LITCHFIELD -- Since Litchfield coach Chip Rankin can't be with his wrestling team tonight because he was deployed to Iraq last March, a former Litchfield wrestler is bringing the match to him.
Kenny Turck, a captain on the 1984 wrestling team, came up with a plan to simulcast the Dragons' match against Annandale/Maple Lake tonight in Litchfield. The match will be for the Wright County Conference title.
"Because it gives Chip a chance to see his family, friends and his wrestlers, it was a no-Brainerd," said Turck, when asked why he decided to simulcast the match via the Internet.
Turck will video the match through VM Direct, a company based in Las Vegas that Turck pays a monthly fee to use for such occassions.
"The technology I am part of allows me to broadcast simultaneously to 500 audiences anywhere in the world," said Turck. "I'm honored to be able to do this for Chip, his family his soldiers and our community."
ADVERTISEMENT
Turck e-mailed Rankin, where he is stationed in Fallujah, Iraq, with his 2nd batallion, 136th infantry unit. Rankin is a captain and the company commander.
Another former Litchfield wrestler, Mark Twardy, was also deployed to Iraq and Turck is going to try and get the broadcast of the match to him as well. Twardy, a 2000 state champion at 112 pounds, is stationed in Baghdad.
The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and Turck said he will begin broadcasting around 6:30 p.m. "in order for people to say their well wishes to Chip."
Mike Fiedler has been the interim coach for Litchfield the past two seasons while Rankin is away.
At least two Twin Cities television stations have indicated they will be at the match to do stories for their newscasts.
Rankin led the Dragons to a Class AA state title in 2003 and a runner-up finish in 2002. He has won 105 matches in five seasons as coach of Litchfield.
