Wrestlers get off to good start in season opener

RANDOLPH –The Randolph Cardinals wrestling squad has opened up its first campaign on its own with a solid start to the 2023-24 season.

The Cardinal boys routed Winnebago Nov.30 with a 39-6 decision while the girls fell just short, dropping a 24-18 result.

“The girls got some valuable experience and got to go through the procedures for a dual even though we didn’t match up well to wrestle live matches,” Randolph head coach Mark Lech said. “The boys won seven of eight matches and started the season with a win.”

Taking victories for the Cardinal boys were Cole Jensen (126 pounds, via forefeit), Patrick Burtt (138, 4-1 decision), Bryson Eledge (144 pounds, first-round pin), Brayden Worlein (157, first-round pin), Gavin Wortman (175, third-round pin), Justin Backer (190, firstround pin) and Gage Jensen (215, first-round pin).

The Lady Cardinals were able to secure a win from Karma Henry (110 pounds, by forfeit), Gracie Wortman (125, by forfeit) and Emilee Olson (130, by forfeit).

The teams then headed to the Creighton Invite on Saturday and things went quite well, according to Lech.

“Everyone wrestled well and got a chance to get live matches against real competition,” he said. “The girls had a separate tournament with Gracie Wortman and Karma Henry picking up their first big wins of the year. The girls are both freshmen and will be wrestling at varsity tournaments all year. The boys had a great day with nine contributors helping the Cardinal team bring home the runner-up trophy.”

Winning gold medals for the boys were Cole Jensen (120), Wortman (175), Gage Jensen (190) and Aiden Gubbels (285).

“The entire team wrestled hard and several others brought home hardware,” Lech said. “The newcomers this year all got valuable mat time and won matches.”

The Lady Cardinals traveled to West Holt Monday while the boys head to the Stanton Invitational over the weekend.

“The team is looking to improve each week and to get some competitors back healthy as we enter the second week of the season,” Lech said.