Eagles and Cubs compete in New London-Spicer Invitational

Both the Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles and Kimball Cubs wrestling teams competed in the eight-team New London-Spicer Invitational Friday, Jan. 17. 

By day’s end, the Eagles captured two individual titles and a fourth-place team finish with 134.5 points, and the Cubs one individual title and a -seventh-place team finish with 83.5 points.

For the Eagles, Treyce Ludwig (172) and Nick Becker (285) earned individual titles. Top-seeded Ludwig earned his title via three pins, capped by a fall at the 3:22 mark over Glencoe-Lester Prairie’s Jackson Wischnack. The second seed at his weight, Becker also earned his championship via three pins – the final one at 3:23 over top-seeded Sartell-Saint Stephen’s Jordan Gulden in the title match.

The Cubs’ lone individual championship came via Mark Schiefelbein (152). The top-seeded Schiefelbein earned his way into the title match via a pin and a 12-1 major decision, setting up a finals match-up versus Glencoe-Lester Prairie’s Mason Schilling. Both wrestlers came in with just three losses each. Schiefelbein left this match with still three losses after an 8-1 championship decision. 

The Cubs also had one other finalist, in Karson Schmidt (127). The second seed at his weight, Schmidt earned a pair of pins to advance to the title match versus top-seeded Carson Nelson of New London-Spicer. Schmidt would get caught and pinned 52 seconds into the title match to finish as the runner-up.

As for other Eagle place winners, John Weiss (121), Brayden Kramer (139), and Carter Scheeler (160) finished third, and Cason Demarais (107), Brody Sieben (114), Ricky Vaquera Valencia (133) and, wrestling unattached, Eli Hernandez (172) finished fourth. Ryder Schmidt (152) also competed for the Eagles, but fell short of placing.

As for other Cub place winners, James Schiefelbein (145) placed third, Frank Schiefelbein (152) and Garret Rosenow (215) fifth, and Miles Looman (121) and Jon Serbus (172) sixth. Lance Schiefelbein (107), Max Schiefelbein (114), Ryder Schwieters (133) and, wrestling unattached, Cody Hendricks (133) also competed for the Cubs, but fell short of placing.

Next action: Eagles

After hitting the road to face Le Seur-Henderson on Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Eagles compete in a tournament at Red Rock Central on Friday, Jan. 24.

Next action: Cubs

The Cubs hit the road to face Royalton on Thursday, Jan. 23.