Prep wrestling: Owatonna takes second to Illinois team
From Staff Reports
January 1, 2005 PRUP0101
ROCHESTER — One day after the Minnesota wrestling landscape shifted, it was back to business for Owatonna, Apple Valley and all the other teams that have learned a large lesson about the vincibility of invincibility.
Owatonna made big news by ending Apple Valley’s 199-match winning streak against in-state teams with a 40-24 victory Thursday in The Clash national duals tournament at the Regional Sports Center. The two-day event continued Friday, giving the 32 teams from 11 states little time to celebrate or mope about the first-day results.
The Huskies, ranked second behind Apple Valley in Minnesota’s Class 3A, enjoyed the high times for less than 24 hours. By virtue of their 3-0 record Thursday, they were one of four teams to qualify for Friday’s round-robin championship bracket … and in their first match they lost to Carl Sandburg High of Orland Park, Ill., 31-18.
Carl Sandburg went on to capture the tournament championship, giving Illinois two titles in the Clash’s three years. Glenbard North of Carol Stream, Ill., won the inaugural Clash and Apple Valley was the champion last year.
Owatonna finished second, followed by Wasatch (Heber City, Utah) and Wisconsin Rapids.
Wasatch is led by Cyler Sanderson, ranked No. 1 in the nation at 140 pounds by Amateur Wrestling News and the brother of unbeaten collegiate wrestler and Olympic champion Cael Sanderson. Cyler Sanderson has signed a letter of intent with Iowa State, where his brother wrestled and is now an assistant coach. Cael Sanderson was among the spectators Friday.
Apple Valley began a new streak by sweeping three matches Friday and winning the second of eight four-team brackets. The six-time defending Class 3A champion defeated Albert Lea (No. 3 in 3A), St. Michael-Albertville (No. 1 in 2A) and Lake Stevens (Wash.) on Friday.
“We feel real good, “Apple Valley coach Jim Jackson said. “It was a tremendous team effort today. The kids came back strong and we’re real proud of them.”
Apple Valley’s last loss to a Minnesota team was against Hastings in the 1998 state semifinals. The state champion that year was Owatonna, and Thursday’s result marked the Huskies as the team to beat this season. Apple Valley and Owatonna could have a rematch at this season’s state tournament, where they would meet in the semifinals.
Pierz, the defending Minnesota Class 1A state champion and top-ranked in that class, finished third in the third bracket. The Pioneers lost to Glenbard North, defeated Vacaville, Calif., and lost to Omaha (Neb.) Skutt. Glenbard North won the third bracket.
Other bracket champions were Sedro-Woolley (Wash.), Adrian, Coon Rapids, Omaha (Neb.) Burke and Rochester Mayo.
John Millea
Wrestling Gear
