Rohman, Paplow strike gold for Red Bull wrestlers at East Invite
MANKATO — The Martin County Red Bulls struck gold twice and silver two times to place fourth during the Mankato East Invitational on Saturday in Mankato.
Class AA No. 8-ranked 121-pounder Pierce Rohman and No. 6-ranked 133-pounder Torrey Paplow captured individual wrestling crowns for the Red Bulls, while Maddex Faber and Taylor Austin each delivered runner-up showings at 145 and 172, respectively.
Rohman, who improved to 31-1 on the season, opened his 121-pound bracket with a 19-1 technical fall over Mankato East’s Nick Rosevold.
The Red Bull freshman phenom then coasted to an 18-3 technical fall over Mankato West’s Ian Risto during second-round action.
Rohman followed with his third consecutive technical fall — a 16-1 winning decision over Hopkins’ Ezra Wolfe — during the third and final round.
Paplow, who improved to 28-1 on the year, posted a 17-6 major decision over Mankato West’s Robert Wicks during first-round action in the 133-pound division.
Martin County’s sophomore standout then generated a 27-10 technical fall over Hopkins’ Jayden Barber during second-round action.
Paplow locked up the gold medal by pinning Minnetonka’s Dylan Romero in 2:51.
Faber kicked off his 145-pound bracket by pinning Cretin-Derham Hall’s Liam McLay in 1:48 before earning the slap of the canvas in 1:24 over Mankato West’s Vincent Weimer.
Faber downed Mankato East’s Max Fuller in a mere 59 seconds before Minnetonka’s Charlie Palm outlasted Faber in the fourth round by a 7-1 decision.
Austin started his day at 172 by netting an 8-5 decision over Hopkins’ Evan Feller before rolling to an 18-6 major decision over Mankato East’s Christia Cupples in the second round.
Austin pressed Cretin-Derham Hall opponent Isaac Henry’s shoulders to the mat in 2 minutes before getting pinned by Class AA No. 5-ranked 189-pounder Brody Koberoski in 2:16. Koberoski dropped to 172 for the regular-season tournament.
Martin County tallied a 108 to finish four points behind third-place Minnetonka.
The Red Bulls play host to Tri-City United, Windom Area and Madelia/Truman at 5 p.m. Thursday in Sherburn.
Mankato East Invite
Team Standings: 1. Mankato East 136.5; 2. Mankato West 132; 3. Minnetonka 112; 4. Martin County Red Bulls 108; 5. Hopkins 69.5; 6. Cretin-Derham Hall 38.