Jaguar wrestling squeezes out 37-34 win over Minnewaska Area, Jaguar girls basketball upsets Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 79-70

Sophomore Austin Jaeger won by pin against Minnewaska Area tonight on the home mats. It was one of two pins that went the way of the Jaguars over the Section 5A rival Lakers.

It wasn't pretty, but the Jaguars wrestling team managed to survive a stiff challenge from Minnewaska Area on the home mats tonight, winning by a final score of 37-34. With the win, the Jaguars improve to 8-13 overall in dual meets this season. It is their best season since 2007-2008, when they finished 9-11 overall. Even though they lost some great talent from last year's team (mainly state entrants Travis Winter and Cole Tensen), they have edged last year's dual meet record of 7-16.

The Jaguars won only four of the 11 contested matches on the night, with the Lakers giving up 18 points by forfeit. Matches at 152, 171, and 189 were forfeits.

With two matches remaining, the Jaguars held a 37-22 lead before giving up pins at 215 and 285. Earlier in the match, the Lakers had opened up a 22-13 lead before the Jaguars scored 24 straight points, 18 of them on forfeits. Alex Schramel won an 18-5 major decision for the Jaguars. Patrick Rooney (2:56) and Austin Jaeger (:52) both won by pin, and Daniel Rooney won a 7-5 decision.

Minnewaska Area fell to 4-17 overall and 1-7 against Section 5A opponents. The Jaguars improved to 3-5 against teams who are in Section 5A. They have a real shot at a #6 seed for the playoffs later this month. Their 40-29 win over Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted in the CMC triangular at Pierz on Tuesday night will help their cause for a favorable ranking in Section 5A.

The wrestling team's regular season wraps up next week Thursday, when they travel to Parkers Prairie to face the winless (0-20) Panthers.

Down in Howard Lake, the Jaguars girls basketball team defeated the Lakers of HL-W-W 79-70, as they were sparked by a career-high 27 points from junior guard Raeann Sorenson as well as 22 points from Julie Hieserich. It reverses a 65-61 loss on December 17 when HL-W-W traveled to Belgrade. The Lakers were 7-2 and held a half game lead over Pierz in the Central Minnesota Conference standings coming into tonight. This win is huge, probably the Jaguars' biggest win since they were able to sweep Eden Valley-Watkins last season.

The last time a Jaguars girls basketball team won in Howard Lake was in on February 11, 2005 by a 52-46 final score. Since that time, the Jaguars have suffered one blowout loss as well as two point, four point, and seven point losses in Howard Lake. They have little time for rest after the big win, though, as they will host Sauk Centre tomorrow night, Friday, at the high school gymnasium. The Streeters are ranked #2 in the latest Class AA poll.

The Jaguars improve to 6-10 overall and 4-5 in the CMC with the win at Howard Lake. The Lakers fall to 11-10 overall and 7-3 in the CMC. Pierz is 7-2 in the CMC tonight after winning in Eden Valley.

Central Minnesota Conference girls basketball results on Feb. 3:
Pierz 51, Eden Valley-Watkins 40 (held at Eden Valley, Pioneers are in first place alone in the CMC)
Rockford 59, Maple Lake 58
Holdingford 56, Kimball Area 50 (Huskers snap a 7-game losing streak)

I will say, the second half of the girls basketball CMC schedule will be interesting, as I believe any team can win on any given night. It's probably the most balance displayed through all eight teams in over a decade.

A final note, **don't forget, the Jaguars boys basketball team travels to Maple Lake tomorrow night, Friday. The game will be aired on Smooth Magic 107 of Glenwood. You can tune in at 107.1 FM on your radio or through your computer by visiting their website at http://www.kmgk1071.com

Area girls basketball scores on February 3:
Sauk Centre 77, St.Cloud Cathedral 28 (good grief!)
Upsala 90, Swanville 41
Underwood 50, Brandon/Evansville 35
Albany 63, Osakis 42
Wheaton/Herman-Norcross 47, Hankinson (N.D.) 34
Central Minnesota Christian 58, MACCRAY 54
Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 57, Renville County West 36
Dawson-Boyd 47, Lakeview 39
Hancock 67, Benson 35
Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City 50, Minnewaska Area 32
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy 45, Ashby 34

Area boys basketball scores on February 3:
Minnewaska Area 91, Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City 60
Royalton 66, Swanville 56
Benson 69, Lac qui Parle Valley 49
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 68, New London-Spicer 50 (a huge win for the Thunder, they now trail the Wildcats by one game in the West Central North Conference standings)

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