Eagle Grapplers Steamroll Prior Lake
Top-ranked Eagles started fast, didn’t look back in defeat of #5 Lakers
Apple Valley’s Prince Hyeamang (gold) takes down Prior Lake’s Calvin Sund. Hyeamang won 10-4
The Apple Valley wrestling team has lost four conference matches in 40 years. They didn’t even come close to losing another on Friday night.
The Eagles used a fast start from the lower weight classes to dash out to a 32-0 lead and didn’t look back, taking down Prior Lake 62-6.
Apple Valley sophomore Peyton McLagan got things rolling early with a fall at 106 pounds. Couple that with a Prior Lake forfeit at 113 pounds, and the Eagles led 12-0 heading into a key match at 120 pounds between two wrestlers competing up a weight class: Apple Valley’s Nate Larson (#1, 113 lbs.) and Prior Lake’s Curtis LeMair (#4, 113 lbs.).
“I’ve wrestled him before, and it’s always been close,” Larson said. “I knew I had to wrestle hard.”
Neither wrestler seemed to gain the upper hand during the match. After three rounds, the two remained deadlocked at 1-1, which called for an overtime period. Larson wasted little time in the extra session, however, as an early takedown gave him a 3-1 decision. The win gave Larson a big victory over a ranked opponent, but more importantly injected momentum into his team.
Apple Valley’s Nate Larson (gold) wrestles Prior Lake’s Curtis LeMair
No stranger to being an early spark, Larson knows the importance of victories in the lower weights.
“Last year, I was the same guy–at 106[pounds]–getting it started,” he said. “Getting early wins helps to fire up your team, and it shows on the scoreboard.”
The rest of the Eagles picked up right where Larson left off.
Apple Valley won its final six matches–including falls by Mark Hall, Tyler Kim, Gable Steveson, and Tanyi Besong–and dropped only one contest en route to a comfortable victory.
“I was just happy with all the guys,” said Apple Valley head coach Dalen Wasmund. “Our kids wrestled hard and that’s what we look for.”
Friday’s victory over a potential section opponent marks the beginning of playoff preparation for the Eagles, who look to defend their state title for an 11th straight year. As the top-ranked team in Minnesota, the chance is there for a repeat.
“We told the guys it’s a climb,” Wasmund said. “We expect everybody’s best shot.”
BASKETBALL TEAMS COMPLETE SWEEP OF PRIOR LAKE
Both Eagle basketball teams headed to Prior Lake on Friday night for a doubleheader against the Lakers. The girls opened the evening with a 67-65 nail-biter win, led by Marie Olson’s 19 points. Aleya Parker added 14, and Erin Baxter had 11 for the Eagles.
The boys also came away victorious, beating Prior Lake 86-50. Gary Trent Jr. led Apple Valley with 33 points. Tre Jones (12 pts), Cameron Kirksey (12 pts), and Luke Martens (10 pts) also scored in double figures for the second-ranked Eagles.
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