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By Kasi Greenwood
As tradition continues, Mineral Point and River Valley began their season in dual meet competition Tuesday with the Pointers winning 54-19.
Mineral Point brings back seniors Caden Carey, Danny Pittz, and Logan Schmitz who all advanced to the state level last February.
Other seniors back included Garrett Ward, and Kyle Vondra.
Vondra, Pittz and Ward all started their senior years with solid pins against River Valley.
"Ward got it going for us, and came away with a great pin that got the ball rolling," Mineral Point wrestling coach Scott Schmitz said.
For Vondra, Schmitz adds, "It's a good win for him to start the year off. We're going to expect big things out of Kyle in the coming year."
Solid wins for Mineral Point also came from seniors Logan Schmitz, and Caden Carey. In Schmitz's match, he came back against Valley's Devan Alt with a decision of 5-0.
"Last time he wrestled Alt he lost, so he got a little revenge there," Schmitz said. "He looked good throughout the whole match."
Mineral Point's sophomore Daniel Nordstrom went against twotime state champion Shane Liegel at 195. Liegel continued his undefeated streak from last year and finished ahead of Nordstrom by a fall.
"Shane did a good job," said River Valley head coach Pat Mahoney. "He went out and controlled his opponent."
"I thought Daniel did a nice job battling with him," Pointer head coach Scott Schmitz said. "Daniel stayed positive throughout the whole match, and when he came offthe mat he already began asking questions. That's what I like to see in kids."
Although coming up short against Brock Mahoney, positivity continued for Point sophomore Mason Horn at 220, as it is his first year with Pointer Nation.
"He's excited about wrestling, and that's all you can ask for," Schmitz said.
There were forfeits at 106, 120, 145 and 170 for Mineral Point.
Although two pins came from River Valley starting the match, there were some tough matches for the Black Hawks as many of the team is still young.
"Mineral Point's got a really nice team," Mahoney said. "They did some same set up things for us. You just learn as the match goes on they do one thing, and they do it again. It's just getting better, learning, and getting into better shape.
"It's the first meet of the year and it'll be just improving all around," Mahoney added.
Results
195: Shane Liegel (RIVA) over Daniel Nordstorm (MIPO) (Fall 1:13) 220: Brock Mahoney (RIVA) over Mason Horn (MIPO) (Fall 1:07) 285: Garrett Ward (MIPO) over Ben Muhr (RIVA) (Fall 3:03) 106: Colbi Carey (MIPO) over (RIVA) (For.) 113: Jimmy Jennings (RIVA) over Ross Lindsey (MIPO) (MD 12-1) 120: Keigan Yager (MIPO) over (RIVA) 126: Hayden Bakken (MIPO) over Cole White (RIVA) (Fall 3:17) 132: Danny Pittz (MIPO) over Keeghan Kjos (RIVA) (Fall 3:41) 138: Caden Carey (MIPO) over Rowen Wipperfurth (RIVA) (Dec 4-0) 145: Kane Gunderson (MIPO) over (RIVA) (For.) 152: Logan Schmitz (MIPO) over Devan Alt (RIVA) (Dec 5-0) 160: Cayden Robson (RIVA) over Nolan Springer (MIPO) (MD 10-1) 170: Mason Hughes (MIPO) over (RIVA) (For.) 182: Kyle Vondra (MIPO) over Logan Tonstad (RIVA) (Fall 0:31)