Wolverines still battling for place

ST. PAUL -- The top-ranked Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines were disheartened by the fact they were not in the running for the Class 2A state team wrestling championship this weekend.

But they kept alive their hopes to place as they defeated the 10th-ranked Hibbing Bluejackets 35-21 in the consolation semifinals Friday at the Xcel Energy Center.

W-DC (21-2) met Windom/Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin for the consolation championship Saturday.

The Wolverines were upset 25-24 in Thursday's quarterfinals by Milaca.

"The kids are focused on what we have to do," Wolverines coach Dennis Kaatz said. "It was a tough loss (Thursday) night. I was proud of the kids. They came back. We're pretty well focused and ready to go."

Against Hibbing, the Wolverines focused on building a huge lead. They clawed their way to a commanding 32-7 edge by winning seven of the first nine matches.

Ryan Hunke (112), Leland Brincefield (119) and Logan Brincefield (125) registered consecutive pins in that stretch for W-DC.

"We got those pins, three in a row, right off the bat," Kaatz said. "When we do that, that sets the tone, and the other kids know what they have to do, pick up a few wins here and there."

W-DC's Kyle Trout picked up a major decision at 152 to clinch the victory.

"We thought that would be a little closer match, but Kyle handled him pretty well," Kaatz said.

Class 2A Consolation Semifinals

Wadena-Deer Creek 35, Hibbing 21

103-Travis Timmerman (H) maj. dec. Kenny Steffens 8-0

112-Ryan Hunke (WDC) pinned Eric Mattson 1:49

119-Leland Brincefield (WDC) pinned Karl Manner 2:38

125-Logan Brincefield (WDC) pinned Pat Kapella 1:34

130-Ben Lamphere (H) dec. Nate Berry 13-9

135-Louie Vandermay (WDC) maj. dec. Kyle Downs 13-3

140-Paul Hunke (WDC) dec. Josh Nyhus 7-4

145-Peter Hayes (WDC) dec. Danny Vitali 5-4

152-Kyle Trout (WDC) maj. dec. Doug Downs 11-0

160-Ethan Osterhoudt (H) pinned Matt Hayes 5:22

171-Skip Johnson (H) dec. Dusty Uselman 8-2

189-Zach Snyder (WDC) dec. Tylor Slinger 7-4

275-Elliott Osterhoudt (H) tech. fall Matt Gastecki 3:33

Overall-WDC 21-2. Next meet-WDC vs. Windom/Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Class 2A consolation championship.