Six Eagle grapplers competing in state tournament
Six Eagle grapplers competing in state tournament
By MARVIN BAKER
New Town has sent six of its wrestlers to the state tournamant in Fargo this weekend following an impressive showing in the Region 3 tournament held Saturday in Rolla.
Although New Town finished in fourth place overall with 134 points, Billy Hall, wrestling at 145, took the only individual championship for the Eagles with a 4-3 decision over Anthony LaFontaine of Minot Ryan. It was a close match, however, Hall came through in the clutch to take the title and will take his 21-1 record to the state tournament.
Velva-Garrison-Max was declared the overall winner with 218, followed by Rolla-Rock Lake, St. John, 191 and Rugby, 144.5. Minot Ryan followed fourth-place New Town with 130.5. Other teams included Des Lacs/Burlington, Kenmare and Stanley.
The Eagles had three, second-place finishers in Rolla. Justin and Jeremy Grinnell and Eric Danks all moved into the championship rounds of their weight classes but dropped their title matches.
Justin Grinnell, wrestling at 130, lost a 12-1 decision to Austyn Kittelson of Velva. Jeremy Grinnell, wrestling at 135, dropped a hard-fought, 5-3 overtime decision to Wilson Halloway of Rolla and Eric Danks lost to Rugby’s Zach Odden by default.
Jess Hall was the lone third-place finisher. Hall took the consolation at 119 with his 6-2 decision over Quaid Degenstein of Velva.
Slade Stringer completed the state qualifier list in the 189 weight class. Even though Stringer was pinned by Brandon Storbeck of Minot Ryan in 2:48, his finishing fourth qualified him for the big dance in Fargo.
