Max Olson

MAPLETON — Martin County Red Bulls head wrestling coach Adam Williamson understands the advantage of having interchangeable and versatile grapplers, especially in the top-end weight brackets.

Max Olson and Alec Thompson proved that point in back-to-back dual meets to help power the Class AA No. 3-ranked Red Bulls to victories at the Maple River/United South Central quadrangular on Tuesday in Mapleton.

Trailing 33-28 to Lake Mills with only the 220-pound and heavyweight matches remaining, Olson stepped to the canvas and needed a mere 16 seconds to pin his Bulldogs’ opponent to swing a 34-33 lead to the Red Bulls. Thompson then received a forfeit at the 285-pound spot in the lineup to close out Martin County’s 40-33 comeback win over Lake Mills.

Down 34-19 to host Maple River/United South Central, Olson and Thompson needed a little extra assistance in fueling the Red Bulls’ late stampede to victory from 195-pounder Wyatt Williamson.

Wyatt Williamson triggered Martin County’s late charge by pinning his Maple River/USC opponent in 3:26 to inch the Red Bulls within 34-25.

Thompson then received another forfeit — this time while filling the 220-pound position in the bracket — to whittle Martin County’s deficit to 34-31.

Olson then put the dual meet in the team win column by earning the slap of the mat at heavyweight in just 1:17 for the 37-34 win.

“Just a great effort by our guys, especially in the upper weights,” said Adam Williamson.

Maddex Faber staked the Red Bulls to a quick 6-0 lead against host Maple River/USC by pinning Isaiah Gonzalez in 5:17 during 106-pound action, but the home team rallied for nine points to grab the lead.

Rylan Cutler then delivered a fall in 2:42 over Braxton Simon during 126-pound action to regain the lead at 12-9 for the Red Bulls.

Trailing 21-12 after two more weight classes, Class AA No. 7-ranked 145-pounder Kain Sanders generated a 10-3 victory over Byron Getchell to inch the Red Bulls within 21-15.

Maple River/USC countered with a major decision and a regular win to widen its lead to 28-15 before the Red Bulls countered with Carver Rohman. Rohman amassed an 18-6 major decision over Noah Ziegler at 170 to keep Martin County’s hopes alive.

Lake Mills, however, leapfrogged to a 9-0 lead over the Red Bulls before Berent Kosab and Cutler countered at 120 and 126, respectively. Kosbab pinned Carter Helgeson in 1:03 to net six team points before Cutler downed Geraldo Vazquez in 3:11 to swing a 12-9 lead back to Martin County.

Trailing 24-12, Joseph Forsberg posted an 11-3 major decision at 152 to help trigger the Red Bulls’ late comeback.

Rohman and Riley Allen assisted the Red Bulls’ cause by earning falls in 2:29 and just 47 seconds at 170 and 182, respectively, to actually swing a 28-27 lead to Martin County.

The Martin County Red Bulls (2-0) travel to Blue Earth Area on Friday night for a Big South Conference dual meet.