Area wrestling, hockey: BCLB has depth and balance

BLACKDUCK – The Blackduck-Cass Lake-Bena wrestling team began the year with a second-place finish at the Fosston-Bagley Invitational and three victories in five dual meets. The Bears want to build on those results and by season’s end hope to challenge for post-season success. “Our team strength is our depth and our balance,” said BCLB coach Jay Reiplinger. “All of our wrestlers are capable of winning matches and we have a few ‘horses’ to carry us.” The roster includes captains Daven Staples (170) and Brady Gross (182) plus other returning lettermen Andrew Nissen (106), Mason Preston (113), Kyle Solberg (120), Kyle Michalek (126), Tanner George (132), Mason Frenzel (138), Matt Patch (145), Cooper Jedlicka (152), Trevor Smith (152), Nate Joblonski (160), Tanner Templin (195) and Nick Grundmeier (heavyweight). Among the other wrestlers expected to see duty this winter are David Foster and Lucas Reiplinger (106), Michael Juelson and Tyler Bird (113), Jason Yates (132), Damon Staples (145), Mort Eckstrom (170), Paul Eckstrom (195) and Andrew Grundmeier (220). “Our weakness could be that we have depth but some of the boys are bunched at a few weights,” Reiplinger said. “Our goal is to improve and learn in every practice and in every match.” Fosston-Bagley wrestling The Greyhounds will have some new faces in the lineup as six seniors graduated from a team that went 12-5 in duals and won three tournaments. “The inexperience at the varsity level is something that I will definitely be keeping an eye on as the season progresses,” said F-B coach Pat Wolfe. “I will look for our kids to mature. “Beyond this, our kids have goals and my job is to help them reach their full potential.” Among those kids is Ben Mark (132/138 pounds) who won 33 matches last year. Alexi Bode (145/152) also is coming off a solid season while seniors Wyatt LaFriniere (160/170) and Jordan Murphy (220) will help anchor the upper weights. “I feel that our team has a winning attitude and many of our kids expect to win,” Wolfe said. “As a coach I feel this is important as it shows we have some very competitive kids.” Bagley-Fosston hockey The Flyers won three of their first four games, scoring 29 goals in those outings. The roster includes seniors Kenneth Davis, Jesse Dukek, Torrey Swenson, Brady Anderson, Sean LaVine, Kyle LaFriniere, Aaron Leintz, Zach Thoma, Clark Christopher and Wesley Davies.