KoMet wrestlers beat Bears 57-15

After a long wait, with great uncertainty, the KoMet wrestlers stepped back onto the mat. 

The MSHSL met in October and approved starting winter sports Nov. 30. The winter schedules are to be decreased by 30%. No tournaments, no invitationals. No event larger than a triangular. At that time, the MSHSL declared that there would be no state tournaments. 

As Minnesota started to see a second surge of cases and hospitalizations of COVID-19 in November, Gov. Walz announced an executive order for a “pause” state wide, halting all youth and high school sports. The return of sports was pushed back four weeks from the governor’s pause. That pause would later extend into January. 

The KoMet wrestlers were (finally) able to enter the wrestling room for their first practice on Jan. 4. 

This year’s wrestling season presents many challenges and obstacles. Each team must weigh-in at their home school, as teams cannot be together for weigh-ins. All spectators, wrestlers and coaches must keep their masks on. Wrestlers are allowed to take their masks off only for their match. 

Exposure, by definition from the Minnesota Department of Health, is considered to be greater than 15 minutes. A high school wrestling match is six minutes. If a wrestler exhausts all of their overtime, the match length is 8.5 minutes.

The MSHSL continues to discuss options and possibilities for sections and state. No further decision has been announced at this time. 

“Nothing has changed for us. We still focus only on the things we can control and whatever competition is in front of us. Our guys are working hard, improving every workout, and excited to be back wrestling” said head coach, Jamie Heidt. 

The KoMets return with the majority of last year’s line-up intact, including five state entrants.  Bennett Berge (3x MN State Champion), Logan Vaughan (3x State placer, 3rd in 2020), Anthony Moe-Tucker (6th place in 2020), Jackson Kennedy (DNP), and Kail Wynia (DNP). 

The Class of 2020 graduated four starters from last year’s line-up:  Patrick Kennedy (182), Tanner Paulson (145), Carlos Ruffo (152) and Preston Hitterdal (120). Graduating four starters creates movement and opportunities for a new line-up to form. 

Last Friday’s match against Byron was originally scheduled to be wrestled on Thursday night as a triangular with Byron, Albert Lea, and Kasson-Mantorville. Mother Nature created one more day of pause for the boys, as our largest snowfall of the winter fell, creating cancelations. Albert Lea held back due to the weather on Friday, creating an HVL head-to-head match against the Bears. 

“We’re glad to be back on the mat and competing”, said senior Jackson Kennedy

Seventh grader, Broc Vaughan, had his varsity debut at 106.  B. Vaughan put the KoMets on the board with a decision victory over Ben Steele, 6-3. Luke Swanson (113), got a second period fall over Lukas Green. Kody Fleck (120) lost by fall to Caden O’Donnell. 

Joey Kennedy (126) lost by decision to Jakob Thompson 9-3. Dominic Mann (132) won by decision against Eli Haight, 6-3. Keyan Laganiere (138) lost by fall to Maxwell Peterson.

Henry Paulson (145) started an eight match winning streak for the KoMets when he pinned Charlie Blom. The KoMets would roll on through heavyweight for the victory, 57-15. 

Logan Vaughan (152) won by major decision over Parker Kline, 13-5. Dylan Baker (160) received a forfeit. Dylan Baker returns to the mat after tearing his ACL last season. Kail Wynia (170) picked up the fall over Wyatt Nemecheck. 

Bennett Berge (182) got a Fall in the 3rd period over William Wharton. Jackson Kennedy (195) followed suit and won by a quick fall over Beau Lorentzen. Anthony Moe-Tucker (220) picked up the TF over Carter Geerts 22-7. Reed Parrish Hwt) would finish out the dual with a first period fall over Vicente Deleon.

The KoMets hosted a triangular on Tuesday vs Pine Island and Stewartville.  Results will be in next week’s paper.  The KoMets host again on Thursday night vs Lewiston-Altura.  All home duals will be aired on the KM Activities YouTube channel.  Due to Covid-19, there will continue to be limited spectators. 

Match Results:

106:  B. Vaughan over  Ben Steele (dec 6-3)

113:  Luke Swanson over Lukas Green (Fall 3:48)

120: Caden O’Donnell over Kody Fleck (Fall 0:51)

126: Jacob Thompson over Joey Kennedy (dec 9-3)

132:  Dominic Mann over Eli Haight (dec 6-3)

138: Maxwell Peterson over Keyan Laganiere (Fall 0:55)

145:  Henry Paulson over Charlie Blom (Fall 0:31)

152:  L. Vaughan over Parker Kline (MD 13-5)

160:  Dylan Baker receives forfeit

170:  Kail Wynia over Wyatt Nemecheck (Fall 0:27)

182:  Bennett Berge over William Wharton (Fall 5:09)

195:  Jackson Kennedy over Beau Lorentzen (Fall 0:20)

220:  Anthony Moe-Tucker over Carter Geerts (TF 22-7)

Hwt:  Reed Parrish over Vincente Deleon (Fall 1:01)
 

Current MN HS State Rankings: (Guillotine 1/10/21)

Class AA Team Rankings:

1. Simley (Section 1AA)
2. Kasson-Mantorville (Section 1AA)
3. Detroit Lakes (Section 8AA)
4. Fairmont/Martin County West (Section 3AA)
5. Dassel-Cokato/Litchfield (Section 6AA)

KM Individuals ranked:

145 pounds - Logan Vaughan (1)

170 pounds - Kail Wynia (5)

182 pounds - Bennett Berge (1)

195 pounds - Jackson Kennedy  (5)

Hwt - Anthony Moe-Tucker (4)