Kimball wrestlers lost a close match against BBE Thursday, Dec. 11. In the first dual meet of the year Kimball lost a close conference match to BBE by a score of 41 to 39. The young Cubs gave up to many pins. Getting pins for Kimball were Gary Salmela (130), Erich Deutsch (135), Dan Barthel (140), and Jeremy Dahnke (160). Saturday, Dec. 13 the Cubs went to the Milaca Dual Tournament and placed sixth out of eight teams. Kimball lost to a very much-improved Mound Westonka team by a score of 43-26. Chris Barthel (140) and Gary Salmela (125) each got a pin to lead the Cubs scoring. In the second match of the day, Kimball beat Ogilive with a score of 48-25.Picking up pins for Kimball were Gary Salmela (125) and David Dahnke (130). Erich Deutsch (130) and Ryan Nutter (189) both wrestled very well to get close wins. In the final match, the Cubs wrestled their best match as a team so far this year. The final score was Kimball-34 and Albany-36. The wrestlers came out, wrestled very aggressively and did not give up. After giving up 18 points in the first 3 matches the Cubs slowly came back with a major decision by Gary Salmela (125) an injury default for David Dahnke (130), falls by Erich Deutsch (135) and Dan Barthel (140). The next three weights all wrestled very well but came out on the short end of the score losing in overtime and two very close scores. Aaron Dahlinger (171) and Peter Jonas (hwt) each picked up a pin to finish the scoring for Kimball. Gary Salmela (125) and David Dahnke each went 3-0 for the day. The team continues to improve as we get everyone back in the lineup and at the right weight. Next up will be the Royalton Tournament Jan. 3 with a start time of 9 a.m.
