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Milaca faces Nebraska team in ëClashí opener By GARY LARSON Milaca will face Lincoln East, Neb., in its first match at the "Clash" National High School Wrestling Duals Friday night at 6 at the University Center-Rochester Fieldhouse in Rochester. Milaca, 3-3, will be facing a team ranked No. 1 in Nebraskaís large school classification. "It figures to be a tough opener," said Milaca Coach Randy Zimmer. "But, there probably arenít any easy draws--it shapes up as a very tough tournament." How tough? Consider: ïThe 20 schools in the meet, which includes teams from eight states, have already chalked up a combined 25 tournament titles this season. ïSeven of the teams are ranked in the national top 40 ratings compiled by Amateur Wrestling News. They include: No. 6 Apple Valley, Minn.; No. 12, Owatonna, Minn.; No. 15, Wasatch, Utah; No. 18, Centennial, Minn.; No. 25, Vacaville, Calif.; No. 29, Glenbard North, Ill.; and No. 31, Iowa City West. The Minnesota entrants include Milaca, Apple Valley, Centennial, Rochester Mayo, Caledonia, Owatonna, Glencoe-Silver Lake and Windom. Milaca, Apple Valley, Centennial, Owatonna and Windom competed at the 2002 state tournament with Milaca placing third in Class AA, Apple Valley winning its fourth-straight Class AAA title, Centennial finishing second in Class AAA and Windom winning the Class AA consolation title. "I think the tournament organizers sent invitations to teams that have done well over the past few years," said Zimmer. "We decided that it would be a good tournament for us--a chance to get better competing against top-notch teams." The meet opens Friday with action on eight mats. The 20 teams are divided into five, four-team brackets. First-round matches are at 6, with the second round at 8 oíclock. The other match in Milacaís division has Vacaville facing Rochester Mayo. The Milaca-Lincoln East winner will meet the Vacaville-Mayo winner at 8, with the Milaca-Lincoln East loser meeting the loser of the Vacaville-Mayo match, also at 8. The tournament will resume at 9 a.m. Saturday, with brackets and pairings to be determined by Fridayís results. Milaca will have four matches Saturday. "Weíre a young team but I donít think weíll be intimidated by the caliber of the competition," said Zimmer. "Over the last few years weíve beaten some teams that many people didnít think we had a chance against. "Our goal is to wrestle hard and do our best. Weíve had some very good practices over the holiday break. We want to keep improving." After the Rochester meet, the Wolves resume Rum River Conference action Tuesday, Jan. 7, at North Branch at 7:30 p.m. Milaca travels to the Stillwater Invitational Saturday, Jan. 11. Junior Mitch Vedders (171-189 pounds) leads the Wolves with a 9-0 record while junior Clay Hoeck (140) is 8-1, ninth grader Steven Vedders (125) is 7-1, sophomore Andy Kotsmith (160) is 8-2, sophomore John Fradette (130) is 8-2 and sophomore Chuck LaMee (119) is 6-2. Note: The University Center-Rochester Fieldhouse is located at 851 30th Ave. S.E. in Rochester The "Clash" National High School Duals First-Day Pairings Friday, Jan. 3 Note: The first round is at 6 p.m. The meet is divided into five, four-team brackets with first round winners and losers meeting at 8 p.m. Apple Valley, Minn., vs. Aplington-Parkersburg, Iowa. Perry, Okla., vs. Mineral Point, Wis. ******** Glenbard North, Ill., vs. Osseo-Fairchild, Wis. Caledonia, Minn., vs. Omaha Skutt, Neb. ******** Luxemburg-Casco, Wis., vs. Glencoe-Silver Lake, Minn. Iowa City vs. Owatonna, Minn. ******** Wasatch, Utah vs. Windom, Minn. Osage, Iowa vs. Centennial, Minn. ******** Vacaville, Calif., vs. Rochester Mayo, Minn. Milaca, Minn., vs. Lincoln East, Neb.
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