WILLMAR -- Greg Skerik came a long way to wrestle for Ridgewater College and coach Jesse Nelson.
The way he's started on the Willmar campus, he may set some records here, too. The 141-pounder Bemidji graduate decisioned Casey Stellmach 8-1 on Wednesday night as the Warriors opened the dual-meet season sinking Itasca, 28-15.
In less than two weeks, he already has seven wins. He's placed in the top five in varsity college tournaments at Fargo and Minneapolis the past two weekends.
"I knew Coach Nelson when he was at Greenbush," said Skerik. "He later recruited me and asked me to come down and look at the school. I was really impressed. It was small and I could wrestle right away without redshirting. It was just what I was looking for."
Skerik opened his prep résumé with 28 wins as a seventh grader and topped it off with a 42-2 mark as a Bemidji senior. He qualified for four state tournaments, placing third and fourth. He is eighth on the Minnesota career list for matches won.
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Jimmy Marx started the Warriors out with a pin in the 125-pound bout. Ben Thonvold capped the victory with an overtime decision at heavyweight.
Ridgewater 28, Itasca 15
125: Jimmy Marx, Rid, pin Anthony Lampi 3:06
133: Brian Beilke, Rid, dec Mike Armagost 10-4
141: Greg Skerik, Rid, dec Casey Stellmach 8-1
149: Cody Johnvin, Ita, pin Chad Listul 1:30
157: Justin Turek, Rid, dec Steve Merth 8-4
165: Wade Cruser, Rid, pin Will Gwynne 3:24
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174: John Aultman, Ita, dec Cody Pahan 4-1
184: Ted Saatzer, Rid, majdec Nick Davis 12-2
197: Aaron Young, Ita won by forfeit
Hwt: Ben Thonvold, Rid, dec Nolan Boucher 6-4 OT
