The talk entering the wrestling season was that Rochester Mayo could be a stronger team than expected, but after Albert Lea’s 57-18 victory in Rochester Tuesday night some of that talk might have been premature.

The Spartans returned four wrestlers with state experience this season, but the Tigers scored an impressive win courtesy of another quick start.

Albert Lea, ranked No. 4 by The Guillotine, ran roughshod over Mayo as the Tigers opened up the dual meet with seven consecutive wins, including four pins and a technical fall.

Albert Lea (6-3) shuffled the lineup with a few wrestlers nursing some nagging injuries from the Christmas Tournament. Tyler Nelson wrestled at 103 pounds and pinned Devon Patton 5 minutes, 4 seconds into his match.

Trey Hable moved to 112 and pinned Jake Hanson at 3:46. Cory Hansen moved to 119 and pinned Colton Koster in 59 seconds.

Dalton Westerland followed with a pin of Blake Patton at 125 and Adam Clark won by forfeit at 130 as the Tigers jumped out to a 30-0 lead.

Cody Hansen had a technical fall victory over Marcus Wolf, a state entrant last year, at 130 and Trevor Rasmussen won by major decision over Aaron Martinson to extend the lead to 37-0.

Mike Minske, a state entrant last season, was held out of the Mayo lineup and the Tigers wrestled without Matt Tiegs and Jordan Holland.

“We beat some pretty good wrestlers,” said Albert Lea assistant coach Neal Skaar.

Ethan Reed added a pinfall victory at 215 when he pinned Corey Black at 1:28 as the Tigers picked up another conference dual victory. Albert Lea has won 36 consecutive conference duals.

The Tigers will face Anoka Saturday in what has been dubbed, “The Big Show” by many. The dual will live up to its billing again this year as Albert Lea and Anoka are ranked No. 4 and No. 3 in Class AAA by The Guillotine.

The previous two years the teams have met have gone down to the final match of the dual and the Tornadoes have prevailed each time.

“That will be a big one,” Skaar said. “I think we have the personnel.”

Albert Lea 57, Mayo 18

103 — Tyler Nelson (AL) pinned Devon Patton (M), 5:04. 112 — Trey Hable (AL) pinned Jake Hanson (M), 3:46. 119 — Cory Hanson (AL) pinned Colton Koster (M), :59. 125 — Dalton Westerland (AL) pinned Blake Patton (M), 1:14. 130 — Adam Clark (AL) won by forfeit. 135 — Cody Hansen (AL) tech. fall Marcus Wolf (M), 15-0. 140 — Trevor Rasmussen (AL) maj. dec. Aaron Martinson (M), 13-2. 145 — Warren Brink (M) dec. Zach Koziolek (AL), 14-7. 152 — Adam Kermes (AL) won by forfeit. 160 — Conner Kortan (AL) won by forfeit. 171 — Zach Hanson (M) pinned Caleb Gaudin (AL), 2:48. 189 — Jake Minske (M) won by forfeit.