2010-11 Winter Preview: Raptors looking for first conference win this year

Talk about it

Their inaugural year was just that last year for East Ridge wrestlers. Coach Hans Horning is hoping to build a foundation with his returning crop in 2010-2011.

The team, which has four seniors expected to wrestle varsity, has moved up to Class AAA after competing in the Class AA without seniors at the high school in its first year.

Key wrestlers returning for the Raptors include junior Jon Balagot (145), who finished 28-15 last year and sixth in sections, and freshman Reid Lyden (103), who finished 29-11 and fourth at sections as an eighth grader.

The leading returner for East Ridge is senior Nick Bachmann, who plans to wrestle at 171 pounds, and is the first Raptors wrestler to earn a top-ten ranking from Minnesota wrestling magazine “The Guillotine.” Bachman, who posted a 30-11 record as a junior, finished third in the Section 4AA tourney. He’s ranked ninth overall in the Class AAA.

One key departure will be that of Phillup Gelfgren, who moved back to his homeland of Sweden in the off season. East Ridge, which was 0-9 in Suburban East Conference meets last year, is looking for their first win as a team against intra-district rivals Park and Woodbury. The Raptors will compete in a triangular against the Wolfpack and Royals Dec. 2 at Woodbury High School.

Tags: 2010 winter preview, east ridge, cottage grove, sports, wrestling, raptors, woodbury, preps