Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN
NORTHFIELD — The Rochester Community and Technical College wrestling team opened its dual meet season Wednesday with an easy 38-3 win over the St. Olaf junior varsity team.
Rochester, which begins the season ranked No. 3 nationally in the NJCAA DIII poll, got wins at nine out of 10 weights, including one win by forfeit at 174 pounds.
"The team wrestled very well," said Rochester head coach Randy Rager. "We controlled each match from start to the finish. It was good, aggressive wrestling which allowed us to breakdown the opponent physically and mentally."
Rochester’s only pin came from Ethan Hackbarth at 184, with a first-period fall over St. Olaf’s Paul Reily. Rochester’s Jake Orth at 157 and Devin Clark at 197 both won by major decisions.
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Hackbarth is ranked No. 2 at 174, and Rochester’s Parker Brand, who did not wrestle, is ranked No. 4 at 197. Brand has been out with a hand injury but should return to the lineup soon, Rager said.
"It is a lot of fun to see our team wrestle," Rager said. "Most of them are local kids and they have developed a close team bond; you could see it on the bench."
The Yellow Jackets are off until a Dec. 6 quadrangular meet at Northern Iowa Area Community College. Rochester’s first home match is Dec. 10 against Itasca, beginning at 6 p.m.
RCTC 38, ST. OLAF JV 3
(Wednesday at Northfield)
125 — Dan Anderson (RCTC) def. Brian Cross 9-3. 133 — Ryan Timmerman (StO) def. Jade Mehling 8-4. 141 — Lee Burg (RCTC) def. Nathan Waslaski 5-2. 149 — Jake Zeiher (RCTC) won by forfeit. 157 — Jake Orth (RCTC) def. Ian Gacheru 18-6. 165 — Luke Evjen (RCTC) def. Josef Waples 6-5. 174 — RCTC wins by forfeit. 184 — Ethan Hackbarth (RCTC) pinned Paul Reily 0:54. 197 — Devin Clark (RCTC) def. William Molano 15-6. Hwt — Tyler Lindhart (RCTC) def. Justin Luthey 4-1.
