Tigers wrestle Big Ole tourney

Six members of the Morris Area/Hancock/ Chokio-Alberta wrestling team advanced to the final matches of the 39th annual Big Ole Tournament in Alexandria last weekend.

Wrestling in the 135-pound championship match, senior Josh Nelson took second place, falling to Alexandria's Lucas Betterman 4-3. Earlier in the semifinals, Nelson won a 16-13 decision over Aaron Doraska of Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg.

Eric Goette took third place at 130 pounds, pinning Zach Steffenson of Minnewaska in 1:49. In the semifinals, Goette lost a 16-13 decision to Cameron Hanson of ROCORI, who finished in second place.

Jeff Knobloch lost the 189-pound third-place match by fall in 4:38 to Alex Weiman of ROCORI.

Tony Domnick took fifth place at 103 pounds pinning Gage Sonczalla of Alexandria in 4:14. In the semifinals, Domnick lost by fall in 3:42 to the eventual champion at 103, Mitch Steffens of Wadena-Deer Creek.

Tanner Berning also finished with a fifth-place medal at 152 pounds by winning a 6-1 decision over Brandon Vanwatermulen of Frazee. In the 152-pound semifinals, Berning lost a 4-2 decision to Ben Gaughan of Moorhead who advanced to take second place.

Ryan Beyer lost a 10-8 decision to Josiah Reiswig of Moorhead in the 160-pound fifth-place match. In the semifinals, Beyer lost by fall in 3:07 to the eventual 160-pound champion from K-M-S, Kevin Steinhaus.