SPORTS WRAP

“Two! I mean three!”

Go to a wrestling meet and you’ll hear enthusiastic fans hollering for takedown points. This year in Minnesota each takedown is worth an extra point. Near falls can now be worth up to five points. Those are among the rule changes the state high school league approved upon suggestion from the national federation.

Owatonna Head Coach Derek Johnson says it works well with the Huskies’ philosophy.

“With the near fall being as aggressive as it is and the three-point takedown, it really bodes well…We’re always an exciting, electric team,” said Johnson.

Johnson says it’s tough now if you only get a decision.

“Now if you expect to get a win, you better get a bonus point win,” he said.

OHS senior R.J. Reinardy likes the change.

“Mostly because I’m a thrower. It’s nice to get the extra back points if I do put a kid on his back and it helps create a bigger lead, more techs, more majors, more team points,” said Reinardy.

“I think it’s going to speed it up a lot. Instead of only being down by only one point if you’re let up, you’re going to be down by two. It’s going to make you push a lot harder to get the score back,” he said.

Huskies senior Isabelle Townley might have to adjust her style.

“I don’t take as many shots as everybody. But now with the three points, I kind of have to. I get kind of defensive on the feet. I’m really offensive on top though,” she said.

Now, she says, “I have to make sure I get the takedown.”

College wrestling went to the three-point takedown last season. A metro-area high school coach told me, “usually Minnesota is pretty forward-thinking, in that whatever college is doing, Minnesota will adopt it or maybe test it for a year. Maybe even see how it’s going in college and adopt it a year later.”

Tigers on board

Medford senior Kaden Harfmann says the change plays into his style.

“I’ve put a lot more focus into my neutral wrestling, just being on my feet and setting up shots, and getting to my stuff I know how to do. The new rule change has definitely pushed me to work on my top game more. Instead of just looking to ride, I’m looking to turn more now that you get the extra point with near fall…It really changes how you wrestle. One escape doesn’t do nearly as much as it used to,” said Harfmann.

Tigers senior Mason Degrood says the impact at heavyweight might be a bit more minimal. “Unless you get one of those guys who are you in a mirror, most heavyweight matches are you pin, or you get pinned. I feel as if some of those guys that do rely on points to win, will have a better time doing so,” said Degrood.

“One of the things I like to instill is the neutral wrestling, takedowns, setups to takedowns. It’s nice rather than two points; it’s now three. I will caution this; I’ve caught myself a few times coaching the kids in the practice room saying, ‘Hey, there’s two.’ I had a kid the other day say, ‘It’s three, coach.’ I feel it’s going to benefit us. We’re constantly attacking. I feel we’re going to pull out a lot of matches that way,” said Erler.

Holiday feast

This time of year offers some unique matchups during holiday tournaments. Owatonna boys basketball hosts the Federated Tournament Dec. 26-27, playing Blaine on Thursday. Lakeville South and Woodbury play at 6 p.m.

Huskies boys hockey treks to Duluth for the three-day Heritage Tournament. Coach Dennis Will is hoping to play Superior (Wisconsin), his alma mater.  Girls hockey skates at the Louis Schmitz Holiday Classic at Farmington.

Girls hoops plays in the Breakdown Granite City Classic at Sauk Rapids-Rice. OHS wrestling is at Champlin Park on Friday, Dec. 27.

Blooming Prairie boys basketball goes to the Grand Meadow Tournament. The BP girls travel to a Hayfield event.

NRHEG girls’ hoops plays at Norwood-Young America.