Wrestlers win pair of duals at Walker

By news@parkrapidsenterprise.com

January 15, 2008 at 1:45 PM

Pins in the upper weights rallied the Park Rapids wrestling team to a pair of victories at Walker Thursday night.

The Panthers trailed Crosby-Ironton 32-31 with two matches to go before rallying for a 37-35 victory.

Against Walker-Hackensack-Akeley/Nevis, the Pan-thers faced a 33-19 deficit with three matches left before three pins led to a 37-33 win.

The sweep gave the Panthers an 8-4 record in dual meets. Park Rapids hosted Crookston Tuesday night and will travel to Wadena-Deer Creek Thurs-day night. The Panthers then enter the Grand Forks tournament this weekend.

Panthers edge Rangers

The Panthers trailed 23-6 before rallying for a Mid-State Conference win over Crosby-Ironton.

Adam Branstrom's pin in the 112-pound match was the only victory for Park Rapids as the Rangers built a 23-6 lead.

Derek Werner's forfeit win at 135, Colter Uscola's 12-3 major decision at 140, Jared Nash's 8-1 decision at 145 and Matt Weaver's pin at 152 gave the Panthers a 25-23 lead.

Andy Boos' pin at 171 gave Park Rapids a 31-26 lead before the Rangers reclaimed a 32-31 lead.

Lee Branstrom's pin at 215 gave Park Rapids a 37-32 advantage. Kyle Blanchard dropped a 5-0 decision in the heavyweight match, but the Panthers were able to hang on for the win.

Heavyweights lift Panthers

Park Rapids trailed the Wolves the entire match until the upper weights delivered with three clutch pins.

WHAN jumped out to a 15-0 lead before Ryan Moos recorded a pin in the 125-pound match.

The Wolves led 21-6 until Uscola's forfeit win at 140, Nash's 16-4 major decision at 145 and Weaver's 10-4 decision at 152 closed the deficit to 21-19.

Wins in the next two matches gave the Wolves a 33-19 advantage before pins by Matt Offerdahl at 189, Lee Branstrom at 215 and Blanchard at heavyweight rallied the Panthers to the win.

Park Rapids 37, WHAN 33

103: Luke Conger, WHAN, pinned Kevin Just :34.

112: Nick Garbe, WHAN, minor decision over Adam Branstrom 8-3.

119: Joe Anderson, WHAN, pinned Zach Steffen 1:02.

125: Ryan Moos, PR, pinned Blake Wiemann 3:56.

130: Damian Thompson, WHAN, minor decision over Forest Drury 9-8.

135: Nate Higgins, WHAN, minor decision over Derek Werner 5-2.

140: Colter Uscola, PR, won by forfeit.

145: Jared Nash, PR, major decision over Josh Sorenson 16-4.

152: Matt Weaver, PR, minor decision over Zach Flackus 10-4.

160: Ryan Piprude, WHAN, pinned John Drury 2:45.

171: Chris Zimmer, WHAN, pinned Andy Boos :23.