Wolves host Knights....Rum River title on line
Posted 1/29/03

Milaca hosts St. Michael-Albertville in a wrestling dual tonight (Thursday) at 7:30.

Whatís at stake?

Plenty.

The Wolves, who lost to Foley 33-20 Dec. 19 at Foley, are 5-1 in RRC matches after stopping Big Lake 59-13 and Pine City 69-9 in a triangular Friday at Big Lake.

St. Michael-Albertville, which trimmed Foley 44-10 Jan. 3 at St. Michael, leads the RRC with a 6-0 mark while Foley is also 5-1.

A Milaca win over SM-A sets up a potential three-way tie for the RRC title, a crown the defending-champion Wolves set as one of their goals for the season. Milaca closes its RRC schedule Friday Feb. 8 against Princeton in a triangular at Milaca that also includes non-conference foe Aitkin. And, the Tigers are a team the Wolves canít afford to look past.

But first comes St. Michael-Albertville, 15-2 overall and ranked No. 5 in the Class AA state ratings.

"They have a very solid team," said Milaca Coach Randy Zimmer, whose team topped SM-A in the third-place match at last yearís Class AA State Tournament. "They have good balance and several very good individuals--thatís the trademark of their program.

"Weíll need to come up with a great effort. But, weíre capable of that. Weíve improved each week."

Knightsí Coach Gregg Greeno confirmed Zimmerís observations.

"We have good balance with some very good individuals," he said. "Weíre very young and weíre a little surprised at how weíve done because of that. Some of our best wrestlers are just ninth graders. We know Milaca is very capable. Again, it boils down to match-ups."

The Knights are led by junior Brandon Dick, whoís 26-1 and ranked No. 1 in the state in Class AA at 119 pounds, and ninth grader Mike Schorn, whoís 24-4 and ranked No. 5 in the state at 103. Eighth grader Joe Grygelko is 21-7 at 112, ninth grader Chad Little is 21-8 at 125, sophomore Jake Grygelko is 21-8 at 135, ninth grader Micky Kirk is 21-7 at 140, junior Chas Vetts is 15-3 at 160 and junior John Grygelko is 23-3 at 171. And, yes, the Grygelkos are brothers.

"It should be another great match," said Zimmer.

On Saturday, Milaca travels to the Paynesville Invitational. First-round junior varsity matches begin at 9:30 a.m., with the first round of varsity matches at 10:30. The eight-team meet continues through the morning and afternoon.

Paynesville, ranked No. 3 in Class AA, topped Milaca 27-26 in the title match a year ago.

Paynesville took a 15-6 dual mark into action this week.

"We have several good seniors and good team balance," said veteran Paynesville Coach Virg Vagle.

Milaca junior Mitch Vedders (160-171) boosted his record to 21-0 with wins against Big Lake and Pine City while junior Clay Hoeck (135) moved to 21-2.

Milaca is 13-7 overall.

Milaca 69, Pine City 9
103 - Chuck LaMee (M) won by forfeit.
112 - Cody Kragt (M) pinned Ben Mead, 2:57.
119 - Steven Vedders (M) won by forfeit.
125 - John Fradette (M) won by forfeit.
130 - Nic Ziegler (M) won by forfeit.
135 - Clay Hoeck (M) pinned Bruce Johnson, :40.
140 - Doug Lanz (M) won by forfeit.
145 - Marshal Anson (M) won by forfeit.
152 - Axel Totzke (M) pinned Aaron Hanson, 1:46.
160 - Andy Kotsmith (M) won by forfeit.
171 - Mitch Vedders (M) won by forfeit.
189 - Tony Swenson (M) dec. Paul Mead, 4-3.
215 - Josh Barnes (PC) dec. Steve Jacobson, 3-0.
Hwt. - Matt Oven (PC) pinned Bryan Witschen, 4:48.
Note: The match began at the 152-pound weight class.
Milaca 59, Big Lake 13
103 - Chuck LaMee (M) pinned Aaron Stolp, 5:40.
112 - Cody Kragt (M) dec. Tyler Sonelstahl, 11-9, OT.
119 - Steven Vedders (M) pinned Jesse Hatesohl, :44.
125 - John Fradette (M) pinned Cory Moeller, :43.
130 - Nic Ziegler (M) major dec. Trevor Knaeble, 11-2.
135 - Clay Hoeck (M) pinned Brandon Hilz, 3:57.
140 - Keith Lumley (BL) pinned Doug Lanz, 4:36.
145 - Ryan Lumley (BL) major dec. Marshal Anson, 13-4.
152 - Nick Grecula (BL) dec. Axel Totzke, 13-12.
160 - Andy Kotsmith (M) pinned Travis Stuflick, :20.
171 - Mitch Vedders (M) major dec. Ben Hoglund, 11-0.
189 - Tony Swenson (M) pinned Ben Brown, :21.
215 - Steve Jacobson (M) pinned Aaron Mevissen, :10.
Hwt. - Bryan Witschen (M) pinned Chop Berg, :27.
Note: The match began at the 152-pound weight class.