By Jim Rueda
Free Press Sports Editor
ST PETER — It was one of the toughest first-round draws in the Class AAA wrestling tournament, but Mankato West sophomore Hunter Friesen wasn’t making any excuses.
Friesen was matched up against No. 1-ranked Devin Scott of Apple Valley in Wednesday’s 140-pound bracket at Xcel Energy Center. He wrestled Scott close for the first period but, in the second, got turned over and wound up getting pinned in 3:02.
“It’s hard not be a little defensive when you’re wrestling (somebody ranked No. 1),” Friesen said. “I was a little nervous at the start but, after awhile, you phase everything else out and just wrestle.”
Friesen, who was a sub-.500 wrestler for the Scarlets a year ago, is thankful for the opportunity to wrestle at state. He’s come up and watched for a lot of years but this is his first year competing.
“You train and you work hard and this is always the ultimate goal,” Friesen said. “You hope all the dedication gets you to St. Paul.”
Friesen’s teammate, freshman Tyler Jakes, has also been a longtime spectator at the state tournament. He didn’t have quite as tough a draw as Friesen, but it was pretty tough nonetheless.
Jakes was pitted against fourth-rated Kevin Bright of Lakeville South in the first round and ended up dropping a 10-2 major decision at 160 pounds. Bright proved to be a tenacious rider but Jakes managed to escape twice.
“He’s a very good wrestler,” Jakes said. “We’ve wrestled Lakeville South a few times this year but I’ve never had to face (Bright) until today. If I had it to do over I’d try to move my feet a little more on top.”
Jakes, who has a 30-10 record, says competing at state fulfills a lifelong dream.
“I’ve been coming here since I was about three months old. I’ve always hoped I could wrestle up here.
“It’s a different experience because it’s so big and there are so many people. Now I have to hope I get to wrestleback (in today’s third session.”
