Owatonna Wrestlers Finish Fourth at Zumbrota-Mazeppa Duals

An undermanned Owatonna High School wrestling team ended up with a fourth-place finish Saturday, going 1-2 at the Zumbrota-Mazeppa duals.The Huskies face a big section match-up Thursday at Lakeville South.

Missing six varsity wrestlers, the Huskies finished fourth at Zumbrota-Mazeppa on Saturday. After sailing by USC 47-16, No. 8AAA Owatonna lost to No. 13AAA Eagan 39-24 and came up short against No. 15AA Worthington 36-35 in the third-place match.

Sophomore Parker Westphal and seventh-grader Matt Seykora made their varsity debut in the victory over the Rebels. Senior Michael Thom got his first varsity pin.

In the semifinals versus the Wildcats, Owatonna fell behind 39-0 before winning the final four spots with pins from Griffin Thorn, Brandon Moen, Goy Tut and Austin Abbas for the 39-24 final score. Thorn was named the Kottke Jeweler's diamond wrestler of the meet for his early second-period stick. Eagan's big lead included wins over state-ranked wrestlers Tanner Cole and Kade King.

In the third-place match against Worthington, the Huskies fell behind 12-0 after a pin and forfeit. Freshman Kobie Kath earned a win by pin at 120 pounds and was the Kottke Jeweler's diamond wrestler of the meet. Owatonna won four out of five weights to go ahead 20-18. The Trojans won the next three by pin to take a 36-20 lead. Owatonna's upper weights have been strong in a number of come-from-behind wins this season but they came up one point short in the rally. Thorn won by decision. Moen got a pin. Tut won in overtime on a stall call on Worthington. Abbas need a major decision or better for the team win. He won 7-1, just shy of the necessary major. Worthington's wrestler took a very defensive approach and was penalized for stalling three times.

The Huskies were missing varsity wrestlers Peyton Robb, Bryce Goodwin, Blake Westphal, Trevor Schroeder, Jerez Autridge and Riley Becker for a number of reasons.

Albert Lea beat Eagan 49-14 in the championship bout.

OHS goes to Lakeville South on Thursday for a crucial Section 1AAA match. Owatonna hosts No. 2AAA St. Michael-Albertville on Friday, January 22, along with Rochester Century and Mankato East.

Owatonna will hold Take Down Cancer Night on Thursday, January 28, at OHS when No. 1AA Kasson-Mantorville comes to Owatonna.