2/7/06

Wrestlers Trounce Moorhead

Battle with No. 1 UNO looms for No. 2-ranked MSU

by Garret Felder
February 07, 2006

Friday’s dual meet between the two Minnesota State Universities was supposed to be a tight battle for state bragging rights between the No. 2 and 12 ranked teams in the nation. Instead, this in-state rivalry looked more like a sibling-scrapping match that should take place in the family room of a Mankato home instead of in the Taylor Center.

While MSU-Moorhead tried to avoid the aggressive offense of MSU wrestling like the youngest child trying to prevent a pummeling from an older brother, the Mavericks still dominated Moorhead 29-6 with the help of a crowd-pleasing Tim Kraemer victory over the No. 4-ranked heavyweight in the nation.

“My No. 1 focus for this meet was being more mentally prepared,” Kraemer said. “I feel like I am conditioned enough and confident enough in my technique that 100 percent of my focus could be on my mental preparation for this match.”

Going into his match with the Mavericks leading 7-3, Kraemer knew the slightest of details would be the difference between defeating his ranked opponent and possibly giving Moorhead the lead in team points.

“In the first period, the single [leg takedown] was make it or break it, Kraemer said. “I knew I had to find a way to finish it. After I chose down in the third period, I knew I needed an escape or a reversal and fortunately I got the reversal to win.”

Kraemer’s 6-1 victory over No. 4-ranked Chris Tuchscherer was the most exciting match of the night and a confidence builder for the Maverick heavyweight after having a disappointing loss during the Jan. 27 Augustana dual.

"Last week (Jan. 27) was a bummer on the confidence,” Kraemer said. “I try to learn from the wins and the losses, but you really learn from a win like this and I will definitely remember this one.”

Even head coach Jim Makovsky said Kraemer was the star of the night, a major honor considering the first ranked opponent Kraemer has beaten this season (Tuchscherer) was also last year’s national runner up in the heavyweight division.

“He (Kraemer) broke through a glass ceiling,” Makovsky said. “He’s been busting his butt all year long and I know this will breed confidence in him.”

Adding to Kraemer’s win, the Mavericks piled on the aggression and team points with major decisions from junior tri-captain Travis Krinkie, senior Zach Stevens and junior Brandon Girtz. Include junior Jeff Pfaffinger’s 20-5 technical fall along with three more decisions and the Mavericks had proven themselves close to being ready for their upcoming bout with Nebraska-Omaha.

“I am as proud of them as I have been all year,” Makovsky said. “They not only sent a message to Moorhead but to themselves and their teammates.”

The Mavericks’ intimidation also continued to show during their only two losses of the meet. Senior Andy Pickar gave No. 1-ranked Nate Baker a scare during a 7-5 loss at 165 pounds and freshman stand-in Tom Block forced All-American Joe Facchinni into overtime at 197 pounds but lost 8-6 from am early Facchinni takedown.

Block stepped in for the injured Ben Janike (back) and showed lots of promise during his first home meet as a Maverick.

“He (Block) wasn’t flawless but he could have won the match,” Makovsky said. “He has a little more experience now but with Tom you never have to question his effort.”

Pickar also performed well as No. 3 faced off against No. 1 in the last match of the night; a match Makovsky said could be the 165-pound championship match at the national tournament in March. Pickar went into the third period ahead 5-3 when Baker came back with little fear, a reversal and a final takedown for the 7-5 win.

Despite the increased aggression and personal improvements the Mavericks have made, Makovsky still knows of one detail his team continues to lack since the last UNO encounter; a detail that goes beyond technique– conditioning and emotion that needs to be emphasized.

"We’ve learned a lot but we need consistency,” Makovsky said. “We need all 10 of our guys to actually physically wrestle and to have consistent performances out of them.”

The squad has still yet to have all of its starting 10 physically wrestle in a meet; not forgetting that the squad lost junior tri-captain Jason Rhoten for the season and Girtz filled in at 149 pounds.

But beyond their last team flaw, the Mavericks continue to focus on the fundamentals, getting in hard workouts and, as Makovsky says, keeping themselves “Healthy, happy, and hungry” before their national-scale dual at No.1-ranked Nebraska-Omaha Friday. The Mavericks will then travel to Marshall, Minn., to end the weekend with a dual meet against Southwest Minnesota State.