HODGSON AND WEILAND REACH MILESTONE WINS, TEAM FALLS TO TRF

Damian Hodgson (75 wins) and Cameron Weiland (50 wins) with their milestone signs

The Crookston Pirate Wrestling team had two individual milestone wins, but they ran into a solid Thief River Falls Prowler team and came up short in a 52-17 loss in a dual at the Thief River Falls High School gymnasium.

The match started on a good note for the Pirates when Ethan Bowman won his match at 106 pounds.  Bowman led 5-0 after the first period and had a takedown in the second period for a 7-0 lead and won the match 9-0 to give Crookston a 4-0 lead in the match.  “He got off to a big lead right away and wrestled solid,” said Coach Wes Hanson. “He is improving every day and it was a great way for us to get started up here.”  Crookston lost at 113 by a major decision and the match was tied at 4-4.   Crookston regained the lead with Zach Brown winning his match at 220 by a 9-1 score.  He led 2-0 after the first period and after a strong second period, he led 5-0 before winning the match 9-1 to give Crookston an 8-4 lead. “I was happy to see Zach get a couple of takedowns late,” said Coach Hanson. “He was able to expand the lead and get the major decision and it was a nice win.” Crookston lost the match at 126 pounds by pin, but Cameron Weiland picked up a win by pin at 132 pounds.  Cameron led 4-2 before getting the pin late in the second period.  The win was Cameron’s 50 career victory and Crookston led 14-10. “He really wore down his opponent and he was able to hit a big move late in the second and a nice pin,” said Coach Hanson. “Hats off to Cameron with the 50^th win and to do it with a pin in a big match was great.” Crookston ran into a very strong Prowler middle of the lineup and lost the next five matches by pin and trailed 34-14.  Crookston didn’t have anybody at 170 pounds and forfeited and after Thief River Falls won the 182-pound match by pin they led 46-14.  Crookston’s Damian Hodgson snapped the Crookston losing streak with a hard-fought 4-2 decision victory in overtime.  Damian’s match was scoreless after the first period.  In the second period, he had a takedown for a 2-0 lead.  Damian led 2-1 starting the third period and he gave up an escape with 1:30 left in regulation.  Damian started the overtime period on the aggressive side and was able to score a takedown with 28 seconds left for the 4-2 victory.  The win was Hodgson’s 75 career victory.  “It was a hard-fought match and a hard guy to score on and it was important he wrestled his style and didn’t fall into what they wanted to do,” said Coach Hanson. “It is a nice achievement to get win 75.”  Crookston and Thief River Falls elected to leave 220 pounds open and the Prowlers finished off the match with a pin at heavyweight for a 52-17 victory.  “We wrestled hard tonight,” said Coach Hanson. “We just ran into a very solid team that has had a lot of success already this year.  Our guys competed hard and we have a lot to work on as we move forward, but it was nice to get a few milestone victories.”
Crookston drops to 1-2 in duals on the year and will travel to Cass Lake on Friday and Saturday for the 40-plus team Big Bear tournament.

Damian Hodgson on his way to a 4-2 OT victory for his 75th victory

Cameron Weiland close to his pin for his 50th win