February 13, 2023
The Algona boys wrestling team qualified seven individuals for this week’s state tournament at the class 2A district meet in Estherville on Saturday. Algona crowned six champions and had one runner up on the day as the Bulldogs brought home the district title. Head Coach Nick Kuecker says the entire team competed well on Saturday.
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Algona won five straight weight classes from 113 through 138, as Jake Zabka (113), Isaac Wilson (120), Barrett Morgan (126), Taevyn Zinnel (132), and Tate Slagle (138), all claimed district titles.
Zabka got a takedown in overtime to defeat Ryan Bahnson of West Lyon in the finals at 113 by a score of 9-7.
Wilson defeated Dylan Jones of Okoboji for the 3rd time this season, this time by a Major Decision of 13-3 to take 1st at 120.
Morgan lead 9-2 in the 2nd period when he pinned Wes Martin of Estherville in the finals at 126.
Zinnel led Gage Blauwet of West Lyon 6-3 in the 2nd period when he secured a fall to take 1st at 132, and Slagle won by Techincal Fall (15-0) over Brennan Bashke of Okoboji in the finals at 138. Kuecker says they knew coming in that these wrestlers stood a good chance of making it through to state.
Kuecker says they knew coming in that these wrestlers stood a good chance of making it to state.
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Ashton Moreno had to survive a wrestle-back at 145, as Kuecker says he got a bit unlucky after his semifinal victory.
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Moreno won a 5-4 match against Bennet Duitsman of ELC to secure his spot at state. Cohen Reffer finished 1st at 285, avenging a loss to Estherville in the semifinals before earning a fall in the finals.
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The seven wrestlers head to the state tournament, now a four day long event. Kuecker says that will alter their preparations slightly.
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You will hear live coverage from Wells Fargo Arena beginning Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 P.M. on KLGZ 98.5 FM/AM 1600.
Over in class 1A, North Union placed 5th in district 5 at Lake Mills, as Nashua-Plainfield claimed the district title. The Warriors were not able to push any wrestlers through to the class 1A state meet, with several near misses. Landon Price (120) and Brennan Bollinger (220) both placed 3rd, while Ethan Preston (106), Kaleb Lufkin (195), and Kolton Walter (285) finished 4th.
In district 7 at Ogden, West Bend-Mallard finished 5th, as Emmetsburg won the team title. The Wolverines also had a handful of wrestlers narrowly miss qualifying for 1A state. Mason Knapp (106), Garrett Fehr (152), Logan Grimm (160), Ben Massner (170), and Ethan Zaugg (195) all finished 3rd, while Lucas Fehr (132) placed 4th
