WILLMAR -- In what has become an annual rite of passage, the Ridgewater wrestling team won the MCAC title with a 38-10 dual victory over Rochester Thursday.
It's the third conference crown in as many years under coach Tom Beyer.
The Warriors, who will wrap up the regular season at a tournament in Eau Claire, Wis., Saturday, won the first eight matches to build its commanding 38-0 lead.
Nate Friederich started the dual off with a convincing 12-2 major decision at 125 pounds, followed by a forfeit win at 133. The rest of the matches were contested.
After Jake Patnode and Tyler Stemper won the next two matches by decision, the remainder of the dual was decided by a major decision or a pin.
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Ryan Krause won at 165 pounds 9-1, and Chase Tempel at 149, Travis Peralta at 174 and Martin Hagen at 184 each won by fall.
The two losses came to national tournament placewinners from Rochester.
Postseason for the Warriors starts Feb. 14 with the Region 13 qualifier at Rochester, followed by the NJCAA Tournament Feb. 26-27 at Des Moines, Iowa.
Ridgewater 38, Rochester 10
125: Nate Friederich, Rid, maj Dan Anderson 12-2
133: Josh Anderson, Rid, won by forfeit
141: Jake Patnode, Rid, dec Lee Burg 8-3
149: Tyler Stemper, Rid, dec Jake Zeiher 5-2
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157: Chase Tempel, Rid, pin Jake Barnes 6:00
165: Ryan Krause, Rid, maj Brent Kraut 9-1
174: Travis Peralta, Rid, pin Blain Coyle 4:56
184: Martin Hagen, Rid, pin Garrett Howard 2:12
197: Devin Clark, Roc, maj Aaron Samuelson 9-0
Hwt: Parker Brand, Roc, pin Charlie Gelhaye 1:07
