Crookston Pirate Wrestlers, Emma Pierson and Natalie Perala, won the championship in their respective weight classes at the Bertha-Hewitt-Verndale-Parkers Prairie Girls Wrestling tournament on Saturday.
EMMA PIERSON
Emma Pierson won all three of her matches at 155 pounds.
In her first match, Emma beat Teale Tatum of Foley by pin at 1:44. Emma started the match with a takedown and won by a pin with 16 seconds left in the first period.
In the second match, Emma beat Katelyn Pierce of Spectrum by a pin in 36 seconds. Pierce started the match with a takedown, only to have Emma counter with a reversal and a pin.
In the third match, Emma finished the day with her third win by pin in the third period, at 4:59. Emma started the match with a takedown 48 seconds into the first period, and she led 3-0. In the second period, Emma got another takedown and four near fall points and took a 10-0 lead into the third period. Emma started the third period with a reversal, which her opponent countered with a reversal and three near fall points with 68 seconds left. Five seconds later, Emma got a reversal and pinned her opponent two seconds later to win the match.
“Emma had a great tournament this weekend, and her hard work in the room is definitely paying off. She does exceptionally well turning matches in her favor when she gets put into tricky situations. No matter the situation, she continues to have a smile on her face while competing.” – Coach Tori Bahr
NATALIE PERALA
Natalie went 3-1 on the day and finished in first place.
Natalie had a great start to the day as she beat Neve White of Pequot Lakes/Pine River-Backus by a pin in 70 seconds. She started with a takedown and went on to win by pin.
In the second round, Natalie beat Ellie Halonen of Long Prairie-Grey Eagle/Browerville by a pin at 1:28. Halonen started strong with a takedown and four near fall points. A little over 30 seconds later, Halonen earned four more near fall points. Natalie was able to get out of a jam and scored a reversal with 15 seconds left in the period and got a pin with four seconds left to win the match, and it proved to be a big win to help earn the championship.
In the third match, Natalie beat Scarlette Bjorgan of Ortonville by pin at 2:15. Natalie started with a takedown 13 seconds into the match. Bjorgan countered with a takedown and four near fall points before Natalie answered with a reversal and she trailed 8-5 after the first period. In the second period, Natalie got a takedown six seconds into the period and won by pin at 2:15.
In the fourth and final match of the day, Natalie lost to Josephine Johnson of Walker-Hackensack-Akeley by pin at 3:21. Natalie started the match with a takedown 17 seconds in before giving up an escape. Natalie got another takedown before giving up an escape and then followed with another takedown for a 9-2 lead after the first period. In the second period, Natalie was taken down 34 seconds in and was pinned.
Natalie won the championship by beating Ellen Hallonen who also went 3-1 on the day to win the championship. The three wins were the first wins of Natalie’s young career in her first season of wrestling.
“Natalie came into the tournament without a win on the season, and then turned around and went 3-1 to win her bracket. That kind of improvement doesn’t happen by accident. She competed with confidence, stayed mentally tough, went for takedowns, and you could really see her growth match by match.” – Coach Amelia Miller
