CHAMPLIN &8212; It was strength versus strength Saturday in the finals of the Champlin Park Tournament as No. 5 Albert Lea squared off against No. 3 Wayzata. However, it was Wayzata that proved to be stronger topping the Tigers 37-14.

The first six weights went Wayzata&8217;s way helping it build a big lead &8212; something the Tigers are accustomed to doing &8212; and went on for the win.

&8220;We have wrestled the top four teams with the exception of Apple Valley this year, and this is the best team in Minnesota that we have faced,&8221; Albert Lea head coach Larry Goodnature said.

&8220;They are so strong from 103 to 135 and they are predominately a senior team so this is their year.&8221;

Sixth-ranked Ryan Arne pulled the upset of the Tigers&8217; top-ranked Cody Hansen at 103 winning 5-4. That was followed with fifth-ranked Dan Zilverberg&8217;s pin of Tim Aldrich in 1:10, and defending state champion Derek Schriener took care of Trevor Rasmussen with a 16-1 technical fall.

No. 1 David Zilverberg extended Wayzata&8217;s lead to 18-0 by downing No. 10 Logan Kortan 12-2, and No. 3 Brian Litch downed No. 3 (at 125) Eric Johnson 3-0 at 130. Isaiah Harris rounded out the impressive start with a pin of Isaac Johnson in 2:56.

Zach McGinnis would put Albert Lea on the board with a 5-0 victory over Karl Lymangood, while second-ranked Beau Hansen finished a perfect 4-0 day with a 5-2 decision at 145.

Logan Hansen picked up the lone win for the Tigers in a match decided by two points or less against Wayzata winning 2-1 in overtime at 160. Top-ranked Matt Morris and No. 3 Taylor Ignaszewski picked up the final two wins for the Tigers.

&8220;We are progressing but we still have to learn to finish in the close matches,&8221; Goodnature said. &8220;We haven&8217;t peaked in our conditioning yet and hopefully when we do that will help with that.&8221;

The Tigers started the day with three dominating wins begining with a 61-6 victory over Park Center followed by a 41-16 win over St. Francis. That victory was especially sweet for Albert Lea after St. Francis gave the Tigers one of its few dual losses last season. Morris had a great match against St. Francis&8217; Robbie Kriesel &8212; who is No. 1 at 171 &8212; with Kriesel recording a first period takedown and holding on for the slim 3-2 win in the matchup of top-ranked wrestlers.

Albert Lea would advance to the championship bracket where it faced host Champlin Park in the semifinals 52-12. Eric Johnson had the biggest win of the dual beating a fellow state runner-up from a season ago in Josh Wiseman 15-9.

Albert Lea 61, Park Center 6

103 &045; Cody Hansen (AL) pinned Mark Smith :12, 112 &045; Tim Aldrich (AL) pinned Tanner Arvidson 1:36, 119 &045; Trevor Rasmussen (AL) dec. Tau Fu Xinog 7-4 125 &045; Logan Kortan (AL) dec. Alex Vosberg 3-0, 130 &045; Eric Johnson (AL) pinned Karl Lottman 2:23, 135 &045; Isaac Johnson (AL) tech. fall over Brandon Franz, 140 &045; Zach McGinnis (AL) pinned Sam Crockett :50, 145 &045; Zach Westermann (PC) dec. Anthony Tippett 5-1, 152 &045; Beau Hansen (AL) tech. fall Robert Dowd, 160 &045; Logan Hansen (AL) pinned Edward Strange 2:36, 171 &045; Matt Morris (AL) pinned Alex Pierce 2:48, 189 &045; Taylor Ignaszewski (AL) pinned Cory Direste :35, 215 &045; Bradon Reyerson (AL) dec. David Prokosch, 285 &045; Mike Poethner (PC) dec. Zak Drescher 3-1

Albert Lea 41, St. Francis 16

103 &045; C. Hansen (AL) pinned Jim Lambeth 3:28, 112 &045; Trent Herold (SF) dec. Aldrich 6-3, 119 &045; Travis Kripach (SF) maj. dec. Rasmussen 16-7, 125 &045; Kortan (AL) dec. Mack Rivarid 7-2, 130 &045; E. Johnson (AL) maj. dec. Mike Castellano 17-3, 135 &045; Jared Balvaser (SF) dec. I. Johnson 7-5, 140 &045; McGinnis (AL) pinned Mark Groh 2:47, 145 &045; Tipppett (AL) dec. Jesse Hansen 7-2, 152 &045; B. Hansen (AL) pinned Miles Starr 2:57, 160 &045; Kevin Baubt (SF) dec. L.Hansen 3-2, 171 &045; Robbie Kriezel (SF) dec. Morris 3-2, 189 &045; Ignaszewski (AL) pinned Travis Mattson 1:47, 215 &045; Reyerson (AL) pinned Nick Raun 4:24, 285 &045; Drescher (AL) pinned Blaine Hjelm 1:46

Albert Lea 52, Champlin Park 12

103 &045; C. Hansen (AL) pinned Skyler Gogkaysone 1:27, 112 &045; Aldrich (AL) pinned Deondary Wiseman :56, 119 &045; Rasmussen (AL) won by forfeit, 125 &045; Kortan (AL) maj. dec. Curtis Shaffer 8-0, 130 &045; E.Johnson (AL) dec. Josh Wiseman 15-9, 135 &045; Mile Kamarata (CP) dec. I. Johnson 10-7, 140 &045; Matt Barrason (CP) dec. McGinnis 6-3, 145 &045; Tippett (AL) pinned Shane Harwig, 152 &045; B. Hansen (AL) maj. dec. Aaron Clethen 11-0, 160 &045; L. Hansen (AL) maj. dec. Moses Chea 12-0, 171 &045; Morris (AL) pinned Nick Gnitka, 189 &045; Ignaszewski (AL) maj. dec. Al Quaye 12-0, 215 &045; Reyerson (AL) dec. Ed Cotlon 7-0, 285 &045; A.L. forfeit

Wayzata 40, Albert Lea 14

103 &045; Ryan Arne (W) dec. C. Hansen 5-4, 112 &045; Dan Zilverberg (W) pinned Aldrich 1:10, 119 &045; Derek Schriener (W) tech. fall Rasmussen 16-1, 125 &045; David Zilverberg (W) maj. dec. Kortan 12-2, 130 &045; Brian Litch (W) dec. E. Johnson 3-0, 135 &045; Isaiah Harris (W) pinned I. Johnson 2:56, 140 &045; McGinnis (AL) dec. Karl Lymangood 5-0, 145 &045; B. Hansen dec. Brant 5-2, 152 &045; Brent Landrum (W) maj. dec. Tippett 14-6, 160 &045; L. Hansen (AL) dec. Mickey Koemea 2-1 OT, 171 &045; Morris (AL) maj. dec. Blake Bargeson 15-4, 189 &045; Ignaszesski (AL) dec. Brian Folley 3-0, 215 –

Wonard (W) dec. Reyerson 3-1, 285 &045; Jack McPherson (W) dec. Drescher 4-2 2OT