WILLMAR -- Trent Molacek went from wrestling at Willmar High School to competing for the Warriors at Ridgewater College without a hitch.
He didn't even have to adjust to the methods and temperament of a new coach.
He's still wrestling for Tom Beyer, his former high school coach in his first year at the college.
"I don't see much difference," said Molacek, who had a pin as Ridgewater wiped out Itasca College 54-3 on Wednesday.
"The practices are harder, but a lot of that is because your practice partners are so much tougher than high school."
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The Warriors rang up five pins and four forfeits against the undermanned Vikings, usually a feisty foe. The ease of victory was in contrast to the weekend spent at the National Duals in Iowa.
Molacek went 2-1. The loss was to a ranked wrestler from No. 1 St. Louis Merrimac.
"He was so wide and strong, he caught me and put me my back and I couldn't even move," said Molacek, who runs about five pounds light in the 184-pound weight class.
"You don't see the duds you do in high school," said Molacek, "guys who just role over. Everyone is so tough, like a state tourney bracket."
Molacek also plays for the Warrior football team, but says wrestling is his favorite.
Beyer continues to teach at Roosevelt Elementary here after retiring last spring as the Cardinal wrestling coach following 26 seasons. When Jesse Nelson resigned suddenly this summer to become head coach at Southwest Minnesota State, Beyer applied and was hired by the college.
Ridgewater 54, Itasca 3
125: Jon Tatro, R, pin John Grey 5:35
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133: Tom Brenner, R, won by forfeit
141: Brandon Schunk, R, pin Ryan Campbell 3:59
149: Greg Skerik, R, pin Ted Wiczek :53
157: Zach Juusola, R, pin Wes Ronchi 3:35
165: Mike Qurada, R, won by forfeit
174: Josh Bue, Ita, dec Scott Thompson 7-6
184: Trent Molacek, R, pin Brady Bjornson 1:27
197: Andrew Larson, R, won by forfeit
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Hwt: Peter Christians, R, won by forfeit
