Wrestling: Z-M 2nd at home invitational

Hosting an eight-team dual tournament Saturday, the 11th-ranked (1A) Zumbrota-Mazeppa wrestling team finished in second place after a 36-27 loss to 10th-ranked (1A) Barnesville.

Earlier in the day, the Cougars secured a 55-15 victory over Glenwood City (Iowa) and a 44-21 win against Wabasha-Kellogg.

Z-M fell behind 19-6 after the Trojans won four of the first five matches against Barnesville in the tournament championship. Then with a technical fall by Devin Manzy at 138 pounds, the Cougars were able to mount a comeback, scoring 11 straight points.

Down 26-22 with four matches to go, Z-M took a 31-26 lead, thanks to a pinfall victory by Dillon Downes at 182 pounds and a 14-6 decision by Andy Siems at 195. But Barnesville clawed back as Kyle Johnson picked up a 12-4 major decision against the Cougars’ Evan Block.

With the dual coming down to the final match, the Trojans secured the victory as Alec Wheelright pinned Z-M’s Shane Bode in 41 seconds to claim the 285-pound match.

The Cougars head to a Hiawatha Valley League triangular Thursday with Cannon Falls and Kenyon-Wanamingo in Cannon Falls.

Tags: sports, prep, wrestling, zumbrota, mazeppa