The weekend of Dec. 7-8 will be a big one in Jackson.
On Pearl Harbor Day on Friday, Dec. 7, the Jackson County
Central wrestling program will honor the nation’s veterans; a couple of its
former wrestlers attending the Air Force Academy; and host a series of eight
dual meets.
On Saturday, Dec. 8, the Huskies will host a tournament
with both varsity and JV divisions.
College Quad
Friday’s “Battle of the Planes” event involves
four college teams and three high school teams based in five states.
On hand for the college duals will be NCAA Division I Air
Force Academy, NCAA Division II power Augustana and a pair of NAIA schools from
the Great Plains Athletic Conference, Dakota Wesleyan and Northwestern College.
Also, two-time defending Minnesota Class 1A champion
Jackson County Central will wrestle duals against two schools from Fargo.
Two JCC graduates are on the Air Force roster.
Senior Cole Von Ohlen has wrestled in three NCAA Division
I tournaments and has started his senior season by winning tournaments at
Virginia Tech and Nebraska-Kearney. He’s tied the Falcons’ career record for
falls.
In high school at JCC, he was a two-time state champion
and three-time state finalist.
A Military Appreciation Night event honoring veterans is
scheduled for that evening, followed by a brief program to recognize VonOhlen’s
accomplishments.
Also on the Falcons’ roster is freshman Willie Baker. He’s
placed in two tournaments this season, placing third at the Cowboy Open in
Laramie, Wyo. and fourth at Kearney.
Another Minnesota wrestler on the Air Force roster is Adam
Jackson of Rosemount (freshman, 157-165).
In the high school portion, JCC is scheduled to face Fargo
North at 6:30 and Fargo Davies at 8 p.m.
The Fargo North Spartans return three state place winners
from last year in senior Tom Walton (first at 106), junior Anthony Coronato
(eighth, 120) and junior Olaf Hanson (eighth, 220).
The Fargo Davies Eagles bring back six place winners in
freshman Bryce Burnside (eighth, 113), senior Cole Mehring (first, 132), junior
Cole Alexander (seventh, 145), senior Darren Crissler (sixth, 152), junior
Zander Mairs (sixth, 170) and sophomore Nick Kjera (eighth, 195).
JCC has four state place winners, senior Elliot Jurries
(fifth, 126), sophomore Paden Moore (fifth, 145), sophomore Luke Norland
(fourth, 152) and senior Darick Vancura (first, 160).
Schedule of events:
3:30 p.m. – Air Force vs. Dakota Wesleyan; Augustana
College vs. Northwestern
5:00 p.m. – Dakota Wesleyan vs. Augustana; Northwestern
vs. Air Force
6:30 p.m. – Dakota Wesleyan vs. Northwestern; JCC vs.
Fargo North
7:45 p.m. – Military Appreciation Night
7:55 p.m. – Cole Von Ohlen recognition
8:00 p.m. – Air Force Academy vs. Augustana; JCC vs. Fargo
Davies
Pizza Ranch tournament
On Saturday, Dec. 8, the annual Pizza Ranch Invitational
will be held at JCC High School, with 16 schools from four states represented.
The varsity tourney will be held in the main gym, with a JV tourney in the
auxiliary gym.
Minnesota teams are host Jackson County Central, Adrian,
Eagan, Fulda/Murray County Central, Hayfield, Luverne, New Ulm,
Wabasha-Kellogg, Wabasso, Windom/Mountain Lake and Worthington/Round
Lake-Brewster.
There are two teams from Iowa, Sioux City East and Spirit
Lake and Fargo Davies and Fargo North representing Rounding out the field is
Harrisburg, S.D.
