The Albert Lea wrestling team hosted Farmington Saturday afternoon for the annual Wrestling Day, which started with the eighth annual Corey Goodnature youth tournament at 9:30 a.m.

No. 6 Albert Lea was able to overcome some early defeats at the hands of Farmington, and cruised to its 20th dual win of the season, 50-19.

Seventh-grader Cole Glazier got things started off on a positive note for the Tigers. He wrestled his way to a 4-1 decision victory. No. 4-ranked junior Nic Cantu picked up five team points with a 19-3 technical fall at 113 pounds.

Freshman Caleb Talamantes would suffer a major decision loss to his No. 7-ranked opponent, followed by freshman Josiah Hedensten falling to a pin with just nine seconds remaining in the match. The Tigers would lose their third straight match after senior Jake Johnsrud came out on the losing end of a match that went down to the closing seconds.

Down by a score of 13-8, Albert Lea would find its footing and go on to not lose a single match in which they had a wrestler.

Senior Gavin Ignaszewski picked up a pinfall victory over his opponent, followed by two down-to-the-wire matches. First, senior Ty Harms won his match by decision after getting an escape to take the lead with under 10 seconds remaining.

After senior Garrett Grandstrand would pick up a forfeit victory, freshman Griffin Studier would win in a match that was decided by one point.

Albert Lea would then record three straight pinfalls to put the dual far out of reach. The first came from senior Brody Nielsen, who pinned his opponent in 25 seconds. Junior Zach Glazier then got his pin in 42 seconds. Senior Spencer Indrelie would get the final pin of the night, recording his just over a minute into the match.

The Tigers would give up six points at 220 by leaving the weight class open, but they would take six points right back when junior Christian Garcia won a forfeit victory.

“Today’s win was important to us,” said head coach Paul Durbahn. “Farmington is a section opponent and the win meant something to the team and to our individuals for section seeding purposes. Our kids have done a good job embracing the correct attitude and work ethic to progress and peak at the right time of year.”

Albert Lea is now 20-3 in duals this season and will go up against Winona on Thursday, before the long-awaited dual against Owatonna on Saturday to determine the Big Nine Conference champion.