Park wrestling: Wolfpack pins No. 11 White Bear Lake

Park wrestling head coach Jim LaBrosse said his team finally put it all together.

Park upset No. 11-ranked White Bear Lake 35-31 in a Suburban East Conference dual meet on Thursday, Jan. 24, in White Bear Lake.

“It was truly a total team effort,” LaBrosse said. “Our coaching staff tells the kids to believe in themselves, believe in each other and good things will happen and that’s exactly what happened.”

Though without junior leader Cody Linssen, who is lost for the year with a knee injury, the Wolfpack persevered against the Bears, winning seven of 14 matches.

With just the 4-point win each individual victory was equally as important. However, with White Bear Lake leading 28-26 with just three matches remaining, Zach Wills and Devon Hubbard delivered huge wins.

After Park forfeited to White Bear Lake’s Tommy Longendyke at 182 pounds, Wills — a freshman — won 5-0 at 195 pounds to put Park up 29-28. Hubbard, also a freshman, then won with a pin at 220 pounds to put the Wolfpack ahead 35-28 and mathematically clinch the match for Park.

Also earning victories for Park was freshman Collin LaBrosse, 15-6, at 113 pounds, sophomore Daniel Duval, with a pin, at 132 pounds, junior David Giadyu, with a 23-10 major decision at 138 pounds, sophomore Cory Flaata, with a pin, at 160 pounds and sophomore Nick Craton, with a pin, at 170 pounds.

“Conditioning was a big factor tonight, we defiantly won that battle and that breeds confidence,” LaBrosse said. “No doubt it has been a tough couple weeks losing so many close duals after the loss of Cody (Linssen). I am proud of how our team responded to the challenge and that they realize that there is still work to do.”

Next, Park is at Mounds View on Thursday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m.

Tags: sports, wrestling, park, wolfpack, prep, updates