The Detroit Lakes Wrestling Boosters hosted the 7th Annual Northwest Old-timers Tournament at Detroit Lakes High School on March 11, 2006. There were 68 wrestlers and 4 teams competing for titles in 12 weight classes, ranging from 145 pounds to heavyweight. The lightest wrestler weighed in at 138 pounds, and the heaviest was 309 pounds. The individual champions earned fleece pullovers for their efforts, while the top team won a trophy. Tournament organizers Nate Weber and Tom Trowbridge were satisfied with the turnout. “Once again, the level of competition was quite good, and everyone, including the fans, had a good time,” commented Trowbridge.
The team trophy went to the Women’s Athletics team, which consisted of Brent Heinz, Aaron Wells, Jeremy Lang, Andy Lancaster and Tyler Trieglaff. They finished with 4 champions and a runner up, eclipsing the field with 78 total points. The All Stars (Alex Carlin, Cory Winter, Matt Lowers, Steve Peterson and Jesse Barnacle) finished in second place with 59 points.
Team Champions.
Brent Heinz (Buffalo) won his 5th straight Northwest title in the 8-man 145-pound bracket. He advanced to the finals on two falls, and finished with a 9-1 major decision over Matt Lessard (formerly of Crookston). T.J. Severance (formerly from Wheaton) took 3rd place, and Jake Anderson (Pelican Rapids) took the consolation title over Tony Sorum (Oslo). The 44 year old Sorum, who coaches at Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, was presented the “Oldest Wrestler” award.
Justin Lessard (Crookston) claimed the top spot in the 4-man 150-pound bracket on a 4-2 decision over Roger Keskey of Saint Cloud. Alex Tiffany took third place with a 6-0 decision over former Laker Dominic Horne.
The 8-man 165-pound bracket belonged to the All Stars, as Cory Winter defeated teammate Jesse Barnacle (formerly of Deer River) 3-2 in the finals. Third Place went to former champion “Reen Masheen” – who is rumored to be T.J. Anderson. Dusty Burton (Coleraine) was the Consolation Champion.
Steve Peterson of Chisago (and former Hawley coach) claimed the 175 pound title with a 3-1 decision in double overtime over Eric Pokornowski (Duluth). Peterson advanced to the final round in an overtime decision. “Apparently, he was trying to get his money’s worth after a first round bye”, commented Trowbridge. Brandon Lennox (Fargo) took 3rd place by fall over Bobby Schmidt (Detroit Lakes). Max Saarinen, another former Laker, took the Consolation title.
David Snyder (Deer Creek) won his 4th title with a 4-0 decision over Wheaton’s Dennis Sykora in the 4-man 178-pound bracket. Sykora advanced to the finals by defeating tournament organizer Trowbridge in a 2-0 decision. Trowbridge finished in third place with a fall over Duane Korfe (Staples).
Matt Lowers (formerly of Wadena) claimed his second title in the 4-man 180-pound bracket. He defeated Ryan Krumwiede (formerly of Perham) by a fall in the championship match. Paul Frisch finished in third place.
A pair of brothers met in the 185-pound title match. In the 8-man bracket, Matt Tiffany came out on top of his brother Austin by a 12-3 major decision. It was a crowd-pleasing match, as they pulled out all of the moves that could only be learned in the family living room. Fester Halonen (Kingston) defeated Frazee’s Isaac Ratz for 3rd place, and Colby Bruns took the Consolation Title over former Laker Trevor Julian.
Aaron Wells (Madison Lake) won the 4-man 189-pound bracket with a 9-3 decision over Joel Goldsmith (formerly of Fosston). Former Laker Ryan Ortiz took third place.
Zach Bruns (Alexandria) cruised to the title in the 200-pound weight class, defeating Buck Hernandez (Cokato) 3-0, and Hugh Trowbridge (Comstock) 9-0. Trowbridge finished second, Hernandez took 3rd, and Alex Carlin (St. Cloud) won the Consolation Title in the 6-man bracket.
At 210 pounds, Jeremy Lang (Sartell) won his second Northwest title with a fall over Tom Hines (formerly of Barnesville). Rounding out the 7-man bracket, Paul Panitzke placed 3rd, and James Wychor took the Consolation Title. Panitzke won the prize for traveling the farthest distance to compete, coming all the way from Red Wing, Minnesota.
“Bigg Dave” (from Dassel) claimed his second 230-pound title in a 4-man bracket. He defeated Frazee’s Tyler Trieglaff 6-4 in the title match. Barnesville’s Matt Jorud finished in 3rd place.
In the heavyweight division, Andy Lancaster (Clarissa) defeated Brett Bishop (Park Rapids) 1-0 for his 6th tournament championship. Former Laker Joey Fingalson took 3rd place in the 5-man bracket.
Individual Champions.
Tournament organizers Weber and Trowbridge thank all who came, and especially all those who helped, including referees Mark Anderson, Paul Anderson, Jason Harrier and Shane Tappe. “We expect that next year’s tournament will be held on the first Saturday after the State Wrestling Tournament, and hope to see everybody back again”, commented Trowbridge.
INDIVDUAL RESULTS:
Championship matches
145 lbs. Heinz dec. M. Lessard, 9-1
150 lbs. J. Lessard dec. Keskey, 4-2
165 lbs. Winter dec. Barnacle, 3-2
175 lbs. Peterson dec. Pokornowski, 3-1 2 O.T.
178 lbs. Snyder dec. Sykora, 4-0
180 lbs. Lowers over R. Krumwiede, Fall 2:32
185 lbs. M. Tiffany dec. A. Tiffany, 12-3
189 lbs. Wells dec. Goldsmith, 9-3
200 lbs. Z. Bruns dec. H. Trowbridge, 9-0
210 lbs. Lang over Hines, Fall 1:48
230 lbs. Dave dec. Trieglaff, 6-4
HWT Lancaster dec. Bishop, 1-0
Third Place Matches
145 lbs. Severance dec. Hackmann, 6-0
150 lbs. A. Tiffany dec. Horne, 6-0
165 lbs. Masheen dec. Fridgen, 5-0
175 lbs. Lennox over Schmidt, Fall 1:56
178 lbs. T. Trowbridge over Korfe, Fall 0:24
180 lbs. Frisch over Lundeen, Inj. Dflt.
185 lbs. Halonen dec. Ratz, 4-2
189 lbs. Ortiz dec. Koelt, 8-6
200 lbs. Hernandez dec. Palmer, 5-3 O.T.
210 lbs. Panitzke dec. Stelter, 2-0
230 lbs. Jorud dec. Hanson, 3-0
HWY Fingalson over Kisner, Fall 0:46
Consolation Championship
145 lbs. Anderson over Sorum, Tech. Fall
165 lbs. Burton dec. Hamer, 4-3
175 lbs. Saarinen dec. J. Krumwiede, 4-2
185 lbs. C. Bruns over Julian, FF
200 lbs. Carlin dec. Schultz, 15-2
210 lbs. Wychor over Glynn, Inj. Dflt.
TEAM RESULTS
1. Women’s Athletics 78 points
2. All Stars 59 points
3. Pirates 27 points
4. The Cripples 25 points