By John RittenhouseThe Luverne wrestling team made its 2003-04 debut at the 31st annual Flandreau Booster Club Invitational in Flandreau, S.D., Saturday.Nine Cardinal wrestlers competed at the varsity level at the tournament, during which LHS placed eighth out of eight squads in team competition.Two Luverne brothers experienced success by placing first and second in their weight classes.Freshman Jesse Saravia captured the team’s lone individual title by going 2-0 at 160 pounds.After receiving a bye in the first round, Saravia recorded a 13-2 major decision victory over Michael Lustfield (unattached) in the semifinals. Saravia nipped Howard’s Shawn Wallen 8-6 to secure his title.Junior Jose Saravia made a bid to win the 189-pound crown before settling for second place.Jose posted a 3-1 win over Howard’s Zach Neises in the quarterfinals before topping Flandreau’s Aaron Lacey 6-1 in the semifinals.Saravia, however, lost by default to Elk Point-Jefferson’s Dallas Mitchell in the championship match.Luverne’s Kelsey Petersen placed fourth at 145 pounds with a 2-2 record. Luverne’s Aric Uithoven wrestled unattached at 145, going 0-2 overall.Cardinals’ Kerry Fink and Anthony Boyenga went 1-2 without placing at 135 and 140 respectively. Phillip Altman, Mike Fletcher and Dustin Donth went 0-2 at 103, 112 and 152.Luverne hosts Fulda-Murray County Central tonight before competing at the Jackson Tournament Saturday and wrestling at a triangular meet in Jackson Tuesday.
