Mother Nature Cancels Dual Tournament for Bulldog Wrestlers

The Hampton-Dumont-CAL Wrestlers lost another event due to a winter storm, but were able to get out and wrestle at the beginning of the week. The Bulldogs finished up their NCC dual slate with a matchup against Algona and West Hancock in Britt on Tuesday night. The Algona Bulldogs would prove to be a tough matchup for the H-D-CAL grapplers. Although H-D-CAL had beaten them in the NCC tournament, Algona would hand the Bulldogs another conference loss 48-22. The winning wrestlers for the Bulldogs were NCC champion Taylor Mahler at 145 pounds with a 12-3 major decision, Karter Janssen with a second-period fall at 160 pounds, Cael Burmester with an 8-3 decision at 182 pounds and fifth-ranked Carter Heilskov at 285 pounds by fall in the first period. Finally, fourth-ranked Jayson Stevens would beat seventh-ranked Jacob Zabka at 113 pounds, 6-0. The Bulldogs next dual would be against the West Hancock Eagles. At 152 pounds, Colin Bird would start the dual off with a pin in the second period.  Karter Janssen would win a 9-0 major decision at 170 pounds. Carter Heilskov and Jayson Stevens would receive forfeits at heavyweight and 113 pounds. Charlie Showalter would win by fall at 132 pounds and Taylor Mahler would win 10-1 with a major decision. The Bulldogs would fall 34-32 to the Eagles and drop their dual record to 8-10.

The night before the H-D-CAL wrestling team hosted the North Central Conference JV and girls tournament. The Bulldogs had two JV champions and a runner-up.  Freshmen Jacob Mahler and Tristan Mulford won the tournament at 120 pounds and 152 pounds, respectively. Fellow freshman Ryder Strother finished second at the 126 pound weight class.  

The Bulldogs were supposed to travel to Roland-Story for a dual tournament on Saturday, but the snow storm forced the tournament to be canceled. Coach Hansen said he was looking forward to being able to wrestle and get some much needed wins for the dual team and wrestlers. Junior Jayson Stevens currently sits two wins away from the 100-win milestone. The wrestlers will have an entire week off to prepare for the Deike Duals this weekend in the Hampton-Dumont High School gym.  Five teams will head to Hampton to face off in one final competition before the post season begins.  Following the duals, the wrestling booster club will be hosting a social at the Hampton Country Club. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door, with the proceeds going to the H-D-CAL Wrestling Booster Club.