Raider wrestlers settle for second at duals

The Hastings Raiders Wrestling team began the 2011 crusade on Friday night with an SEC triangular.

The Raiders started the season ranked as the third best team in AAA. Additionally, Hastings boasts five ranked wrestlers. Junior Isaac Bauer is ranked fifth at 113 pounds while sophomore Luke Rowh is ranked third at 120 pounds. Senior captains Eric Bauer at 132 pounds and Jake Swenson at 182 pound are ranked fifth at their respective weights. Rounding out the honors for the Raiders is senior captain Isaac Eichmann being ranked second at 220 pounds.

Hastings 78, Cretin 3

The Raiders defeated Cretin Durham Hall 78-3 to start the season. Cretin surrendered six forfeits on the night, with the Raiders earning pins from eighth grader Spencer Kopp (106), senior Dan Gove (132), sophomore Dan Marquette (145), senior Louie Wright (160), junior Hunter Swenson (170), sophomore Andy Rachuy (182), and senior captain Jake Swenson (195).

Hastings 57, Woodbury 21

In the Raiders’ second match of the night against Woodbury they encountered much more resistance. The Royals were able to keep the dual close at 26-21 through the first nine weights before the Raiders steamrolled to the finish line with four pins and a forfeit.

The marquee match of the night pitted fifth-ranked Eric Bauer (132) against third-ranked Ben Donnelly (138). Bauer started the scoring with a takedown. Unable to earn any near-fall points he gave up a reversal to Donnelly. Bauer ended the first period scoring with an escape to lead 3-2 going into the second period. Bauer earned a second period escape while Donnelly answered with a third period escape of his own to round out the scoring and give Bauer a 4-3 win.

Wrestlers securing wins for the Raiders were Spencer Kopp (106) 15-0 technical fall. Dan Marquette (145) earned a second period pin. Hunter Swenson (170) and Andy Rachuy (182) each scored second period pins. Jake Swenson (195) and sophomore Tony Lodermeier (220) made quick work of their opponents with first period pins. Woodbury had forfeits at 120 pounds, 132 pounds, and Heavyweight to finish off the Raiders scoring.

RAIDER DUALS

Saturday’s Raiders Duals did not go as planned for the Hastings Raiders Wrestling team. The Raiders lost their first match at the duals in more than five years. Because of a few key injuries, the Raiders were not at full strength and relied on some young guns to fill in. The outcome of some key matches came down to inexperience in the third period, which ultimately cost the Raiders.

Hastings 40, Centennial 24

The Raiders started off slow with losses in the first two matches going down 0-9. At 120 pounds, Luke Rowh finally put Hastings on the scoreboard with first period pin to pull Hastings within three at 6-9. A 4-2 loss at 126 pounds pushed Centennials lead to 12-6.

Dan Gove (132) earned a 12-2 major decision and Eric Bauer (138) scored a late first period pin to put Hastings out front for good at 16-12. Dan Marquette (145) continued his strong start of the season with second period pin to push the lead to 22-12 before losses at 152 pounds and 160 pounds closed Hastings lead to 22-18.

Back-to-back-to-back pins by Hunter Swenson (170), Jake Swenson (182) and senior Cody Wagner (195) gave the Raiders a 40-18 advantage. The dual ended with the Raiders losing a couple of close matches at 220 pounds and heavyweight to close out the scoring at 40-24.

Coon Rapids 39, Hastings 25

Coon Rapids ended Hastings’ undefeated string with an inspired 39-25 win over the hometown boys.

The Cardinals came out with more energy and emotion than the Raiders, and took advantage of an early lead and a dominating finish to gain the victory.

The Raiders surrendered two early pins to dig themselves into a hole at 0-12. Luke Rowh cut the Cardinal lead in half with a 49 second pin, followed by Isaac Bauer earning a 13-8 decision to close the gap to 9-12.

The Cardinals claimed a 9-5 victory at 132 pound to make the score 15-9. Eric Bauer responded for the Raiders with a first period pin to pull Hastings even at 15-15. Unable to ride the momentum of Bauer’s pin the Raiders gave up a third period lead and lost a tough 7-5 decision at 145 pounds.

Stepping up for Hastings was freshman Stuart Mattison (152) who pulled the Raiders even with a 7-2 decision at 18-18.

Coon Rapids senior Josh Fleck defeated freshman Jake Anderson at 160 pounds with a 2-1 decision giving the Cardinals the lead for good at 21-18. Coon Rapids stretched the lead to 27-18 with a pin at 170 pounds.

Fifth-ranked Jake Swenson (182) won a decision 7-0 over seventh-ranked Brandt Halseth in the only match of the dual with ranked wrestlers. Swenson controlled the entire match from start to finish

Cody Wagner gained a 9-0 major decision for Hastings making the score 25-27. Coon Rapids closed out the dual with pins by their top-ranked wrestlers to make the final score 39-25.

Hastings 38, Prior Lake 24

Needing to rebound from a tough loss, the Raiders found themselves against another top team. The Prior Lake Lakers came to town ranked 11th in the state polls looking to prove they belong.

As was the case all day long, the Raiders were down early losing the first two weights.

At 120 pounds, third-ranked Luke Rowh looked strong against seventh-ranked Sean O’Neil as he controlled the match gaining a 12-5 decision in giving the Raiders their first points of the dual 3-12. Isaac Bauer (126) added to Hastings’ score with a dominating 16-0 technical falls bringing the score to 8-12.

Dan Gove (132) earned a 5-4 decision over Blake Carlisle with Eric Bauer (138) working a second period pin to put Hastings ahead for good at 17-12.

At 145 pounds, Dan Marquette lost a 5-0 decision to fourth-ranked senior Matt Kahnke. Answering for the Raiders was Jake Anderson (152) with a 3-1 decision, followed by Louie Wright (160) being awarded a forfeit to increase the lead to 26-15. A loss at 170 pounds for Hastings closed the gap to 26-18.

Andy Rachuy (182) and Jake Swenson (195) each earned decisions, while Cody Wagner took a forfeit at 220 pounds to extend the lead to 38-18. A loss at heavyweight put the final score at 38-24.

Wrestlers going 5-0 for the first week were; Luke Rowh, Eric Bauer and Jake Swenson.

Next week: The Raiders face Mounds View Thursday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. with the JV starting at 5:30 p.m.

Tags: raider wrestling, sports, prep, hastings, minnesota, spiral