Big Ole Invitational at Jefferson High gym
Update: The Cards did indeed win the 38th annual Big Ole Wrestling Invitational, and in a domineering fashion. The Cards had 232 team points to 166 for the 2nd place team in the eight team event. That is the first time the Cards have won their own tournament since 1988!! And the JV team also won -JV's first Big Ole win, as noted, "in a long time." Could this be the start of something big on the mats of Big Jeff?
Obert writes: OK, it's not girls hockey. But the cub reporter-in-training has been angling all year to see a wrestling match. You see, as a product of the parochial school system, he had never been to a high school wrestling meet - wrestling wasn't a part of the curriculum. The good sisters of New Ulm Cathedral did, however, box his ears on several occasions during his tenure as a student there!
Alex has been ranked in the top 10 of the state wrestling rankings all year - and Bob was particularly intrigued with John Amundson, our undefeated wrestler at 135 pounds. At last notice his record was something like 26 - 0, but as Bob noted, the kid never wrestles. Just about every team Alex faces forfeits in that weight class. But with today's Big Ole Invitational, eight teams were participating so it figured Amundson would get a chance to wrestle. It was a big crowd - we were in the nose bleed seats as evidenced by the photo - and it took us a while to figure out what was going on with four matches taking place at the same time. It was obvious Alex did very well in the first round - but still, Amundson had a bye. When the semi-finals began, it was obvious Alex was going to win the event - all their wrestlers were winning, most by pins. When Amundson did get to wrestle, he pinned his opponent in less than a minute. I had to leave then, secure in the knowledge the Cards had the situation well in hand. Bob, however, was really getting into it and continued on for further coverage. I'm sure he'll provide a report as time permits.
Alex has been ranked in the top 10 of the state wrestling rankings all year - and Bob was particularly intrigued with John Amundson, our undefeated wrestler at 135 pounds. At last notice his record was something like 26 - 0, but as Bob noted, the kid never wrestles. Just about every team Alex faces forfeits in that weight class. But with today's Big Ole Invitational, eight teams were participating so it figured Amundson would get a chance to wrestle. It was a big crowd - we were in the nose bleed seats as evidenced by the photo - and it took us a while to figure out what was going on with four matches taking place at the same time. It was obvious Alex did very well in the first round - but still, Amundson had a bye. When the semi-finals began, it was obvious Alex was going to win the event - all their wrestlers were winning, most by pins. When Amundson did get to wrestle, he pinned his opponent in less than a minute. I had to leave then, secure in the knowledge the Cards had the situation well in hand. Bob, however, was really getting into it and continued on for further coverage. I'm sure he'll provide a report as time permits.
Oh yes, forgot to mention the highlight of Cardinal wrestling in our day was watching Gary Ekdahl wrestle heavyweight at about 170 pounds. Ol' Ek was quite the showman and could get the crowd worked into quite a tizzy!
