The Okoboji/HMS wrestling team finished in the top half of the eight-team field at the Austin Roberts Memorial Tournament held December 16 at Spencer. The Pioneers compiled 127 points to finish behind Jackson County (229), Spencer (177) and Central Lyon/George-Little Rock (138).
There were no individual champions for Okoboji/HMS but finishing as runners-up were Tyce Hanson at 132 pounds, Nathaniel Franklyn at 165 and HMS students James Gellerman at 175 and Ethan Wiersma at 215. Winning 3rd Place Matches were 126-pounder Michael Gonnerman and 157-pounder Alex Rouse.
There were three other HMS wrestlers competing. Nathan Stofferan placed fourth at 113 pounds, Bryce Ortega came in sixth at 285 and Aidan Espemand was eighth at 144.
Team Scores
Jackson County (MN) 229, Spencer 177, Central Lyon/George-Little Rock 138, Okoboji/HMS 127, Sibley Ocheydan 125, Le Mars 106, West Lyon 93.5, Spirit Lake Park 74.
Results for HMS Wrestlers
113-Nathan Stofferan (fourth place) – Semifinal – lost by fall to Evan Erpenbach (West Lyon) in 2:41; Cons. Semi – won by fall over Jackson Van Der Sloot (S-O) in 1:20; 3rd Place Match – lost a 11-3 major decision to Easton Beehler (Spencer).
144-Aidan Espeland (eighth place) – Quarterfinal – lost by fall to Wyatt Heying (Spencer) in 1:27; Cons. Round 1 – lost by fall to Michael Murra (Le Mars) in :38; 7th Place Match – lost by fall to Josh Jager (Central Lyon/GLR) in 3:39.
175-James Gellerman (second place) – Quarterfinal – won by fall over Jack Hemann (Spencer) in 1:40; Semifinal – won by fall over Dominic Marco (S-O) in 1:40; 1st Place Match – lost a 7-5 decision to Seth Stai (Jackson County).
215-Ethan Wiersma (second place) – Semifinal – won by fall over Tallen Lorenzen (Spencer) in 1:58; 1st Place Match – lost by fall to Trevor Dieren (Central Lyon/GLR) in 3:42.
285-Bryce Ortega (sixth place) – Quarterfinal – lost by fall to Sam Christensen (Central Lyon/GLR) in :44; Cons. Round 1 – won an 11-3 major decision over Jake Schipper (Spencer); Cons. Semi – lost by fall to Taylor Vande Weerd (Central Lyon/GLR) in 2:47; 5th Place Match – lost a 3-1 decision to Jaxen Hoag (Le Mars).