Owatonna Wrestling Rallies for Huge Win over Albert Lea
The No. 6AAA Huskies never led the match, but pulled even at 28-28 with the No. 5AA Tigers by winning the final four matches and earned the victory on criteria.
Officially, Owatonna won the match 29-28. Unofficially, the match was considered to be the bout for the Big Nine title.
The string of must-win victories for Owatonna began with Brandon Moen at 182 pounds and the Huskies trailing 28-10. Moen won by injury default to cut the Tigers' lead to 28-16. Nick Staska was named the Kottke Jewelers' Diamond Wrestler of the Meet by bumping up to 195 pounds and getting a win by decision to pull the Huskies to within 28-19. Griffin Thorn got a pin to make the score 28-25. Goy Tut capped the comeback with a decision over a top-five wrestler to tie the meet at 28-28.
Kaden Nelson earned an upset win at 113 pounds and only one OHS wrestler got pinned as the Tigers built a 21-3 lead through 138 pounds. Two-time state champion Peyton Robb manhandled three-time champion Garrett Aldrich for a major decision, which made the score 21-7. After an Albert Lea major, Cade King won by decision to make it 25-10. An Albert Lea overtime win put their lead at 28-10.
The tie-breaker came down to more six-point wins. Owatonna had a pin and a win-by-default. Albert Lea had one win by pin.