By: Ryan Bergeron
Coming off of two team titles, the Gators came into the 32 team Big Bear tourney in Cass Lake looking to finish off the pre-holiday schedule off right. The Gators did just that and more, continuing their winning ways with their most impressive tournament showing thus far, especially considering they had two open weight classes. They went on to win the two-day tourney over second place Thief River Falls by 52.5 points, as they showed great balance by having eight placers, including four champions.
Coach Bergeron commented on his team’s impressive finish, “I couldn’t be prouder of the boys. They proved that they will be a hard team to beat come tournament time.”
Claiming the four Gator titles were Isaac Novacek (120), Brandon Waage (126), Tejay Wojchowski (170), and Alex Yeager (285). Isaac went 4-0 on the weekend to claim his title, capping it off with a solid 5-3 victory over Park Rapids Area’s Ben Baumgartner; Novacek is 11-0 heading into the holiday break. Brandon Waage claimed his title in emotional fashion as he came up with an impressive come from behind victory over a solid Cody Weiland of Crookston, pulling away late to win 10-2; Brandon went 4-0 on the weekend. Tejay Wojchowski also claimed a come from behind victory, scoring four points in a matter of just a few seconds to erase a 3-0 deficit and hold on to win by a narrow 4-3 score over a very good Colin Huckbody of Walker-Hackensack-Akeley-Nevis ; Tejay went 5-0 in the tournament. Alex Yeager claimed his title in typical Yeager fashion, recording five pins, including his final pin over ranked Zach Gibson of Morris Area at the 3:42 mark.
Achieving the next highest finish for the Gators was Wyatt Becker (106), as he went on to a solid third place finish, continuing to open up more and more every weekend. Wyatt went 5-1, including an impressive 12-5 decision over state ranked Colton LaPlante of Aitkin in the quarterfinals. John Westman (182) and Tomm Ingle (160) each had nice fifth place finishes. John came back from a first round loss to go 5-2 overall, while Tomm had a tough semifinals loss, but had a solid tournament by finishing 4-2 overall. Rounding out the placing for the Gators was Devin Dostal, wrestling tough and placing sixth in a very good weight class. Corey Hasbrouck (132), Gunner Gust (138), Jake Jenson (145), and Brendon Dostal (152) didn’t place for the Gators but wrestled hard and will continue to do so as the season progresses.
The Gators will head back to the practice room during Christmas break coming off a great first half of the season. They know that will have to continue to work hard in the practice room if they want to carry that success into the second half of the season, having a lot of tough competition ahead. Some young kids have stepped it up and the Gators have impressed thus far, but if they hope to have continued success they will need to keep working hard and, most importantly, come together as a “TEAM”. The Gators would like to thank all of the great support that was shown in Cass Lake, “Gator Nation” definitely made its impression known on Saturday. Come on out and continue to support the Gators as the calendar turns to 2012. The next action for the Gators is a dual at home against the Mahnomen-Waubun Cougars on January 3. GO GATORS!!
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