Tigers close out final day at state tourney

Feb. 28—Four Albert Lea wrestlers started the final day of the state tournament still with hopes of climbing as high as third place in their respective weight classes.

Devon Groess, Ryan Collins, Trent Ignaszewski and Brecken Wacholz each wrestled in the third round of consolations Saturday morning.

Devon Groess, a junior ranked No. 9 at 121 pounds, was first on the mat and faced off with No. 10 Rocco Mikolyzk from Prior Lake. The match was closely contested, entering the third period in a 0-0 tie. Mikolyzk started the period on bottom and the two exchanged reversals, ending the contest in a 4-2 decision, ending Groess's tournament run.

Devon Groess ends this season with a 37-16 record.

Collins was up next in the 145-pound bracket. Ranked No. 6 in the weight class, Collins took on unranked William Schneider and ultimately lost in a 4-2 decision. Collins earned two escapes in the second period, but Schneider got a takedown in the second and an escape in the third to pull out a two-point victory.

Don't miss the news!Sign up so you never miss a headline.

Do not fill this field

Sign Up

Collins ends his junior season with a 42-11 record.

Ranked No. 8 at 172 pounds, Brecken Wacholz wrestled against No. 6 Riley Clark from Apple Valley. Wacholz earned two escape points throughout the match, but it was no match for Clark's three takedowns. Wacholz lost the match in a 9-2 decision.

Wacholz ends his junior season with a 37-9 record.

Finally, it was sophomore Trent Ignaszewski at 189 pounds closing it out for the Tigers. Ignaszewski took on No. 4-ranked Cael Spates and lost a 12-2 major decision. Spates notched two takedowns, a four-point nearfall and two escapes, while Ignszewski earned a two-point reversal.

Ignaszewski ends this season with a 27-11 record.

Juniors Dylan Groess and Malakai Olson also wrestled for Albert Lea at the state tournament. However, their runs ended in the consolation rounds on Friday.