Park wrestling: Linssen out for year with torn ACL

The Park wrestling team was dealt a pair of defeats in a non-conference triangular on Thursday, Jan. 10, at Wayzata High School. However, its biggest loss came off the mat.

Park learned that junior 220-pound wrestler Cody Linssen tore the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his knee and will be out for the season. The injury happened on Saturday, Jan. 5, in Farmington. Linssen had just one loss this season and was ranked third in the state in Class AAA in his weight class.

“Obviously a wrestler of his caliber can’t be replaced,” Park head coach Jim LaBrosse said.

It’s the second-straight year Linssen’s season has ended with an injury. At last year’s state tournament, Linssen was shredding opponents before tearing the labrum in his shoulder in the state semifinals and settling for sixth place.

In addition to Linssen, Park had a number of other wrestlers unavailable for the Wayzata triangular last week.

“We decided to fill the team with mostly JV kids to get them some experience,” LaBrosse said. “With the injuries and illnesses, we are just not very competitive now.”

At the match, Park lost 54-18 to Hopkins and 51-21 to Wayzata.

In the loss to Hopkins, sophomore Brandon Young earned a 16-9 win at 152 pounds, sophomore Cory Flaata won with a first-period pin at 160 pounds, freshman Zach Wills earned a first-period pin at 195 pounds and freshman Devin Hubbard won 10-4 at 220 pounds.

Against Wayzata, Park seventh grader Garrett Whitehead won 6-2 at 106 pounds, Young won with a second-period pin at 152 pounds and Sam Figlmiller and Stephen Zemke each won with forfeits, at 195 pounds and heavyweight, respectively.

Next up, Park plays host to Stillwater on Thursday, Jan. 17, at Park High School. It is Park’s Parent’s Night. The match starts at 7 p.m.

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