Saints wrestling go undefeated in dual meets

“We knew the travel would be long, but I don’t think we anticipated how long it was going to be from weigh-ins to when we actually wrestled,” SCF coach Joe Raygor said as the meets were in Northwestern. “I think that led to us coming out a little slow against Cumberland and then turning it on later.” 

St. Croix Falls recorded nine wins against Cumberland, three of them being pins. Raygor said Kasey Johnson’s pin over Jack Chafer at 285 pounds at 3 minutes, 46 seconds was a momentum turner. Other pins included Peyton Steffen pinning Billy Williams in 57 seconds at 195 pounds, and Kaden Clark winning in 50 seconds over Drake Welker in 50 seconds at 138 pounds. 

Recording major decisions were Kaiden Hahn (106) and Kellen Kelly (132). Griffin Marko (145) and Chase Lessard (160) tallied decisions as Kaleb Palmer (220) and Cole Steffen (113) won via forfeits. 

“The duals can be a roller coaster and it was fun to watch the kids battle for each other,” Raygor continued. “This is a special group of kids that care about each other and work really hard.” 

Against the Tigers, St. Croix Falls recorded 10 wins, nine of them via pins. 

Joe Petherbridge (195), Johnson (285), Hahn (106), Kody Fleck (120), Kelly (132), Clark (138), Marko (145), Alex Hoff (152) and Lessard (160) recorded the pins as Palmer (220) registered the forfeit win. 

“In both duals, Kaiden Hahn moved really well and was offensive,” Raygor explained. “Kaiden is getting used to the varsity grind and it was great to see him get his offense rolling. His weight was critical in both duals to help secure the victories.” 

St. Croix Falls 81, Barron 0

The Saints recorded six pins, six falls, a technical fall, and a major decision to blank the Bears in the Jan. 24 dual meet. 

The pins were courtesy of Kellen Kelly (132 pounds), who defeated Dillon Paul in 30 seconds, Kaden Clark (138) beating Wyatt Waldofski in 45 seconds, Griffin Marko (145) recording a win over Wesley Mickelson in 43 seconds at 145 pounds, Peyton Steffen (182) registering a win over Tyler Nelson at 182 pounds, Joe Petherbridge in 82 seconds over Jude Slayton at 195 pounds and Kasey Johnson finishing Landon Manglos is 64 seconds at 285 pounds. 

Earning forfeit wins were Alex Hoff (152), Chase Lessard (160), Brodie Allram (170), Kaiden Hahn (106), Cole Steffen (113) and Kody Fleck (120).

Isaac Briggs routed Camden Valentine 18-3 at 126 pounds while Mayson Utgard defeated Wyatt Weise 13-3. 

“It was great to have Peyton back from injury from this fall sports season,” SCF coach Joe Raygor said. 

St. Croix Falls 57, Ladysmith 21

St. Croix Falls recorded 10 of 14 wins to win the Jan. 24 dual meet.

“Barron and Ladysmith had some forfeits in some weights, so we focused on some individual matchups we wanted to see,” Raygor continued. “We went undefeated in overtime wins which is a huge and was able to see some guys grow in positions. Some freshmen picked up their intensity and were more offensive which was great to see.” 

Five of the 11 wins were pins – Kelly at 132 pounds over Clayton Roscoe; Hoff at 152 pounds over Austin Schultz in 93 seconds; Lessard at 160 pounds over Carter Soltis in 3:11; Johnson winning in 4:26 over Nic Bratina and Hahn over Owen Burmeister at 3:14 at 106. 

Clark (138), Marko (145), Fleck (120) and Briggs (126) registered forfeit wins as Kenneth Miner won 10-8 over Marcus Hanson at 170 pounds.