Kale Rich tries to flip Chase Marsh of Breckenridge/Wahpeton on his back during his 200 lbs. match on Tuesday in Henning.

The Otter Tail Central Bulldogs took to the mat on Tuesday night to face the Breckenridge/Wahpeton Storm in Henning.  It was parent’s night and with the stands packed the Bulldogs did not disappoint.  

The dual started out with a barn burner as 106 pounder Lanston Barry took the mat against the Storm’s Tyler Burchill.  After a takedown in the first period, Barry was able to ride out Burchill to end the period up 2-0.  Burchill chose down in the second and after a flurry of moves, Burchill took the lead 4-3 heading into the third period.  

Kayetana Lopez-Moen looks for an opening during her match against Breckenridge/Wahpeton on Tuesday.

Barry chose down and giving up 2 near fall points, he was able to secure a penalty point, reversal and 3 near fall points of his own to go ahead 9-6 with about 30 seconds left in the match.  That was when Burchill got a reversal and 3 more near fall points as time expired to win 11-9 and give the Storm a 3-0 lead in the dual.

At 113 pounds, the Storm were able to secure 6 points as Jordan Kappes pinned Dylan Geihsler to make the dual 9-0. The Bulldogs were able to take the lead 12-9, as Kayetana Lopez-Moen and Mason Christianson both received forfeits at 120 and 126 pounds.

Photo by Chad Koenen
Will Schwartz works for position against Myles Hinkley of Breckenridge/Wahpeton during Tuesday’s dual in Henning.

The Bulldogs were then able to secure two first period pins of their own at 132 and 138 pounds as Tayden Soma pinned Colman Barth and Carson Roehl pinned Christian Kast.  This put the dual at 24-9 in favor of the Bulldogs.

At 145 pounds, the Bulldogs sent out Conner Nelson to face the Storm’s Weston Jensen. Both wrestlers were trading points into the third period before Jensen was able to hit a firemans and secure the pin. This brought the dual to a score of 24-15.  

Next, at 152 pounds, the Bulldogs had Tommy Ehlert take the mat against Henry Slettedahl.  With the match tied up at 4-4 going into the 3rd period, Ehlert was able to score 7 points in the final period to gain the 11-4 decision. This put the Bulldogs up 27-15.

At 160 pounds the Bulldogs were able to get another pin as Levi Evavold gained the fall over Carson VanEpps.  But the Storm returned the favor at 170 and 182 pounds, as David Erlandson gained a pin over the Bulldogs Gaiden Hoeper and Myles Hinckley got the fall over William Schwartz.  This put the dual at 33-27 in favor of the Bulldogs.  

The Bulldogs had to forfeit at 195 pounds to Will Berge, this tied the score at 33-33 a piece going into the 220 pounds match. The Bulldogs sent out Kale Rich to face Chase Marsh. Rich was able to control the match from start to finish as he got the major decision 12-2. This coupled with the forfeit that Josh Larson got at heavyweight sealed the dual for the Bulldogs as they won 43-33.

“This was a great night for the Bulldogs,” said head coach Jason Rogers. “With our team being as young as we are, we didn’t know if we would see a victory this year, so this one really felt good. Especially on parent’s night, when you have a full gym cheering you on, it makes the experience that much better.”