Multiple SVE freshmen make varsity wrestling debut

The Spring Valley/Elmwood Cardinals wrestling team received balanced contributions from experienced seniors and rookie freshmen alike in the 54-24 dual victory at home against Durand on Thursday, Jan. 12.

Although forfeits were a common theme on both sides throughout the dual, Spring Valley/Elmwood wrestlers earned victories in four of the seven matches on Thursday night. For SV/E head coach Gable Frandsen, the dual against Durand was a chance for young freshmen to experience varsity wrestling for the first time.

Perhaps no SV/E freshman had a better debut match than Doost Kaker, who earned his first career win by securing a pin in the first round of the 145-pound match against Durand freshman Devin Wahlborg. Coach Frandsen spoke about Kaker’s debut varsity victory.

“Doost Kaker won his match. This is his very first year wrestling, he’s from Afghanistan,” Frandsen said. “He started from scratch and is a very quick learner. We’re excited for him for the next couple of years.”

SV/E freshman Riley Volz also made his varsity debut for the Cardinals in the 138-pound match against Durand freshman Brady Mansmith. Volz fell behind 2-0 after the first period and then got pinned just 30 seconds into the second period.

Other SV/E freshman action included Logan Froh, who got pinned in the first period of the 132-pound match by Durand sophomore Joey Baker. SV/E freshman Joe Carlson lost in the 285-pound match against Durand senior Ethan Brunner.

While some freshmen left with victory and others with defeat, all of them gained valuable experience on the mat. For coach Frandsen, getting varsity experience and continuing to hone their skills in practice will make this young group – which includes six freshmen – a great team in years to come.

“Yeah, we’re for sure a young team,” Frandsen said. “We’re a really young team that has big potential. With more work and experience, I think we’re going to be looking good in the next couple of years.”

While the freshmen were gaining valuable experience, some of the older senior wrestlers took care of business against the younger Durand competition. SV/E senior Brody Bleskacek pinned Durand junior Katherine Sillars less than 30 seconds into the 160-pound match.

Two matches later, SV/E senior Keegan Merth squared off with Durand sophomore Magnus Lukic in the 182-pound bout. Merth and Lukic battled to a 2-2 tie after a hardfought first period. Less than 30 seconds into the second period, Merth gained position and secured a pinfall victory over Lukic.

Durand’s sparse roster struggled to fill all the weight classes and forfeited five matches on Thursday night which ultimately helped the Cardinals earn the aforementioned 54-24 victory.

For Spring Valley/Elmwood freshman Jack Steinmeyer, receiving a forfeit victory against Durand resulted in a much-needed day off. Steinmeyer has been battling a ligament strain in his knee since the Ellsworth Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Since then, Steinmeyer has seen limited action but managed to compete in the Northern Badger Wrestling Classic in River Falls just over three weeks ago, where he made a run through the 220-pound consolation bracket.

For Coach Frandsen, getting Steinmeyer healthy is one of the biggest priorities this season, as he is currently the No. 13-ranked 220-pound wrestler in Division 3 in Wisconsin, according to WisconsinGrappler.com. Frandsen spoke about Steinmeyer’s health and what he might be capable of this season.

“He’s been dealing with an injury since the Ellsworth Invite. He wasn’t supposed to wrestle at the Northern Badger, but he did,” Frandsen said. “He wasn’t 100% there, so now we’re trying to get him healthy for regionals, that’s why we’re glad he had a forfeit tonight. I’d like Steinmeyer to go to state, and if he’s healthy he could.”

Steinmeyer has by far been the best Spring Valley/Elmwood wrestler through the first two months of the season. He has won 11 of his 14 matches – some of them while not 100% healthy – and is the only ranked wrestler on the Cardinals roster.

However, because of his lingering injury, he has yet to face much high-level competition. Frandsen spoke about Steinmeyer’s potential timetable for return and some of the upcoming matches.

“He hasn’t been able to wrestle many of the ranked guys yet, but I’m excited for him to wrestle when he’s healthy and 100% with his knee,” Frandsen said of his freshman 220-pounder. “If he’s healthy enough for Boyceville next week, he will run into their guy who is ranked fifth in the state. They wrestled in middle school and Jack (Steinmeyer) would beat him.”

For Frandsen, getting healthy is the top priority before regionals begin in the second week of February. Spring Valley/Elmwood will be back in action with another Dunn-St. Croix Conference dual meet against Boyceville on Thursday, Jan. 19. That match is slated to begin at 7 p.m. at Spring Valley High School.

Spring Valley/Elmwood senior Brody Bleskacek looks up at the clock just moments before pinning Durand junior Katherine Sillars in the 160-pound match on Thursday evening. Photo by Reagan Hoverman