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Foley ends Milacaís reign in 6AA Milacaís three-year lock on the Section 6AA team wrestling title ended Friday as Foley tipped the Wolves 30-23 in the semifinals of the 6AA Tournament at Becker. "I think we went out wrestling like champions," said Milaca Coach Randy Zimmer. "We wrestled hard against a very good, very determined team and we were in it until the very last match. "We came a long way with a young, inexperienced team this year and we ended the season with a fine effort. Foley was just a little better." After topping third-seeded Milaca, second-seeded Foley fell to unbeaten and top-seeded Becker 37-15 in the championship match Friday night. Becker had stopped fourth-seeded North Branch 53-12 in Fridayís other semifinal match. "I think that our match took a lot out of Foley and that wouldíve been the case for us, too, if we had won and advanced to the finals," said Zimmer. "Becker is very good, very balanced, with several standout individuals. Theyíre a tough team to go against right after youíve had a hard match. The No. 1 seed was very big this year." Becker will face Rum River Conference champion St. Michael-Albertville in the opening round of the Class AA State Team Wrestling Tournament Thursday, Feb. 27, at 10 a.m., at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Both Becker and SM-A topped Milaca and Foley during the regular season. St. Michael-Albertville stopped Waconia 33-26 in the Section 4AA finals Friday. The Knights did not meet Becker during the season. "That should be a great match," said Zimmer. "Becker has great balance but St. Michael is a veteran of the state tournament and thatís important." Milaca opened the 6AA team meet by stopping Mora 54-17 in the quarter-finals Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Foley. The Wolves finished with an 18-10 dual meet record. The Wolves will now turn their attention to the Section 6AA Individual Tournament at Big Lake Friday and Saturday. Fridayís matches begin at 4 p.m., with Saturdayís matches starting at 11 a.m. The top two wrestlers at each weight class will advance to the Class AA State Individual Tournament which begins Thursday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center. "We feel we could advance six or more individuals to the state meet if we wrestle well," said Zimmer. Milaca junior Mitch Vedders at 160 pounds will take a 31-0 record in the 6AA individual tourney while junior Clay Hoeck (135) is 28-3. Vedders placed second at 152 at the 2002 state meet while Hoeck placed fourth at 125. ******** Against Mora, ninth grader Torin Erickson at 103, sophomore Chuck LaMee at 112 and junior Josh Dehart at 119 scored pins to boost Milaca to a quick 18-0 lead. Sophomore John Fradette at 135, Mitch Vedders at 171, junior Steven Jacobson at 215 and sophomore Chris Peterson at heavyweight also scored falls for the Wolves. Against Foley, Milaca held a 23-15 edge before the Falcons swept the final four matches. Milacaís wins included a 10-4 decision by LaMee over ninth grader Josh Gondeck at 103, a 9-3 decision by ninth grader Steven Vedders over sophomore Jake Jaeckels at 119, a 10-2 major decision by Fradette over sophomore Zach Rajkowski-Shaw at 130, a 14-4 major decision by senior Doug Lanz over senior Luke Bialke at 140, a 9-4 decision by sophomore Andy Kotsmith over Kyle Henry at 152 and a pin by Mitch Vedders at 160. Milaca trailed 24-23 going into the heavyweight match. Wolvesí junior Bryan Witschen battled Foley senior Ryan Henry through most of a furious first period. Witschen scored a takedown, a near fall and a reversal before Henry "Bryan gave it a great shot," said Zimmer. Foley received its other pin from standout senior Ryan Holthaus at 112. And, the Falcons received a big win from junior Eric Seppelt, who tipped Hoeck 14-10 at 135. "It was a typical Foley-Milaca match," said Foley Coach Lyle Freudenberg. "Just like we knew it would be." Section 6AA Wrestling
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