It started out well for Wadena-Deer Creek’s Steven Erkenbrack, but it changed in a matter of moments during the Class A Individual Championships at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., on March 2.
The Wolverine senior was stopped short in his bid to advance to the quarterfinals when he was pinned by Rush City/Braham’s Dalton Mielke at the one minute and 55 second mark of their match. Mielke entered the contest ranked ninth in the state, boasting a record of 35-3.
Erkenbrack started out fast, pushing the issue against Mielke. He almost got caught for a takedown in the early moments, but eventually got the first points of the match.
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However, Mielke reversed it on Erkenbrack and got him on his back. Erkenbrack tried to break free but was caught and was eventually pinned at the 1:55 mark.
Erkenbrack will need Mielke to win in the quarterfinals to continue on in the wrestlebacks later in the evening. Mielke will take on Canby’s Jaden Kindopp. Kindopp is 34-11 on the season and finished the season ranked sixth at 182. The Class A quarterfinals take place during the 4 p.m. session at the Xcel Energy Center, with the wrestlebacks following the quarterfinal round results.
