Wrestling: Zumbrota-Mazeppa winless at Wabasso/RRC

Facing two of the top teams in the state, and a traditional state power, the 11th-ranked (1A) Zumbrota-Mazeppa wrestling team dropped all three of its matches at the Wabasso/Red Rock Central quadrangular Saturday in Wabasso.

Against Canby, Joey Majerus gave the Cougars a 6-5 lead after two matches, but the Lancers responded by scoring 21 straight points. Sparked by a 9-7 victory by Mitchell Watkins, the Cougars made a 16-point run to cut the gap to 24-22. But Canby closed out the match with a pinfall at 195 pounds, and a decision at 220 to secure the victory.

Then against No. 4-ranked (1A) Wabasso/RRC, Z-M fell in the first five matches on the way to a 44-15 loss. Four Cougar wrestlers – Watkins (138 pounds), Cody Heitman (145), Chase Steffen (160), and Jordan Ronningen (220) – won their matches against the host Bobcats.

Facing No. 7-ranked (2A) Adrian in its final match, Z-M fell behind 22-6 after five matches and never recovered in a 41-28 loss. After a pinfall victory by Andy Siems at 182 pounds, the Cougars trailed by just seven points before the Dragons won the next two matches by pinfall to put the match out of reach.

On Thursday, Z-M stays on the road for a Hiawatha Valley League dual against La Crescent.

Tags: sports, prep, wrestling, zumbrota, mazeppa