Eagles Wrestlers Cross State Lines For Mid-Dakota Monster

Corey Rowse gets in position to pin his opponent at the Mid-Dakota Monster in Presho, SD, last weekend. Photo courtesy Mikayla Marvin.

David Fox tries to break an opponents grip at the Mid-Dakota Monster in Presho, SD, last weekend. Photo courtesy Mikayla Marvin.

Tim Lechtenberg wrestles a Battle Creek opponent in last week's dual. Tim got his first career pin against this wrestler in the 160 lb. class. Photo courtesy Mikayla Marvin.

The O'Neill Eagle wrestling team came out of the Christmas break and went right to work competing in a Thursday dual versus Battle Creek.  This was senior parents night for the Eagles. Honored during the night were wrestlers Tate Laursen, Thomas Schipporeit, Jesse Albarran and student manager Mattie McCabe. The team came away victorious earning a 42 to 34 win over the Braves. Match results below:

106 -  Zachary Pavel (O`Neill) won by forfeit.

113 - Tyler Frederick (Battle Creek) won by forfeit.

120 - Jon Marvin (O`Neill) won by pin over Chase Osborne (Battle Creek) 1:46.

126 - Dion Nemec (O`Neill) won by major decision over Conner Kramer (Battle Creek) 10-0.

132 - Blake Walters (O`Neill) won by forfeit.

138 - Cory Rowse (O`Neill) won by major decision over Zach Kirby (Battle Creek) 16-4.

145 - Marcus McNichols (O`Neill) won by pin over Jordan Zautke (Battle Creek) 3:58.

152 - Royal Tiedtke (Battle Creek) won by major decision over Ty Sawyer (O`Neill) 17-9.

160 - Nate Gray (Battle Creek) won by pin over Tate Laursen (O`Neill) 4:53. 

170 - David Fox (O`Neill) won by major decision over Drew Lanman (Battle Creek) 14-6.

182 - Spencer Knopp (O`Neill) won by pin over Colton Welke (Battle Creek) 1:05. 

195 - Shane Hawthorne (Battle Creek) won by pin over Zach Storjohann (O`Neill) 0:49.

220 - Travis Wright (Battle Creek) won by pin over Thomas Schipporeit (O`Neill) 3:16.

285 - Casey Johnson (Battle Creek) won by pin over Keith Sandall (O'Neill) 0:50.

On Friday the Eagles traveled to Presho, SD, for the two day, 23 team Mid-Dakota Monster, hosted by the Lyman Wrestling Club. O'Neill finished in fourth place as a team behind team champions Spearfish/Lead/Deadwood, runner-up Phillip Area, and Winner.  Placing nine wrestlers in the tournament it was the best overall performance for the team this season.  Joe Gillham walked away with the 113 lb. championship, with Blake Walters and Thomas Schipporeit finishing in second at 132 lb. and 220 lb. respectively.  Placing third for the Eagles were Spencer Knopp and David Fox at 182 lb. and 170 lb. A number of O'Neill wrestlers finished in fifth place:  Jon Marvin at 120 lb.,  Dion Nemec at 126 lb., Cory Rowse at 138 lb. and Tate Laursen at 160 lb.

"I thought we did some good things.  I think the thing we will really benefit from is there were a number of matches that we can point to and say, 'this is the style we want to wrestle, 'a good example of the kind of effort we want to deliver every time we step on the mat. It can really be a catalyst seeing one or several of your teammates really lay it on the line, we had that this weekend. Hopefully, we will bring it back to the practice room in the coming weeks," commented Coach Corkle.