3 Saint first half run turned a 22-19 deficit into a 45-25 lead. Falcons got to 74-66 (5:34). FC is 0-1, 1-1)
#3 in AA Caledonia 94, Chatfield 70 (Ch: R. Johnson 24 pts (10-19 FGs), 10 rebs, 4 asts, 3 stls; Cole Johnson 10 pts (4-8 FGs), 4 asts; Drew Schindler 7 pts (5-6 FTs), 4 rebs, 4 asts; Ben Fretland 8 pts, 5 rebs. Gophers were 4-18 threes, 14-30 FTs)
Randolph 47, Lanesboro 49 (L: Sawyer Johnson 14 pts (4-9 threes), 6 rebs; R. Holmen 12 pts (5-10 FGs, 2-2 threes); J.T. Rein 4 pts, 4 rebs, 5 asts, 4 blks. Burros trailed 31-19 in second half, rallied with 10-0 run to close to 31-29. Holmen hit a three with under 2:00 that proved the game winner. Three nights after shooting 1-15 from three, Burros go 8-22. They are 1-1, 1-2)
Kingsland 79, Glenville-Emmons 47 (K: W. Erdman 25 pts (10-19 FGs, 4-5 FTs), 8 rebs, 6 asts, 3 stls; Mason Kolling 18 pts, 6 rebs; Jayden Brink 10 pts; Kaden Rath 4 pts, 5 asts, 6 stls. Knights went 12-16 at the free throw line. They are 1-1, 1-2)
Houston 36, M-C 63 (M-C: Cayden Tollefsrud 18 pts (7-11 FGs), 7 rebs, 4 asts, 6 stls; G. Johnson 13 pts (6-12 FGs), 12 rebs, 4 stls; Jordan Larson/Jaymeson Tollefsrud 7 pts. H: N. Kingsley 17 pts (4-10 threes), 7 rebs; Zach Olson 7 pts. Cougars made more FGs (25) and more threes (6) than their first two games combined (22 & 5). M-C is 1-2, 1-2. Houston is 0-3, 0-3)
Pine Island 36, Chatfield 41 (R. Johnson 11 pts; C. Johnson 10 pts, 4 rebs; Henry Gathje 7 pts, 4 rebs. A few nights after going up-tempo with Caledonia, Gophers beat Panthers in slow-it-down-game. Chatfield is 0-1, 1-1)
Girls Basketball
(1/18 – 1/22)
Kingsland 45, GM 30 (K: Emily Miner 10 pts; Sam Wernimont 8 pts; Ellie Buchholtz 7 pts (3-6 FGs), 7 rebs, 6 stls; Anika Reiland 6 pts (3-3 FGs), 5 rebs, 5 stls. GM: Kendyl Queensland 11 pts, 5 rebs; Lexy Foster 4 pts, 9 rebs, 5 stls. GM led 8-3 early, but watched Kingsland score 19 unanswered points to lead 22-8. Steve Hauser’s group led the rest of the way)
Southland 47, L-O 39 (L-O: Kelly Hanson 9 pts (4-7 FGs), 7 rebs; Benita Nolt 8 pts, 11 rebs, 4 stls; Gracie O’Byrne 6 pts, 11 rebs, 4 stls)
SG 31, M-C 34 (M-C: Lauren Wyffels 10 pts, 9 rebs; Jordyn Newgard 6 pts, 7 rebs; Thea Snyder 7 pts; Kinley Soiney 5 pts, 9 rebs. SG: Jordian Leahy 10 pts, 5 stls; Addyson McHugh 7 pts, 9 rebs; Emerson Ingvalson 7 pts. Cougars led by as many as 10 in the second half. Lions pulled even (3:30), but didn’t score again. M-C went 3 of 8 on FTs down stretch for winning-margin)
Schaeffer Academy 29, Lanesboro 58 (L: B. Ruen career-high 22 pts (4-10 threes), 5 rebs; Jessie Schreiber 9 pts, 13 rebs, 7 asts; Sydney Taylor 8 pts, 7 rebs; Malia Tessum 9 pts, 5 stls)
D-E 60, R-P 20 (RP: Kaylee Ruberg 9 pts; Alora Wilkemeyer 6 pts, 5 rebs. R-P is 0-1, 1-1)
St. Charles 83, FC 82 in OT (FC: K. Broadwater 17 pts, 10 rebs, 7 asts; Regan Hanson 12 pts (6-10 FGs); Maddie Krage 10 pts (5-10 FGs), 15 rebs; Hope Sexton 10 pts (4-5 FGs); Courtney Hershberger 8 pts, 5 rebs)
