Wrestlers strong at Ellsworth Quad

• Hudson’s Mathias Tobin locks up River Falls’ Triston Lee

Hudson’s Mathias Tobin locks up River Falls’ Triston Lee before going on to pin Lee at the 3:47 mark of the 285-pound bout to help the Raiders to a 62-6 Big Rivers Conference victory at River Falls last Thursday. Photo by Bob Burrows

Talk about it

After cruising to a 62-6 Big Rivers Conference victory over River Falls last Thursday, the Raider wrestling team faced three of the top teams in the area Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Ellsworth Quad.

The Raiders defeated Wisconsin’s fifth-ranked Division 2 team Ellsworth, 46-21, lost a hard-fought 34-30 decision to the state’s No. 3-ranked Division 1 team, Wausau West, and dropped a 50-21 decision to perennial Minnesota state powerhouse Apple Valley.

Raider coach Chris Hansen called the victory over Ellsworth a nice win, and said the loss to Wausau West sets the stage for an exciting battle for the sectional title.

“I am very proud of our guys,” Hansen said. “They wrestled hard and enjoyed the opportunity this weekend gave them.”

“This close dual makes it evident that the sectional finals will be very close this year,” Hansen said. “Hudson, Menomonie, Wausau West and Merrill are all very equal and each hopes to be the team who makes it to Madison.”

In the dual against Apple Valley, Schindler and Gierke recorded pins and Tobin, Massie and C.J. Steiner earned decisions to account for the Raider scoring.

Hudson had no trouble taking care of River Falls last Thursday on the Wildcats’ home mat, winning 12 of 14 matches to post a 62-6 victory.

The Raiders will host Eau Claire North in the final home dual of the season this Thursday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. and compete in the Black River Falls Quad Friday, Jan. 25.

See the full story with additional stats and quotes from Coach Hansen in the Jan. 24 print edition of the Star-Observer.

Tags: sports, wrestling, raiders, prep