By Tom Murphy
Special for the Argus

"It was a rough day," Caledonia/Houston wrestling coach Jay Tolleson said of the quadrangular meet rotated to Kasson-Mantorville last Saturday. The Warriors competed with the host Komets, Albert Lea, and Plainview-Elgin-Millville (PEM).Ý

"We had about five guys out of the lineup and we faced three ranked teams," Tolleson said of the proceedings.

K-M, ranked 12th in the state AA and a favorite in the section, handed the Warriors a 53-18 loss.Ý

Willie Krage opened with a victory over "a tough opponent winning 5-3." When Tyler Krage pinned his K-M opponent at 1:30 and Owen Fitzgerald followed with a pin at 1:40, the Warriors thought they had a chance in the meet, trailing only 21-15. But Troy Frank had the only victory of the remaining wrestlers. Frank was behind 6-5 with 15 seconds left and tried a desperation move and it worked. He won 8-6.

Tolleson also talked of the wrestling of Cullen Becker who lost a tough 5-4 decision. "Cullen was not feeling well," the coach said.Ý

The Warriors then faced PEM, who Tolleson says is the clear choice to win the section title this year. They lost 56-10. When PEM and K-M faced off, PEM won without much trouble.

Willie Krage came out and showed he will be an effective leadoff this year and won 6-3. Tanner Benson won 12-9 in double overtime. After a reversal and a three point near fall, he held an 11-6 lead.

Owen Fitzgerald had a major decision. "Owen proved to be the most consistent and best wrestler on our team on Saturday," Tolleson said. Becker lost a 15-6 match against a state qualifier of a year ago at 152. Tolleson reported that Frank "was right in his match until the end." Blake Knutson showed his youth when he was pinned after a mistake, although the score was only 5-0 at the time.

Albert Lea is ranked in the big school class and it beat PEM by three points when those teams met. Albert Lea won 65-12 over the Warriors.

It was the 145 pound weight class before the Warriors won. Fitzgerald won by a fall and was followed by Becker's fall to put the Warriors down 36-12.Ý

"All I can tell our kids is that we are young. I tried to stress these were the three toughest teams we would face this year," Tolleson said.Ý

Willie Krage finished the challenge with a 2-1 record and is 4-2 on the year. Owen Fitzgerald was 3-0 on Saturday and is now 5-1 on the season.Ý

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