The Johnnie wrestling team travels to compete at Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Don Parker Open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4.
A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: Saint John’s recorded four bonus-point wins but forfeited two weights in a 27-20 loss at Itasca C.C. last Friday (Jan. 27) in Grand Rapids.
SJU started the dual with pins from junior Ben Gilbertson (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids-Rice) and freshman Zachariah Hunter (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area) at 184 and 197 pounds, respectively.
Freshman Teagyn Ludwig (Richmond, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins) tallied a 14-4 major decision at 125 pounds and classmate Andrew LeMire (Stacy, Minn./Forest Lake) gave the Johnnies a 20-12 lead with a major decision of his own, 13-5, at 141.
The Vikings took advantage of SJU’s forfeit at 149 pounds and ended the dual with three-straight decisions.
Gilbertson, Hunter, sophomore Thomas Allen (Colorado Springs, Colo./St. Mary’s) and sophomore Logan Thorsten (Foley, Minn.) all won exhibition matches after the dual.
WHO WILL BE THERE: The Johnnies and Blugolds are scheduled to be joined by Augsburg, Bryant & Stratton (Wis.), Concordia-Moorhead, Division I Iowa, Luther (Iowa), Division I Minnesota, Division II MSU-Mankato, Nebraska Wesleyan, Division I North Dakota State, Division I South Dakota State, Division II St. Cloud State, Wheaton (Ill.), Division I Wisconsin, Wisconsin-La Crosse and Wisconsin-Whitewater.
LAST YEAR’S TOURNAMENT: Nine Johnnies competed at last year’s Don Parker Open held Feb. 5 (2022).
Gilbertson led the Johnnies with a 2-2 record at 174 pounds, improving to 21-14 on the year. Both of his wins were for bonus points (technical fall and major decision).
Sophomore Logan Thorsten (Foley, Minn.) won his first match via fall at 149 pounds, but suffered an 8-5 defeat in the second-round bout and left the tournament.
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