by Scott DCamp
Sports Editor
Thief River Falls got scoring contributions from all 13 varsity wrestlers in a runner-up finish at the Army National Guard Prowler Invite girls tournament on Friday, Jan. 17 at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls.
“It was a successful tournament for our girls as we placed second out of 16 teams in total points, only losing to Bemidji who is currently ranked 3rd in the state as a team,” said Head Coach Dale Rystad.
Freshman Natalia Zoller recorded four wins by fall on her way to a championship at 148 pounds. She is already the all-time wins leader of the Prowler girls wrestling program, and on Friday, she became the first female wrestler to reach the 50-career wins milestone.
“Natalia Zoller had a first place finish with four decisive wins all coming by pin,” Rystad said. “Natalia also received her 50th career win after winning her first match of the night. As a ninth grader, this feat is very impressive, especially being only her second year of being in the sport.”
Joining Zoller at the top of the medal stand after a 4-0 performance at 124 pounds was Janaya Albers.
“Individually, eighth grader Janaya Albers had a great tournament with a first place win,” Rystad said. “Janaya is a first-year wrestler and has been progressing in the sport very nicely. I am looking forward to what Janaya can do this year and in future years with our program.”
The Prowlers got runner-up finishes from Lillian Lane, 94 pounds; Ellie Nelson, 100; Alora Green, 124; and Samantha Zoller, 170. Bella Seyller, 94; Maddie Poissant, 118; Molly Ferguson, 136; and Gabrielle Zoller, 142, added third place finishes.
“Samantha Zoller also had a great tournament with decisive wins,” Rystad said. “She wasn’t feeling 100 percent, as there have been some illnesses going around, but she still managed to make the finals match. Sam’s finals opponent was Maya Schmidt of Bemidji, who placed 3rd at the state tournament last year at a heavier weight-class. Although she did not win, Sam wrestled very tough and looks forward to wrestling the same girl in the coming weeks.
Prowler Invite
Team Scores
1. Bemidji 197.0; 2. Thief River Falls 142.5; 3. Pierz 70.5; 4. Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 65.5; 5. Hibbing 47.5; 6. Ottertail Central 47.0; 7. Nashwauk-Keewatin-Greenway 42.5; 8. United North Central 41.0; 9. Park Rapids Area 35.0; 9. Roseau 35.0; 11. Crookston 18.0; 12. Crosby-Ironton 12.0; 13. Minnewaska Area 7.0; 14. Barnesville 4.0; 14. Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale-Parkers Prairie 4.0.
94 – Lillian Lane (12-7) placed 2nd and scored 11.0 team points. Round 2 – Lillian Lane (Thief River Falls) 12-7 won by major decision over Bailee Rife (United North Central Warriors) 0-4 (MD 10-2); Round 3 – Lillian Lane (Thief River Falls) 12-7 won by fall over Avery Oyster (United North Central Warriors) 1-3 (Fall 3:18); Round 4 – Lillian Lane (Thief River Falls) 12-7 won by fall over Bella Seyller (Thief River Falls) 10-14 (Fall 1:51); Round 5 – Jasmine Barlow (Roseau) 10-6 won by fall over Lillian Lane (Thief River Falls) 12-7 (Fall 3:48).
94 – Bella Seyller (10-14) placed 3rd and scored 7.0 team points. Round 1 – Jasmine Barlow (Roseau) 10-6 won by fall over Bella Seyller Round 3 – Bella Seyller (Thief River Falls) 10-14 won by fall over Bailee Rife (United North Central Warriors) 0-4 (Fall 2:52); Round 4 – Lillian Lane (Thief River Falls) 12-7 won by fall over Bella Seyller (Thief River Falls) 10-14 (Fall 1:51); Round 5 – Bella Seyller (Thief River Falls) 10-14 won by fall over Avery Oyster (United North Central Warriors) 1-3 (Fall 2:55).
