Minnesota West CTC Bluejays

Unique Worthington Open wrestling tournament is set to begin

The Worthington Open starts Saturday (Jan. 21) at Minnesota West

WORTHINGTON — Wrestlers will be everywhere Saturday when the 2023 Worthington Open wrestling tournament takes place at Minnesota West Community and Technical College.

The big college open tourney is limited to 160 competitors, and whatever number it turns out to be, it will be easily the largest assortment of experienced matmen fans will witness in Worthington this year.

Division I, Division II and junior college wrestlers will compete together on two mats at the Minnesota West gymnasium and two more at the adjacent Worthington Area YMCA. Invitations have gone out to the University of Nebraska, the University of Minnesota, South Dakota State University, Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D., Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa, and many more, including several two-year schools in Minnesota and other regional states.

The University of Minnesota, for instance, plans to send nine entries, including a few of individuals highly recruited by wrestling schools all over the nation. Continue reading at dglobe.com →

Rochester wins MCAC Duals in Worthington

Minnesota West goes 0-3, but all of the Bluejays’ competitors won at least one match

WORTHINGTON — To no one’s surprise, Rochester Community College captured the championship of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) Wrestling Duals Saturday at Minnesota West Community and Technical College.

The Yellowjackets defeated three opponents at the Center for Health and Wellness in Worthington. Other competing teams were Itasca, Ridgewater, Northland and Minnesota West.

West, which did not fill all its weight classes, lost its first match 40-6 to Ridgewater, then lost its second 45-12 to Rochester, and its third 53-6 to Itasca.

The Bluejays’ win against Ridgewater was turned in by Joe Kallevig at 157 pounds, by fall. The Jays’ Matthew Harris (141 pounds) won by fall in the first period of his match against Rochester, and in the same dual meet, West’s Nathaniel Dolezel won by fall at 197 pounds. In the Itasca match, West’s Brandon Montgomery won his heavyweight match by injury default — his first win of the 2022-23 season. Continue reading at dglobe.com →