Pitts, Schmitz take first in individual section tourneys

By Andrew Miller
Interim News Editor

Warrior wrestlers Michael Pitts and Kaleb Schmitz dished out a good many floggings this past weekend.

The two local grapplers each took first place in their weight categories at the individual section tournament in Rochester. Their first place finishes qualified them for the state tournament in St. Paul later this week.

Pitts, a senior at Caledonia High School, was the No. 1 seed in the 125-pound division. And in Rochester he wrestled like he deserved that seeding.

"Michael didnít have a whole lot of trouble," Warrior coach Jay Tolleson said. "He really took care of business.

Pitts pinned his opponent in the first round, beat his second opponent 4-0, and then registered another pin in the championship round.

"Michael pinned him in the first period ó heís a really physical wrestler and heís strong," Tolleson said.

Pittsí win in the finals was also his 100th career win with the Warrior wrestling program. This year will be his second trip to state.

Schmitz, also a senior, was the No. 6 seed in the 130-pound division. He beat the No. 3 seed in his opening match, came up with a 13-6 win in the semifinals, and then in the championship defeated a Plainview wrestler whoíd handed him a loss earlier in the season.

"Kaleb really stepped it up this weekend," Tolleson said.

This was the second year Schmitz qualified for the state tournament, having placed second at the section tournament last year.

Pitts and Schmitz are each scheduled to wrestle in the state tournament at 10 a.m. Thursday at the XCel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Tolleson is optimistic about their prospects, and is confident Pitts and Schmitz will be able to step up in the spotlight.

"This is it, thereís no tomorrow," he said. "Either one of those two guys could come out and win it."

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