Bluejays’ Eduardo Trijo battles St. James Area’s Dylan Reed during Waseca’s 45-30 victory Thursday, Jan. 12.
Waseca matmen top SJA
Garza reaches finals in Big South tournament
Garza reaches finals in Big South tournament
Thu, 01/26/2023 - 6:24pm
The Waseca High School wrestling team had a successful night Thursday, Jan. 12, defeating visiting St. James Area 45-30.
The Bluejays, who have faced their share of challenges this season, turned up the intensity in the heavier weights and held off the Saints.
"The guys really stepped up and wrestled well," said WHS coach Jake Janike. "They were offensive, taking shots and creating motion on the mat. We had a number of our younger wrestlers move up to the varsity level and compete and they wrestled outstanding. The older athletes have really worked with them, pushing them to become better."
After Archer O'Brien was pinned in the 106-pound bout, Elijah Biehn, Jacob Knutson and Peyton Sommers answered with falls at 113, 120 and 126, respectively.
The Bluejays gave up a forfeit at 132 before Slade Barnett took a 2-1 decision at 138 and Jacob Root claimed an 11-3 major decision at 145.
The Saints answered with falls over Eduardo Trejo at 152 and Joey Cruz at 160, trimming Waseca's lead to 25-24.
The Jays put it away with four straight wins starting with a forfeit to Christian Rodriguez at 170. Carter Ellis garnered a major decision at 182, Payton Garza prevailed by fall at 195 and Matthew Veroeven was victorious 9-1 at 220. The Jays' Jenaro Delgado was pinned at 285.
The Bluejays grappled Saturday in the Big South Conference tournament at Pipestone, where Waseca finished seventh.
Garza was the lone Bluejay to reach the finals, finishing second at 195. Rodriguez was third at 170, Delgado third at 285, Veroeven fourth at 220 and Ellis fifth at 182.
Team standings: Jackson County Central 250.5, St. Peter 179, Marshall 151, Fairmont 125, Pipestone Area 112.5, New Ulm 113, Waseca 70, Redwood Valley 56.5, Worthington 53, Blue Earth Area 41, Luverne 41, St. James Area 37, Windom Area 30.
The Bluejays had a rough one Tuesday, Jan. 17 with a 66-9 home loss to St. Peter. Waseca’s lone points came on decisions by Rodriguez, Veroeven and Delgado.
The Bluejays, 3-3 in dual meets, wrestle Saturday in the Hutchinson Invitational, travel to Martin County West for a quadrangular Jan. 24 and are at Kasson-Mantorville for a triangular Jan. 27.