Chatfield 42, Caledonia 61 (Ch: Jaiden Zimmerman 17 pts (6-12 FGs, 5-9 FTs); Sydney Allen 8 pts; Peyton Berg 2 pts, 10 rebs, 3 asts; Paige Erickson 5 pts, 9 rebs, 3 asts. Gophers were 0-14 from three. They are 0-1, 0-1)
L-O 23, GM 57 (GM: R. Landers 23 pts (11-20 FGs), 7 rebs; L. Foster 10 pts, 7 rebs; K. Queensland 8 pts, 7 rebs. L-O: Jordan Runde 7 pts, 6 stls. GM improved to 2-1, 2-2. L-O fell to 1-2, 1-2)
Z-M 29, Kingsland 65 (K: S. Wernimont 18 pts (7-13 FGs, 4-7 threes); E. Buchholtz 11 pts, 12 rebs, 4 asts; Merredith Farlinger 9 pts (4-7 FGs); Shelby Beck 7 pts, 7 rebs; A. Reiland 4 pts, 5 rebs, 3 asts, 7 stls. FTs: K 18-27, Z-M 3-4)
SG 47, S.A. 39 (SG: A. McHugh 14 pts, 9 rebs, 6 asts; J. Leahy 11 pts, 5 asts; E. Ingvalson 11 pts; Katelyn Kraus 8 pts, 12 rebs, 3 asts. The 11th lead change saw SG go ahead with 2:16 left. They scored the final nine to win by eight. SG is 1-3, 1-3 SEC)
Lanesboro 47, Randolph 75 (L: B. Ruen 14 pts (4-13 threes); J. Schreiber 14 pts (6-9 FTs), 6 rebs; Kaci Ruen 11 pts (5-8 FGs), 11 rebs. Rockets were credited with 22 points off 20 Burro turnovers. Burros are 1-1, 1-2)
L-A 48, FC 67 (FC: Alyssa Britton 16 pts (6-6 FGs, 4-6 FTs), 9 rebs; K. Broadwater 15 pts (7-8 FTs), 15 rebs, 5 asts, 5 stls; M. Krage 12 pts, 5 rebs; Lauren Mensink 9 pts (4-8 FGs). Falcons hit 18-29 FTs (entered 9-26 on season))
Wrestling(1/21 – 1/23)
LARP 12, Class A Lean and Mean Kenyon-Wanamingo 63 (LARP got pins from Tyler Kreidemacher (113) and Carter Jonsgaard (126)); LARP 15, #2 in AA Kasson-Mantorville 61 (Kreidemacher (113) and Jordan Zibrowski (120) had pins, Gable Speltz (152 > 6-5) a decision win for LARP)
FCLMC 9, Byron 70 (Kane Larson (106) wrestled out the Wolves’ only win (8-4 decision). Caden Anderson (160) won by forfeit); FCLMC 21, Goodhue 57 (C. Anderson (160) and Devin Troendle (182) had pins for FCLMC, K. Larson (106 > 4-2) and Oliver Hoeltzle (195 > 7-0) decision wins. Wolves are 1-3)
Cannon Falls 19, LARP 57 (Screamin’ Eagles won 126 (C. Jonsgaard), 132 (Quintin Betthauser), 145 (Caleb Mueller), 182 (Brennan Corcoran), 220 (Jacob Meyer), and 285 (Brock Frisik) by forfeit. J. Zibrowski (120), Colin Klug (170), and Tyler Kryzer (195) had pins, Aaron Prinsen (160 > 8-1) a decision win); PEM 41, LARP 39 (S-Eagles took the lead at 120 (12-6) and led through 195 (36-35). PEM posted pins at 182, 195, and 220, turning a 36-23 deficit into a 41-36 lead. LARP won 285, but only by decision for the two-point match. T. Kreidemacher (113), J. Zibrowski (120), C. Jonsgaard (132), G. Speltz (152), and C. Klug (170) had pins for LARP, Q. Betthauser (126) won by forfeit, B. Frisik (285 > 2-1) by decision. LARP is 2-4)
*Fillmore County Journal Sports page is a written collaboration by Paul Trende and Lee Epps.