According to wrestling coach Paul Mann it’s all about getting better at the end of the season. The KoMets showed they are peaking at the right time by avenging an early season loss to Plainview Elgin-Millville Saturday night. They dominated the Bulldogs 36-16 to earn their third trip to state in the last six years and fourth overall.

The 23-8 KoMets were almost flawless in the win, even in the losses they suffered. Coach Mann sighted the 3-0 loss by Darrin Allen at 152 to defending state champion Blaine Miller. “That was like a win for us,” said the K-M coach. “We stayed off our back in the tough part of their lineup.”

Coach Mann said this could be the best team he has coached at K-M and Saturday night the team did little to disprove that. “I was really proud of our kids. I think they showed they wanted it more,” said Mann.

K-M freshman Nate Thomas was able to give the team a boost of confidence when he controlled Aaron Haley 7-4 in the opening match. Then Tony Morrow, nursing a knee injury, showed few ill effects in an 11-3 win over Dylan Seim. Donovan Sullivan then followed with a 5-0 decision over Nick Wingert to give the KoMets a 10-0 start.

Freshman Coltan Laganiere earned a takedown in the final seconds of the 125 pound match, but came up just short 7-6 against unbeaten senior Ben Swanson.

Garret Garness (130) won by forfeit and Miles Brannan (135) scored a tech fall win at 3:41 of the second period. Jason Cirksena had an escape and takedown in a 3-1 win over Cody Dillinger at 140. Coach Mann called this match pivotal and one K-M needed. Cirksena’s win built the margin to 24-3.

Another K-M freshman, Corben Hansen (145), put up a strong fight against Jack Ihrke, losing a high scoring match 11-9. PEM won at 152 when Blaine Miller took a 3-0 decison over Darrin Allen in a battle PEM needed to have the pin. Zach Schreiber lost 2-1 at 160 to give PEM four consecutive wins, but more important, only 13 points in the “meat” of their lineup.

After Ethan Damon lost 14-4 at 171 K-M was able to get a pair of big wins at 189 and 215 from a freshman and a sophomore. Freshman Broc Berge scored three takedowns to defeat Daren Wingert 7-4 and lock up the team championship.

Eighth grader Sam Stoll followed with an impressive 5-2 win over PEM senior Coby Makela. Heavyweight Casey Johnson put an explanation point in the books with a second period fall over Lee Graves at 3:59 of the second period.

“These kids were able to get the job done. They believed in themselves,” said coach Mann. “They worked hard to get this.”

K-M 48 - Caledonia 15

K-M won the first five matches against the Warriors and 11 of 14 overall to set up the final with PEM.

Nate Thomas won on a tech fall 23-8, Brandon Schorr picked up a 5-1 decision, Donovan Sullivan pinned Jacob Swindell in 1:31, Coltan Laganiere squeezed out a 2-1 win and Garret Garness earned a pin at 3:53 of the second period to give the KoMets a 23-0 start.

At 135 Miles Brannan lost 9-2 and the KoMets proceeded to win the next three and put the match away. Corben Hansen (140) shut out John Ellenz 6-0, Jason Cirksena won a 12-0 major decision and Darrin Allen (152) pulled out a 5-4 win over Shane Loken.

When Dakota Hanson lost by fall at 160, Zach Schreiber (171) and Broc Berge (189) followed with wins. Schreiber pinned Casey Stemper at 3:19 of the second period and Berge picked up a fall 47 seconds into the second period.

Tully Hovda lost on a fall and Casey Johnson had to go the distance against 26-2 Austin Georgen to earn a 4-3 decision.

Freshman Nate Thomas (103) provided K-M with some early energy as he topped PEM junior Aaron Haley 7-4. He scored a takedown after taking Haley’s feet out from under him. Photo by Bob Abramson.

K-M eighth grader Sam Stoll (215) puts the squeeze on a Waseca wrestler and gets the fall at 3:46 of the second period. Photo by Bob Abramson.

K-M senior Miles Brannan (135) gets back points on his way to a tech fall win over PEM’s Devon Hanson. Photo by Randy Carlsen.