A group of six local wrestlers competed in the second annual Border Battle last Friday night at Crestwood High School in Cresco, Iowa. The host Iowa squad avenged last year's 37-31 loss to the Minnesota seniors with a 46-6 win.

A large crowd of approximately 1,000 people were treated to 13 matches between the top Iowa high school wrestlers and the top Minnesota grapplers.

"Iowa won all the close matches," said tournament spokesman Jim Turvold. "There was great sportsmanship by both teams. It was a good tournament again this year."

Southland seniors Adam Landherr, Joe Klaehn, Zach Stratton and Pete Churchill and Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Kingsland matmen Taylor Bunne and Kyle Stern participated in the second Border Battle. Landherr, who finished the season 38-2 at 160 pounds for the Rebels, accounted for the only two Minnesota victories.

Landherr defeated 9-2 decision over Postville's Blair Everman in the second match, and he decisioned Pat Fisk of MFL-Mar-Mac 6-0 in the final bout of the dual. Landherr, after an 0-1 showing at state as a senior, finished with a career record at Southland of 167-28 in six seasons with the wrestling squad. He was the state runner-up at 152 in 2002.

Klaehn was pinned in his only match by South Winneshiek's Mitch Hageman in 2:27. Klaehn was cut short of state for Southland this season and finished the year with a 34-6 record.

Stratton lost a 2-0 decision to Brent Bleitz of MFL in his only bout. Stratton, a two-time state qualifier, finished his senior season 33-10.

Churchill lost a 1-0 decision in the opening bout to Fisk and a major decision to Derek Pike of Nora Springs-Rock Falls, 14-6. Churchill was a 140-pound state qualifier in his senior season, during which he compiled a 34-10 record.

GMLOK matmen Bunne and Stern both lost in their only matches. Bunne was pinned by Crestwood's Mark Jensen and Stern lost an 11-5 decision to Crestwood's undefeated state champion Eric Pedretti. Pedretti won the 171-pound Class 2A title in Iowa.

Stern ended his senior season with a 26-10 record and a fifth-place finish at the Section 1AA meet. Bunne, a two-time state qualifier, finished the season with his second straight state appearance and a 33-4 record.

In the highlight match of the dual, Mitch Langreck of Turkey Valley, Jackson Junction 7-6 decision over Kevan Meiners of Caledonia. Langreck went 41-1 en route to the Class 2A title at 215, while Meiners (39-0) was Minnesota's 215-pound champion at Class AA.

Hank Becker of Rushford-Peterson, Matt Erickson from Fillmore Central and Gary Burrichter of Caledonia also made the trip as a part of the Minnesota squad.

The Border Battle was established by the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame to continue promoting wrestling, to give college coaches one last look at our area's top wrestlers, and to help support the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame.

"We had 28 athletes featured in 18 matches last year and it was just sensational," said Dennis Meirick, an organizer of the event. "We drew nearly 700 fans last year and we're thinking this year will be even bigger and better."

Last year a crew of five area wrestlers made the trip to Cresco, including Austin's Spencer Wolner, Mike Miles and Mitch Bunne of GMLOK, Ryan Klemmensen from Blooming Prairie and Tom Hamilton of Southland.

Results:

Pete Fisk (MFL) dec. Pete Churchill (Sol) 1-0.

Adam Landherr (Sol) dec. Blair Everman (Post) 9-2.

Travis Turner (Post) pinned Matt Erickson (FC) 0:35.

Mitch Langreck (TV) dec. Kevan Meiners (Cal) 7-6.

Brent Bleitz (MFL) dec. Zach Stratton (Sol) 2-0.

Dustin Hofler (RRMR) dec. Gary Burrichter (Cal) 8-1.

Chris Phillips (SW) dec. Hank Becker (R-P) 5-1.

Mark Jensen (Crest) pinned Taylor Bunne (GM) 1:48.

Tylor Burke (Crest) pinned Taylor Bestor (FC) 2:37.

Mitch Hageman (SW) pinned Joe Klaehn (Sol) 2:27.

Eric Pedretti (Crest) dec. Kyle Stern (GM) 11-5.

Derek Pike (NSRF) major dec. Pete Churchill (Sol) 14-6.

Adam Landherr (Sol) dec. Pat Fisk (MFL) 6-0.

Exhibition: Langreck (TV) pinned Wade Machin (Os), 2:28.