Kassson-Mantorville grad Sam Stollis off to a strong start to his collegiate wrestling career at Iowa.
Stoll is a redshirt freshman and is the starting lineup at 285 pounds for Iowa, ranked No. 2 in the nation. Stoll is currently ranked No. 7 in the country at 285 and he has posted a pair of wins against top-10 foes this season.
His latest win against a ranked opponent came against Minnesota All-American Michael Kroells. Stoll posted a 7-3 decision over Kroells, ranked No. 9, in Iowa's one-sided 34-6 over the 23rd-ranked Gophers this past week.
"We've been talking about Sam Stoll for a long time," Iowa coach Tom Brandssaid in a release following the win over Minnesota. "There was a question mark and I don't think there's a question mark any more. The only thing would be how consistent will he be going forward, and what happens when you get into the postseason. He carries himself as a veteran. Don't let a big event on the calendar against your home state get to you, but going out there and performing. The big guy can move too."
Stoll is currently 18-2 and his only losses have been to the wrestlers ranked No. 1 and 4 at 285. He has won his last eight matches and he has seven pins, including four straight at one stretch.
ADVERTISEMENT
———
Zumbrota native Gus Bradley, the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, helped guide the South to a 27-16 victory over the North in the Senior Bowl on Saturday in a college All-Star football game.
Bradley and the rest of the Jaguars staff coached the South team. University of Minnesota wide receiver K.J. Mayewas a member of the South team.
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentzwas on the North squad. He was a modest 6-for-10 passing for 50 yards in the Senior Bowl, but Wentz has seen his stock rise quickly in regards to the upcoming NFL draft. Wentz, a North Dakota native, has been projected to be a top-five pick in the April draft.
Minnesota cornerback Eric Murraywas also on the North team.
———
Rochester's Bethany Schultzis a senior for the University of North Dakota women's track and field team.
Schultz has qualified for the Big Sky Conference Indoor Championship, which will be held Feb. 25-27 in Bozeman, Mont. Schultz qualified in the women's weight throw with a toss of 55 feet, 7 inches at the Jack Johnson Classic Invitational indoor track meet at the University of Minnesota on Saturday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Schultz's throw was a personal best by more than three feet, placed her eighth in the meet and met the standard for the upcoming Big Sky meet. She will complete her undergraduate studies this spring with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. The Century grad then plans to enroll and get a degree as a physician's assistant.
———
Paul Callahanand Brian Purrington, co-head boys track and field coaches at Century, were named Minnesota boys Class AA track Coach of the Year by the Minnesota State Coaches Association.
Callahan and Purrington received their award this past weekend at the annual track and field banquet in Bloomington.
———
The Rochester Honkers announced the addition of two more players, both from the University of California-Riverside, for the upcoming Northwoods League season.
Alex Fagaldeis a 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior right-handed pitcher from Ed Dorado Hills, Calif. He joined Riverside after spending two seasons at Cuesta Junior College in Calif. Fagalde finished his sophomore season 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 85 1/3 innings.
Casey Wordenis a 6-foot-3, 205-pound catcher from Newport Beach, Calif. He joined Riverside after two years playing at Saddleback Community College. He finished his sophomore year hitting .275 with three home runs and 18 RBIs. His father, Bill Worden, played professionally for six years, three in Class A and three in Double-A as third baseman, catcher and first baseman.
