MAHACA wrestlers fall to Minnewaska in quad

I must hand it to wrestlers, keeping their weight down - most of them anyway - during the holiday time of year. Many of us no doubt envy the incentive those guys feel to "push away from the table." Some say that's the best exercise there is.
Now that we have dispensed with that levity, let's review some recent prep mat action. Unfortunately for our Morris area fans, things were not rosy in the recent match vs. area rival Minnewaska Area. But the 'Waska fans were sure happy as their team won 57-9 over our MAHACA squad. The action was at 'Waska.
The Tigers knew a challenge awaited them, based on 'Waska's No. 12 ranking in state Class 'A'. Our dual vs. 'Waska was part of a quad event. Other participating teams were Border West and West Central Area. The host Lakers had a 3-0 day.
The battle of the "little guys," the 106-pounders, had our Caden Rose matched against Jacob Blair. Blair was the 6-1 winner. 'Waska Laker Easton McCrory defeated Davin Rose at 113 pounds, 3-1. Then at 120 pounds it was Caden Koziol of 'Waska getting his arm raised due to injury default vs. Dylan Rose. Ethan Lebrija of the Tigers decisioned Jackson Stadsvold 7-2 in the matchup of 126-pounders. And Jed Feuchtenberger of MAHACA got the job done at 132, winning by fall over David Lilienthal. The 138 slot had Ben Travis of the Tigers going up against Max Reichmann and it was Reichmann as victor, 7-4.
Mason Blair of the Lakers decisioned Dalton Rose 11-4 at 145 pounds. Adam Larson of the Lakers had his arm raised at 152 pounds where the outcome was a 6-3 decision over Gideon Joos. Ryan VanLuik was the fall winner for 'Waska at 160 pounds over Colten Wohlers. Nathan Rankin, 'Waska's 170-pounder, pinned Jacob Boots. Tyson Meyer was the fall winner over MAHACA grappler Tristian Raths at 182 pounds.
Tyler VanLuik of 'Waska had his arm raised unchallenged, a forfeit winner, at 195 pounds. It was ditto with a forfeit at 220 pounds where 'Waska's Dylan Jergenson prevailed. It was forfeit once again at the heaviest class, 285, where Jakob Swalla of the Lakers had his arm raised.
 
Boys hockey: Prairie Centre 9, Storm 3
The second period tells the story for understanding MBA hockey's December 20 game against Prairie Centre. This home ice action had the MBA boys allow six goals in period No. 2. Prairie Centre had already scored three goals so they certainly owned the momentum on the day. The Storm were dealt defeat 9-3.
Eli Fletcher got Prairie Centre started with a goal at :55 of the first, assisted by Preston Sorenson. Then it was Hunter Fletcher putting the puck in the net for Prairie Centre with an assist from Brady Miller at 6:18. Hudson Pung made the score 3-0 with his goal at 8:38, assisted by Hunter Fletcher and Miller.
MBA continued its scoreless ways through period No. 2. Meanwhile, Dominic Ritter scored a goal for Prairie Centre at 5:33 assisted by Andrew Custer. Hunter Fletcher kept the onslaught going with a goal at 10:02. A short-handed goal fueled Prairie Centre's momentum further at 10:49, assists from Sorenson and Cole Crosby. Then it was Pung getting the puck in the net short-handed style at 10:59, assists from Hunter Fletcher and Andrew Bick. Ian Gould of Prairie Centre struck with a goal at 15:22 with an assist from Hunter Fletcher. Then it was Jacob Imdieke scoring for Prairie Centre at 16:52 with an assist from Custer.
MBA got a little consolation by having a 3-0 scoring advantage in the third period. Kolby Goff scored, assisted by Jack Riley at :06. Mathew Tolifson scored with assists by Brady Loge and Brady DeHaan at 5:32. Then it was Hunter Blume scoring the last goal of the contest, assisted by Reece Kuseke at 9:00.
We had two players work in goal: Peyton LeClair (18 saves) and Chase Engebretson (three saves). Prairie Centre's goalies were Isaiah DeFoe and Jack Nedoroscik.
  
Controversy with local government?
Sounds like the Morris City Council would like more oversight with the hiring of the next police chief. They must not be comfortable with the status quo for doing this.
From the viewpoint of a common citizen, I think the Morris Police are way too zealous in pulling motorists over for infractions that are of minuscule importance. (I used to spell that word "miniscule" as in "mini-skirts," but that term dates me.)
For a while, I was seeing squad cars regularly pulling over motorists along Atlantic Avenue as I arrived for breakfast at a restaurant. I was puzzled: I saw no obviously erratic behavior, so I had to wonder, what's up? Is it possible that cops just randomly pull over people to check for insurance? I guess I would not be approving of that. There are cities where police are known to pull over people of color for this reason, just to sort of harass them I guess.
I have long thought the Morris Police get carried away. Seat belt sticks in my craw but I'm one of those older people who spent most of his life in a situation where seat belt was voluntary. I was personally perturbed when I got a ticket rather than a warning the first time I was pulled over for this.

I bumped into a City Council member at McDonald's one morning and as we waited, I expressed my concern about what had happened. The councilman smiled and said "revenue." In other words, police are helping government raise revenue with such actions - not the healthiest incentive, but when you have Minnesota governed by the likes of Tim Pawlenty, it ought not be surprising. Republicans are desperate to not raise taxes so they emphasize fees and fines to keep revenue coming in. It's concerning.
If the councilman was serious in his answer to me - "revenue" - I'm rather disconcerted. Is this why the city council wants more input in hiring, to ensure we have a police chief who acts by the more proper motives? If so, I laud our city council. We hear about police across the country who pull their guns and shoot innocent, unarmed people. My late mother who had a weak heart was scared every time she saw a police car.
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com