The first week of December marked the beginning of the Bulldogs wrestling season, coming up with 4 wins and one loss. Paynesville Triangular
On Thursday, Dec. 3, the wrestlers set up the high school gym to take on Melrose and Annandale/Maple Lake. Both teams traveled to Paynesville to start the Bulldog’s season. They defeated both teams.
The first match of the night Paynesville took on Melrose. Since Melrose did not have a full team, Paynesville double forfeited 103, 130, 135, 140, and 171.
Jeremy Sogge started the Bulldogs off at 112 by pinning his opponent early in the second period. Max Meagher and Brandon Wendlandt continued the domination each by pinning their opponents. At 145, Joe Hiltner took on a tough opponent and barely lost 8-5.
Chris Sogge, Scott Braun, and Josh Bork each pinned their opponents within the first two periods, bringing the count of pins up to six. Heavyweight Matt Brauchler faced a tough opponent and got caught on his back in the second period for a pin. The outcome of that match was 36-9 in favor of Paynesville.
As Paynesville readied themselves for Annandale they knew it would be a little tougher match than against Melrose. When Nathan Glenz stepped out on the mat at 103, the Paynesville steam-roller got its engine ready. As Glenz dominated his match 14-5, Paynesville kept on rolling until the score was 49-12 at the end of the match.
Paynesville recorded five pins and a forfeit, giving the Bulldogs 30 points. One tech fall, two majors, and two decisions gave them 19 more points to bring the score to 49.
Paynesville: 49
Melrose: 12
Paynesville: 49 Once again Nathan Glenz stepped out at 103, and started out the Bulldogs with a major decision. Jeremy Sogge pinned his opponent at 112, as did David Kerzman at 125. Chris Welle, Joe Hiltner, and Chris Sogge came next, all dominating their opponents and recording 14 points for the team. At 152, Zac Spates was defeated 10-1 by his Little Falls opponent. Shaun Fleischhacker took on a very good wrestler at 160, and was defeated 9-1. Karl Sanborn defeated a state ranked wrestler at 171, 3-1. At 189 and Hwt. Paynesville swapped pins giving each team six points. Those six points, however, weren’t enough for Little Falls to win so Paynesville won that match 39-23. Foley started out winning the first two matches of the dual at 103 and 112, but Paynesville fought back at 119, 125, 130, and 135. Brad Schultz started out the streak pinning his opponent, followed by David Kerzman pinning his, and Mueller and Sogge each with a tech fall and a maj. dec. respectively. Foley bounced back at 140 with a decision and Paynesville answered at 145 with a pin. With Paynesville in the lead 27-10, it looked promising for them but Foley was just getting to their strong side. At 152, Foley scored a tech fall and they just kept going from there. They won two more decisions and two pins. Foley edged out Paynesville 33-27. With a second place showing in the Paynesville tournament, they were happy but not satisfied. They have something to look forward to next year, winning the Foley tournament.
Annandale/ Maple Lake :12
Foley tournament,
On Saturday, Dec. 5, Paynesville traveled to Foley to take part in the annual Foley tournament. Paynesville wrestled three teams that day: Becker, Little Falls, and Foley.
As Paynesville started their day, they faced Becker. With Nathan Glenz starting out at 103, he faced a tough wrestler and ended up losing his match by a pin. That did not shake the Bulldogs, they went on to win the next 10 matches in the dual to come out victorious 55-15. Paynesville recorded seven falls and two tech falls in that matchup.
As 12 noon rolled around, Paynesville started their second match against Little Falls to advance to the finals.
At 119, Brad Schultz was controlling his opponent quite easily when he made a mistake and pinned himself, while trying to pin the opponent. Ryan Zovlowski of Little Falls took on Justin Mueller at 130, and defeated Justin 0-5. Zovlowski is currently ranked in the state.
As Paynesville readied themselves for Foley, they knew they would have to wrestle very good against the fourth ranked team in the state. With wrestlers like Scott Dziuk, Jarrod Jensen, Ben Fitzpatrick, and Greg Garceau; Paynesville had their hands full.
Undefeated wrestlers of the day were David Kerzman, Chris Welle, and Chris Sogge.
Wrestlers with only one loss were: Jeremy Sogge, Brad Schultz, Justin Mueller, Joe Hiltner, and Karl Sanborn.