Irish go 2-2 at Hastings

Talk about it

The Rosemount wrestling team has traveled to Hastings for a dual-meet tournament for the past several years.

It’s typically the first competition of the season for the Irish. With top-notch teams at the meet, it can provide the wrestlers and coaches a glimpse into what is needed for improvement as the season wears on.

The Irish have been 0-4 as a team at the tournament for the past three years. The results typically mean there is plenty of work to do. However, the meet often includes several ranked teams, and Rosemount does improve from that point.

If that continues to be the case, the Irish might like what happens this season.

Rosemount went 2-2 at last weekend’s meet.

“All the teams in the tournament, besides us, were ranked or honorable mention,” Irish coach Brett Larson said. “We beat Centennial and Prior Lake. We felt good coming out of it with victories against those two teams. And we were still forfeiting two weights. It’s a positive start. That was good for us. It’s about where we are at.

“We found out we have some veteran wrestlers who I think will be right there in matches. And we have some new guys, the varsity level is a big jump, and I think they will fit right in and compete.”

Last weekend’s Hastings meet again brought quality competition. Two teams ranked in the top 12 in the state and two other honorable-mention teams. Rosemount was not one of those teams.

But the Irish left the meet with a 2-2 team record regardless.

Rosemount beat honorable-mention worthy Centennial 35-31 in the opening round. Coon Rapids, No. 11 ranked, beat the Irish 52-15 in the second round.

In the third round, No. 2 Hastings beat Rosemount, 59-15.

The Irish then came back with a 31-29 victory against Prior Lake in the fourth round.

Garrett Bothun went 3-0 during the meet. Tony Marthaler went 2-1 and Tyler Sandoz finished 2-2. The three senior captains were leading the way by example in the first action of the season.

Some of the other returning experienced wrestlers also provided key points.

Paul Domeier, Josh Francois and Adam Jackson each went 2-2 during the meet, often meeting up against wrestlers who were ranked individually.

Ninth-grader Danny Rosa won his first varsity match as well.

“We knew it was going to be tough,” Larson said. “It’s kind of a meat-grinder to have four duals in one day, and especially going up against four quality teams. It’s a long, tough day. We came out ahead going 2-2. We’re pleased with the outcome and we’ll move forward from there.”

Tags: sports, wrestling