Owatonna Wrestlers Rally to Top Rochester John Marshall 40-35

The Huskies won the final three weights by pin to finish a come-from-behind 40-35 win over Rochester JM. The injury-plagued Huskies trailed 35-22 before the rally.

For at least the third time this season, the Huskies got a pin at heavyweight to clinch a victory. Austin Abbas earned a first-period pin to finish off a string of back-to-back-to-back wins by pin to remain unbeaten in the Big Nine Conference. Brandon Moen started the stretch of must-win bouts with a first period pin at 195 pounds. Goy Tut battled his opponent in a low-scoring 220-pound match that ended with a pin at 5:29.

Owatonna's strong finish came after the Rockets had won five matches in a row to move to a 35-22 lead. The Huskies picked up four wins in the first six weights to build a 22-12 lead. Kaden Nelson won by major decision at 106. Eighth-grader Jerez Autridge pinned a senior at 113. Tanner Cole and Kade King won by pin at 132 and 138. It was King's first action since the Christmas Tournament in Rochester. Several Owatonna wrestlers missed Thursday's match due to injury.

The Huskies improved to 10-2 on the season and 6-0 in the Big Nine. Owatonna wrestles at the Zumbrota-Mazeppa tournament Saturday, January 16, beginning at 9AM versus United South Central. The tournament features a number of ranked teams, including Albert Lea, Eagan, Caledonia, Worthington and the host team.

The next home Huskies match is Friday, January 22, when OHS entertains St. Michael-Albertville, Mankato East and Rochester Century. Owatonna hosts Takedown Cancer night on Thursday, January 28, when Owatonna faces Kasson-Mantorville. Go to owatonnawrestling.com to preorder fundraising t-shirts.