Owatonna begins competition at The Clash wrestling tournament Friday morning at RCTC in Rochester against Kearney, Missouri at 9AM. With a first-round win they would face top-seed St. Edward (OH). The loser of the first match has a second round bye.

The Clash XVI is a 30-team field, leaving two of the four brackets with just seven teams. The others in the A bracket with Owatonna are Shakopee, Ellsworth (WI), Frazee and Oak Park River Forest. OHS coach Adam Woitalla says the goal is to create competitive matches throughout the tournament without regard for geographic rivalries. Friday's results will determine whether Owatonna competes at 9AM or 4PM on Saturday, December 30.

Owatonna finished 19th at The Clash XV last year. Buchanan (CA) won the title last season ahead of St. Edward, Lake Highland Park (FL) and Park Hill (MO). Owatonna's Peyton Robb was named to the All-Tournament team in 2016. Brandon Moen, now a wrestler at Eastern Michigan, earned scholar-athlete honors.

Top seeds this year include Apple Valley, Monitni Catholic (IL) and Park Hill. Other Minnesota teams in the field include Rochester Mayo, Farmington, Zumbrota-Mazeppa and Prior Lake.

The Huskies are coming off a strong performance at the Minnesota Christmas tournament two weeks ago, which was also held at RCTC. Owatonna had two individual champions with Peyton Robb and Cade King winning their weight brackets.

 

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