Crookston High School freshmen Emma Pierson and Natalie Perala are competing at the Section 8 Girls Wrestling tournament in Sartell this weekend.
EMMA PIERSON
Emma won her first match as she beat Chloe Patrick of Brainerd 6-0. There was no scoring in the first period. Pierson scored two points on a reversal six seconds into the period. She started the third period on the bottom and got an escape 11 seconds into the period for a 3-0 lead. She added three more points on a takedown with 1:13 left in the match and held on to win the match 6-0. Pierson advances to the semi-finals, where she will wrestle Favour Kulu of Sartel Saint Stephen on Saturday.
Emma took on Favour Kulu in the semi-finals on Saturday morning and was taken down 34 seconds into the match. She answered with a reversal 11 seconds later and trailed 3-2 after the first period. Emma deferred and started the second period on the bottom, and Kulu decided to go neutral, and Emma got a takedown 25 seconds into the period. With 39 seconds left in the period, Kulu got a reversal and ended the period with four near-fall points. Pierson started the third period on the bottom and got a reversal, only to have Kulu counter with a reversal. Pierson answered with a reversal with 27 seconds left, but it wasn’t enough, and Kulu won 12-9.
In the consolation semi-finals, Pierson took on Lydia W., of Moorhead. Pierson was taken down 19 seconds into the match and was injured, and lost the match due to an injury default.
Pierson wasn’t able to wrestle in the fifth place match and had a medical forfeit to Chasity Skerik of Bemidji to finish sixth place.
NATALIE PERALA
Natalie Perala, a freshman, competed at 124 pounds and lost her first match to Trinity Kurzenberger of United North Central by a pin at 2:33. In the consolation round, Perala lost to Ryanna Moen by pin in 32 seconds, and she was eliminated.