100 – Ellie Nelson (4-9) placed 2nd and scored 14.0 team points. Round 1 – Ellie Nelson (Thief River Falls) 4-9 won by fall over Meladina Jeffries (Hibbing) 3-9 (Fall 1:15) Round 2 – Taylor Merschman (Bemidji) 27-8 won by fall over Ellie Nelson (Thief River Falls) 4-9 (Fall 1:00); Round 3 – Ellie Nelson (Thief River Falls) 4-9 won by fall over Lillie Rogers (Minnewaska Area) 0-3 (Fall 0:25).
118 – Maddie Poissant (15-10) placed 3rd and scored 7.0 team points. Round 1 – Maddie Poissant (Thief River Falls) 15-10 won by fall over Amber Kremper (Bemidji) 19-17 (Fall 1:06); Round 2 – Masyn Arguelles (Crookston) 6-1 won by fall over Maddie Poissant (Thief River Falls) 15-10 (Fall 3:24); Round 4 – Maddie Poissant (Thief River Falls) 15-10 won by fall over Ella Rich (Ottertail Central Bulldogs) 9-18 (Fall 1:31); Round 5 – Myah Held (Pierz) 19-9 won by decision over Maddie Poissant (Thief River Falls) 15-10 (Dec 12-9).
JV 118 – Genevieve McMullen (1-17) placed 3rd. Round 1 – Genevieve McMullen (Thief River Falls) 1-17 won by fall over Synneva Flom (Bemidji) 0-14 (Fall 2:31); Round 2 – Mylee Vacura (Roseau) 8-11 won by tech fall over Genevieve McMullen (Thief River Falls) 1-17 (TF-1.5 4:41 (19-3); Round 3 – Maija Aho (United North Central Warriors) 3-0 won by fall over Genevieve McMullen (Thief River Falls) 1-17 (Fall 2:27).
124 – Alora Green (13-14) placed 2nd and scored 9.0 team points. Round 1 – Alora Green (Thief River Falls) 13-14 won by fall over Clara Rankin (Minnewaska Area) 0-4 (Fall 2:39); Round 2 – Janaya Albers (Thief River Falls) 17-8 won by major decision over Alora Green (Thief River Falls) 13-14 (MD 17-9); Round 3 – Alora Green (Thief River Falls) 13-14 won by decision over Mikayla Labarge (Hibbing) 14-8 (Dec 6-0); Round 5 – Alora Green (Thief River Falls) 13-14 won by major decision over Ella Leffleman (Bemidji) 7-7 (MD 16-6).
124 – Janaya Albers (17-8) placed 1st and scored 15.0 team points. Round 1 – Janaya Albers (Thief River Falls) 17-8 won by fall over Ella Leffleman (Bemidji) 7-7 (Fall 0:49); Round 2 – Janaya Albers (Thief River Falls) 17-8 won by major decision over Alora Green (Thief River Falls) 13-14 (MD 17-9); Round 4 – Janaya Albers (Thief River Falls) 17-8 won by fall over Clara Rankin (Minnewaska Area) 0-4 (Fall 2:22); Round 5 – Janaya Albers (Thief River Falls) 17-8 won by decision over Mikayla Labarge (Hibbing) 14-8 (Dec 14-9).
130 – Nora Martell (5-15) placed 5th and scored 7.0 team points. Quarterfinal – Annabelle Wuori (Bemidji) 19-14 won by tech fall over Nora Martell (Thief River Falls) 5-15 (TF-1.5 4:00 (19-3); Cons. Round 1 – Nora Martell (Thief River Falls) 5-15 received a bye; Cons. Semi – Grace Thorpe (Ottertail Central Bulldogs) 16-11 won by fall over Nora Martell (Thief River Falls) 5-15 (Fall 0:31); 5th Place Match – Nora Martell (Thief River Falls) 5-15 won by forfeit over Sadie Daniels (Minnewaska Area) 0-3 (For.).
