The Detroit Lakes wrestling teams faced challenges at the Willmar Triangular on December 4, 2023, with both the boys’ and girls’ squads experiencing defeats. The boys’ team was narrowly defeated by the Willmar Cardinals, finishing with a score of 41-29. Meanwhile, the girls’ team struggled, earning just 12 points against Willmar’s 66 points.
Individual performances highlighted the day for the Lakers. In the boys’ competition, Talen Baker secured a victory in the 145-pound weight class by technical fall, dominating his match. Kellen Tappe also contributed a win by decision in the 152-pound weight class, alongside teammate Beau Somdahl, who triumphed in the 172-pound class. Unfortunately, Sean Thunderstrom had to exit his match due to an injury, with no further updates available at this time. The meet concluded with Ryan Francis earning a pin, providing a strong finish for the boys.
On the girls’ side, four wrestlers represented the Lakers: Hanna Annette, Kami Domek, Sierra Aufdenkamp, and Aaliyah Chilton. Both Aufdenkamp and Chilton achieved notable victories by pinning their opponents, adding a combined 12 points to the team’s total. Despite these efforts, the Lakers were unable to overcome the number of forfeits, which significantly impacted their overall performance.
The scores from the boys’ matches reflected a competitive atmosphere. The results included several forfeits that affected the Lakers’ chances. The detailed breakdown of the boys’ scores illustrates the close nature of the contest, with key matches highlighting both victories and losses.
For the girls’ competition, the statistics revealed a series of forfeits that hampered the Lakers’ scoring potential. Despite the wins by Aufdenkamp and Chilton, the team could not match Willmar’s strength across the board.
Looking ahead, the Lakers will have the opportunity to regroup at the upcoming Dennis Kaatz Memorial Wolverine Invitational, scheduled for December 5, 2023, at Wadena-Deer Creek High School. This event will provide the wrestlers with another chance to showcase their skills and improve their standings.
The experience gained at the Willmar Triangular is expected to serve as a stepping stone for both teams as they prepare for future competitions.
