The Prescott wrestling team is ready to return to the mat this winter with a few changes. Wrestlers will wear masks in each match as the state of Wisconsin has made it mandatory for the season. The teams will have a condensed season without in season tournaments as well.

The Cardinals had a team record last season of 2-5-1 but placed individual wrestlers in sectionals last season. Head coach Jordan Poirier is excited about his group has returning from 2019, “We have a pretty strong returning group of wrestlers. Alex Iberg and Sam Murphy were sectional qualifiers last year, along with Shawn Thomason. Alex Holt, Shane Butler and Benny Olson are also returning to help solidify the lineup.” Coach Poirier expects big things from each of his returning wrestlers “All of the returning wrestlers have a good shot at making some noise this year. They all will compete for the top spots in the conference.”

Prescott has several talented young wrestlers joining the group. Coach Poirier stated “I am excited with all of the freshmen. Nolan Thomley, Lono Thomason, Quinn Glasby, and Brody Linder will all step up this year and wrestle some meaningful matches for us.”

Prescott has some limited numbers at some of the weight classes but are strong in the middle weights. Coach Poirier said “We are pretty loaded in the middle of our weights. From 145-160 we have 8 wrestlers competing for those 3 weight classes.” The number of wrestlers in these weigh classes will make for some great wrestle offs though out the season. This should only help with group to improve. It also means that there could be different wrestlers in the starting lineup through out the season, leading to other wrestlers looking for some exhibition matches.

Somerset 30 Prescott 26

The Prescott Cardinal Varsity Wresting team hit the mat for the first match of the season Thursday night in Prescott. This would be Somerset’s first match of the season as well. Due to the virus there are some changes to the season. All wrestlers must wear a mask during matches. This is a difficult challenge for such a physical sport. There wrestlers seem to have adjusted well, as there was only a couple stoppages due to a mask. The teams will also be unable to wrestle in tournaments as in previous seasons, so most of the action will be team matches against Middle Border Conference foes.

The Cardinals started out the night strong as freshman Lono Thomason would win a 6-1 decision to give Prescott a 3-0 lead in the match. Thomason’s win was his first as a varsity wrestler, especially impressive at the 145 pound weight class.

Nolan Thomley, another impressive freshman, was up next for the Cardinals at 152 pounds. Thomley battled hard in his first match. Unfortunately he was caught in a pin at 2:31 of the second round. Before the pin, Thomley battled well, he was down just 2-1 after the first period. Still, Somerset took the team lead 6-3.

Shawn Murphy was up next at 160 pounds. Murphy was very impressive taking down his opponent several times racking up a huge 15-3 lead after the first period. Shawn learned early in the match that he had a big advantage and decided to give up escape points in order to rack up points with take downs and near fall points. Early in the second period, the match would end as Murphy would win 21-4 in a tech fall to give Prescott five points and an 8-6 lead in the match.

Prescott’s Alex Holt would be next to take the mat at 170 pounds. Holt would make quick work of his opponent winning with a pin at 1:15 of the first round. Holt’s dominating win would increase Prescott’s lead to 14-6.

Prescott would then take three forfeits at the upper weight classes. Shawn Thomason was out of the line up due to an injury. Somerset would take a forfeit at the 106 pound class, giving Ben Olson the victory. With each forfeit, six points are earned. Somerset would now lead the match 24-20.

Alex Iberg would wrestle the last match of the evening at 132 pounds. Iberg, like Holt, make quick work of his opponent pinning him at 1:31 of the first period. The pin would give Prescott a short lived 26-24 lead.

The final weight class of the evening would again be a forfeit for Prescott. Somerset would win the team match 30-24, despite losing four of the five individual matches. Coach Poirier said “I was very impressed with everyone that wrestled. I am really excited to see what the rest of the year holds for this team.” The Cardinals are back in action next Thursday when they travel to Saint Croix Central to take on the Panthers.