The biggest roar during Albert Lea’s dual with John Marshall came following senior Mitch Webb’s victory at 171 pounds Thursday in the opening round of the Section 1AAA team tournament.

Webb got the loudest ovation because of what he’s done to get to this point and his victory further signaled his emergence after beating some heavy odds just to return to the mat.

Webb spent last season as the team’s manager after blowing out all but one ligament in his knee on the football field.

Webb’s second period fall against John Marshall’s Cole Swanson came with the dual already decided, but the victory meant more for Webb and the Tigers, who have lacked victories in the upper weights.

“He’s got his confidence back,” said Tigers head coach Larry Goodnature. “That’s really important, our whole team has gained some confidence with those wins up there today.”

Swanson had a 24-9 record and pinned Webb earlier in the season, but in his last match inside the Albert Lea High School gym, Webb got a fall when he countered Swanson’s attempt to put him in a cradle.

Webb has come to expect opponents to try to attack his knee, which has limited flexibility, but outside of that much of the season has come as a surprise.

“I’ve done a lot better than what me and my parents have expected,” Webb said. “I was just going out for wrestling just for the fun of it — didn’t think I would make it to varsity, but Goody pushed me hard and I made it on the varsity and I’m getting better.”

The victory put Webb’s season record at 10-9 and started a strong night for Albert Lea in the upper weights.

Junior Caleb Gaudian followed with a fall against Alex Galavan at 189 and sophomore Christian Andersen got a fall at 285 for the Albert Lea, which recorded six falls in the match.

The Tigers move on to face Faribault Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Mayo Civic Center in the semifinals. The championship dual begins at 3 p.m.

Albert Lea 62, John Marshall 6

103—Garrett Wangsness (AL) dec. Carter Williamson 6-0; 112—Lucas Hansen (AL) dec. Tony Latwesen 4-2; 119—Nathan Evan (JM) dec. Devin Nelson 5-4; 125—Trey Hable (AL) pinned Charlie Stellpflug 3:04; 130—Dalton Westerlund (AL) tech. fall Makayle Brennan 20-4; 135—Cory Hansen (AL) pinned Timmy Vanderwiel 0:51; 140—Trevor Rasmussen (AL) dec. Tim Moore 9-2; 145—Carter Kortan (AL) tech. fall Mark Jorgensen 20-5; 152—Alex Evan (JM) dec. Caleb Kolodge 11-10; 160—Connor Kortan (AL) maj. dec. Ryan Williamson 9-1; 171—Mitch Webb (AL) pinned Cole Swanson 3:11; 189—Caleb Gaudian (AL) pinned Alex Galvan 5:26; 215—Alex Nielsen (AL) won by forfeit; 285—Christian Andersen (AL) pinned Austin Minea 2:24.