Wrestler secure winning night

The Luverne wrestling team secured its first winning night after traveling to Beresford, South Dakota, Tuesday, Feb. 1, returning home with two team wins.
The Cardinals were scheduled to host a dual Tuesday, Feb. 8, in the Classic Gym with Springfield and Viborg Hurley.  
 
LHS 41, Garretson 36
In the first match with Garretson, the Cardinals bested the Dragons 41-36 by winning seven out of eight contested matches.
Brody Kopp at 106 and Rayden Boyenga each pinned their opponents before Leif Ingebretsen, wrestling at 120, won by technical fall over Issac Stoterau 16-0.
Hudson Hough at 132 and Noah Mehlhaff at 138 pinned their opponents before Braydon Ripka bested Hunter Abraham in a 4-1 decision to give the Cardinals a 32-6 lead.
After a forfeit at 152 and a pin at 160, the Dragons climbed closer, making it 32-18.  Jacob Madison, wrestling at 170, beat Adam Hulscher in a 4-2 decision, but Garretson’s Luke Pershing received a forfeit at 182.
At 195, Luverne’s Ayden Bonnett pinned Martin Welch, securing the Cardinal team victory. 
Two forfeits followed at 220 and 285, but after winning all but one contested match, the Cardinals finished with a quality team victory.
“I’m proud of these boys going out and getting a hard-fought win,” said head coach Jordan Kopp.
“Just look at the box score; we wrestled well that night.”  
Luverne 42
Elk Point-Jefferson 33
Against Elk Point-Jefferson the Cardinals won their second consecutive match 42-33.
Luverne’s Brody Kopp, Rayden Boyenga and Leif Ingebretson each received forfeits before Hudson Hough at 132 and Noah Mehlhaff at 138 each pinned their opponents. 
Braydon Ripka took a forfeit at 152 followed by a forfeit and pin by EP-J.
Jacob Madison received a forfeit at 170, securing the Cardinal victory. 
The Huskies won two more forfeits and a decision, but after a double forfeit at 285, the Cardinals secured their second win of the night. 
“The wins feel really good, and we came a long way this season,” said Cardinal senior Ayden Bonnett.
“I’m proud of the team as we have matured and improved since we first started a couple of months ago.” 
Beresford 45, LHS 27
Despite wins by Rayden Boyenga, Leif Ingebretson, Noah Mehlhaff, Braydon Ripka and Jacob Madison, the Cardinals only came up with 27 points against the host school’s 45, ending Luverne’s night 2-1 as a team.
“Our guys wrestled the best night of their entire season as a team, and I am proud of them,” Kopp said.