Wrestling: Irish perfect in conference

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When the season started, Rosemount wrestling coach Brett Larson tried to be realistic with his expectations for this season’s Irish squad.

Larson knew his team would fare well, but knew his squad had some relatively inexperienced wrestlers and might have a tough time filling out each weight class in the lineup.

A month later, Larson is enjoying the way the season has transpired. He’s able to fill out most weight classes on the lineup card and the Irish are 4-0 in the South Suburban Conference. Add in team wins at two individual tournaments and things have gone about as well as could have been expected.

“Obviously, we’re 4-0 so things are going pretty well,” Larson said. “We’re doing really well and guys are performing the way we expect them to. At this point, we have enough guys that have been put into position to be successful. We go into each match expecting to go out and perform each night.”

The Irish are now receiving votes in the latest lean-n-mean rankings, a sort of honorable mention in Class 3A after starting the season unranked.

Rosemount beat Lakeville South, 45-34, last week to remain unbeaten in conference action.

Two days later, the Irish won the team title at the Clash of the Titans individual tournament at Tartan. Five Rosemount individuals won titles in their respective weight class and eight wrestlers competed in the finals at their weight class.

“We expected to do well,” Larson said. “We’ve historically done pretty good at that tournament. We won quite handily, to be honest. We’ve done well but you have to prove it and live up to expectations and what you think you can do, what we think we can do. It was a great tournament.

“I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen eight guys in the finals. That’s phenomenal. To have five champions is just great. We brought 13 and all scored in the top five. We had didn’t have someone in one weight class, but it didn’t hurt us. It would be nice to have that filled, but with 13 guys scoring you’re going to do well. You’re going to win every tournament with eight in the finals.”

Dan Rosa won the title at 103 pounds, winning his finals match in overtime.

Steve Levine added a win at 125 pounds and Paul Domeier won at 130 pounds.

“Both Paul and Steve really dominated their weight class,” Larson said.

Adam Jackson was named the most outstanding wrestler of the tournament after winning at 152 pounds.

“He had the toughest weight class,” Larson said. “There were two state-entrants, one of which he had to wrestle based on how the bracket fell. He dominated in the final match.”

Josh Francois pinned his way through the tournament, taking first place at 160 pounds.

“He was a step above the rest,” Larson said. “He won in quite convincing fashion.”

Nick Paxson at 135 pounds, Jacob Pruter at 189 pounds and Jon Bishop at heavyweight each finished second in their respective weight class.

Pat Massey was third at 171 pounds.

Adam Hedin (112 pounds), Kwame Owusu (119), Colin Busho (140) and Chad Marx (145) each placed fifth in their respective brackets.

With the ability to bring extra wrestlers, Rosemount had two entrants at both 171 pounds and heavyweight. While the second wrestler didn’t factor into the team scoring, Nathaniel Martin was fourth at 171 pounds and Stefan Sauer was third at heavyweight.

“It was good depth for us and gave them the opportunity to wrestle in a varsity tournament.”

Rosa, Hedin, Grant Jackson, Domeier, Paxson, Busho, Adam Jackson and Bishop all won in the conference dual against Lakeville South. Grant Jackson earned a pin in his first varsity match while filling in a spot in the lineup.

Tags: sports, rosemount, irish, prep, wrestling