Another Owatonna match came down to heavyweight. Another pin by senior Isaiah Noeldner and the Huskies move on to the semifinals at the state tournament at Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul. OHS will face top-seed, top-ranked, and unbeaten Shakopee at about 1 pm Thursday afternoon with coverage live on AM 1390 KRFO.

"It's always exciting when it comes down to heavyweight," said coach Adam Woitalla. Noeldner's pin gave OHS a 33-29 win over Forest Lake. "Off the mat, he's a very calm person, but when he is warming up, he is very intense. He is a kid you don't have to motivate...He goes out there ready to compete."

A number of other matches along the way were also very important. Sophomore Andrew Nirk fought off his back and only gave up only a major decision to a top-five rated opponent at 160 pounds.

Quincey Price gave up just a decision to a top-five rated wrestler at 220. That loss put the Huskies down 29-27 going into 285, but Noeldner made quick work of his opponent by getting the pin in 36 seconds. He only needed a win. Noeldner famously won by fall over Northfield two weeks ago where he had to have the pin.

Cael Robb won a dominating 8-0 major to open the dual. YJ Evillard held off a furious comeback at 120 to boost the Huskies to a 7-4 lead.

After giving up a couple of pins, Owatonna got back to back wins by decision from Jacob Rienardy and Jerez Autridge. Top rated Landen Johnson got a pin early in the second period at 152, dropping down a weight, to give OHS a 19-16 advantage.

After Nirk's loss, Kaden Nelson won a major decision at 170 to put OHS up 23-20. Matt Seykora won a major at 182 for a 27-20 lead.

If Owatonna pulls off the upset over Shakopee they will wrestle for the state title at 7 pm. Otherwise, it will be a 5 pm match for third place.

 

 

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