Emerfoll and Lubinski Turn Tide for Cardinal Grapplers

The Coon Rapids Cardinals defeated Centennial 37-18 last Thursday night in a NWSC action pulling the Cards back into contention for the NWSC Championship at 6-1. Since Centennial is very strong in the middle and upper weights the Cards knew they had to score big points in the lower weights in order to have a chance of winning. Things didn’t look too promising early on when the Cards won only two of the first four bouts a decision by Anderson at 103lbs. and a pin by Gagne at 119lbs. However, Captain Coughlin was the first of three straight victories with a major and two decisions by Nix at 135lbs and Mack at 140lbs.

The Cards lost the next match but then turned the tide by pulling off two upsets with falls by Jacob Emerfoll at 152lbs. and Austin Lubinski at 160lbs. Emerfoll was down 8-1 when he stepped over his opponent put him to his back and scored the fall. Lubinski was behind 3-2 when he scored his fall giving the Cards much needed breathing room. At 171lbs Brandt Halseth, who has been working hard on his takedowns every night, scored a mild upset of his own winning his match over a quality opponent putting the match mathematically out of reach for Centennial. Tanner Lowe closed the door by getting a little revenge with a 5-4 win over the Centennial opponent who had pinned him early in the season.

Centennial and Coon Rapids still have Anoka remaining on their respective schedules so the conference title is still up for grabs. Anoka wrestles Centennial this week and Coon Rapids will wrestle Osseo this Thursday and Anoka next week at Anoka.

Conference Matches
Champlin   W
Maple Grove W
Centennial  W
Park Center W
Andover    W
Blaine      W
Elk River   L  (we could see Elk River this weekend in the Blaine Duals)