136 – Molly Ferguson (17-7) placed 3rd and scored 17.5 team points. Quarterfinal – Molly Ferguson (Thief River Falls) 17-7 won by tech fall over Imrie Mistic (Bemidji) 11-12 (TF-1.5 0:00 (17-1); Semifinal – Ava Phillips (Pierz) 21-7 won by major decision over Molly Ferguson (Thief River Falls) 17-7 (MD 11-2); Cons. Semi – Molly Ferguson (Thief River Falls) 17-7 won by fall over Alyssa Witt (Ottertail Central Bulldogs) 15-12 (Fall 2:15); 3rd Place Match – Molly Ferguson (Thief River Falls) 17-7 won by fall over Imrie Mistic (Bemidji) 11-12 (Fall 2:57).
142 – Gabrielle Zoller (10-13) placed 3rd and scored 9.0 team points. Round 1 – Chasity Skerik (Bemidji) 29-9 won by fall over Gabrielle Zoller (Thief River Falls) 10-13 (Fall 3:53); Round 2 – Madilyn Pulk (Badger-GB-MR) 21-8 won by fall over Gabrielle Zoller (Thief River Falls) 10-13 (Fall 1:15); Round 3 – Gabrielle Zoller (Thief River Falls) 10-13 won by fall over Kate Pierce (Hibbing) 5-9 (Fall 1:52).
148 – Natalia Zoller (27-5) placed 1st and scored 18.0 team points. Round 2 – Natalia Zoller (Thief River Falls) 27-5 won by fall over Patricia Tooker (Bemidji) 8-12 (Fall 0:26); Round 3 – Natalia Zoller (Thief River Falls) 27-5 won by fall over Allison Perkins (Hibbing) 2-11 (Fall 0:22); Round 4 – Natalia Zoller (Thief River Falls) 27-5 won by fall over Victoria Colunga (Roseau) 7-14 (Fall 0:33); Round 5 – Natalia Zoller (Thief River Falls) 27-5 won by fall over Hattie Hanninen (United North Central Warriors) 3-1 (Fall 3:54).
155 – Kennedy Bakke (8-13) placed 6th and scored 3.0 team points. Quarterfinal – Brittney Gruber (Pierz) 6-2 won by fall over Kennedy Bakke (Thief River Falls) 8-13 (Fall 0:26); Cons. Round 1 – Kennedy Bakke (Thief River Falls) 8-13 received a bye; Cons. Semi – Skye Wofford (United North Central Warriors) 2-2 won in sudden victory – 1 over Kennedy Bakke (Thief River Falls) 8-13 (SV-1 3-0); 5th Place Match – Daphne Lundberg-Cameron (Thief River Falls) 7-11 won by fall over Kennedy Bakke (Thief River Falls) 8-13 (Fall 3:34).
155 – Daphne Lundberg-Cameron (7-11) placed 5th and scored 7.0 team points. Quarterfinal – Skye Wofford (United North Central Warriors) 2-2 won by fall over Daphne Lundberg-Cameron (Thief River Falls) 7-11 (Fall 1:05); Cons. Round 1 – Daphne Lundberg-Cameron (Thief River Falls) 7-11 received a bye; Cons. Semi – Brittney Gruber (Pierz) 6-2 won by fall over Daphne Lundberg-Cameron (Thief River Falls) 7-11 (Fall 2:08); 5th Place Match – Daphne Lundberg-Cameron (Thief River Falls) 7-11 won by fall over Kennedy Bakke (Thief River Falls) 8-13 (Fall 3:34).
170 – Samantha Zoller (21-6) placed 2nd and scored 18.0 team points. Quarterfinal – Samantha Zoller (Thief River Falls) 21-6 received a bye; Semifinal – Samantha Zoller (Thief River Falls) 21-6 won by fall over Gracie Boen (Badger-GB-MR) 8-10 (Fall 2:40); 1st Place Match – Maya Schmidt (Bemidji) 21-6 won by decision over Samantha Zoller (Thief River Falls) 21-6 (Dec 7-2).