New Prague wins Missota mat title
The New Prague Trojan wrestling team won its second consecutive Missota Conference wrestling title, defeating Shakopee 38-28 Thursday, Jan. 31.
Competing in a triangular at the Shakopee gym, the Trojans, rated No. 4 in Class AA, handed the Sabers (No. 6, Class AAA) their first conference loss. In their other match the Trojans lost to Simley (No. 2, Class AA) by a 55-6 score.
The Trojans (22-2) will conclude their regular season Thursday, Feb. 7, with a dual meet at Eastview. The Section 2AA dual tournament will begin Thursday, Feb. 14. The Trojans are expected to get the No. 1 seed and will be one of the first round hosts, with the No. 9 and No. 8 seed wrestling one match and the winner facing New Prague in the second round. Four teams will advance to the Section semifinals and finals to be held Saturday, Feb. 16, at Watertown- Mayer.
Trojans 38, Sabers 28 After falling behind 10-0, the Trojans won four straight matches, three by fall, to take a 22-10 lead. Winning were Griffin Parriott (126 pounds), James Berg (132), Richard Reinartz (138) and Morgan Parriott (145). Pins were by Berg and the Parriott brothers, while Reinartz won by major decision.
The Trojans dropped a pair of matches as the Sabers cut the lead to one point, then Logan Giles scored a major decision at 170 to make it 26- 21.
New Prague lost its next two matches, giving the Sabers a 28-26 lead, but Cody Sirek (220 pounds) scored a pin to give the Trojans a 32-28 lead, and Nathan Preston (285) secured the win with a fall.
“Nathan came through with a huge pin over Shakopee's heavyweight, who has a 24-5 record,” Coach Greg Tikalsky said.
Spartans 55, Trojans 6 The final score indicated a blowout win for the defending state champion Spartans, but Tikalsky said there were many tight matches in the first seven, only one of which went the Trojans’ way. That win came from Reinartz at 138.
James Berg and Kyle Gliva, a defending state champion, had a good battle at 138 pounds, with Gliva winning 6-2. Griffin Parriott (No. 1, 120 pounds) had a good match with Juan Torres (No. 2, 126), giving up some back points in a scramble situation that led to a 6-2 loss.
At 145 pounds Morgan Parriott (No. 8) had a tight match against No. 1-ranked Mack Short. Trailing 9-6 in the third period, Parriott got caught with about 15 seconds left and lost 14-6.
New Prague’s other win was a decision by Sirek at 195 pounds.
“Cody has wrestled well since coming back from an injury early in the season and has amassed an impressive record (13-1).” Tikalsky said he is confident that if the Trojans see Simley again this season his team will make a much better run against the Spartans.