Senior Connor Tulenchik continues to add to his list of wrestling achievements for the Pequot Lakes/Pine River-Backus Road Crew.
Tulenchik, who finished 5-0 to earn his 200th career victory, was named the Mid-State Conference Most Valuable Wrestler as the Road Crew captured the conference title Friday, Jan. 21, at Staples-Motley.
“Connor’s accomplishment is rare,” Road Crew coach Travis Hoffarth said of Tulenchik’s 200 wins. “He has been a staple in this program from an early age. That can come with pressure, but he has handled it so well.”
He is also a true competitor, and more importantly a great kid and captain. We’re proud of all our kids' accomplishments, but this type of thing doesn't happen too often.”
The Road Crew won all five of its conference matches, including a 32-28 battle over the Aitkin Gobblers. The Road Crew also defeated Detroit Lakes 51-16, Staples-Motley 59-15, Park Rapids 69-6 and Crosby-Ironton 77-5.
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“We had to fight back against Aitkin as Korey Kinyon got a big win at 152 and allowed us to slide Chance Abraham up to 160,” Hoffarth explained. “He has been a steady guy all season. Once we got those two wins we knew we were in good shape. We talked about wrestling for each other. They did that, a few guys got knocked off and the next guy would step up and cancel their guy out. Aitkin has a tough team and a legit way to get out of 7-2A this season.”
Abraham and Corbin Knapp each finished 5-0 and Earl Stockman and Austin Staricha both finished 4-0.
The Road Crew, 5-0 in the conference and 20-1 overall, is scheduled to host the Rausie Cummings Memorial Duals at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, in Pequot Lakes.
Road Crew results:
106: Parker Zutter 2-0, Trevor Holmberg 3-0
113: Zutter 2-1, Holmberg 0-2
120: Tayten Mick 2-2, Caleb Swenson 0-1
126: Caleb Ruhl 4-1
132: Owen Carlson 3-1
138: Karsen Kinyon 2-0, Brady Ruhl 1-2
145: Karsen Kinyon 1-2, Brady Ruhl 0-1, Korey Kinyon 1-0
152: Chance Abraham 4-0, Korey Kinyon 1-0
160: Earl Stockman 4-0, Abraham 1-0
170: Connor Tulenchik 5-0
182: Trey Tuchtenhagen 4-0
195: Corbin Knapp 5-0
220: Austin Staricha 4-0, Matthew Foster 0-1
285: Riley Peters 3-2
Road Crew win twice
On Thursday, Jan. 20, Chance Abraham pinned both of his opponents at 152 pounds as Class 2A’s fourth-ranked Road Crew defeated the Albany Huskies 55-9 and Annandale/Maple Lake 44-23 at the Albany Triangular.
Trey Tuchtenhagen and Tulenchik both picked up wins after each wrestling a match at 170 and 182.
Parker Zutter, Owen Carlson, Corbin Knapp and Austin Staricha each picked up two wins for the Road Crew.
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“We had a big win over Albany, which is a section 8-2A opponent, and followed with a hard-fought victory over a good Annandale/Maple Lake team,” Hoffarth said.
Road Crew results:
106: Trevor Holmberg 1-0, Parker Zutter 1-0
113: Parker Zutter 1-0, Trevor Holmberg 0-1
120: Tayten Mick 1-1
126: Caleb Ruhl 1-1
132: Owen Carlson 2-0
138: Karsen Kinyon 1-1
145: Brady Ruhl 1-1
152: Chance Abraham 2-0
160: Earl Stockman 1-1
170: Trey Tuchtenhagen 1-0, Connor Tulenchik 1-0
182: Connor Tulenchik 1-0, Trey Tuchtenhagen 1-0
195: Corbin Knapp 2-0
220: Austin Staricha 2-0
285: Riley Peters 1-1
