Elmer goes 4-0, Tigers place 11th in season opener

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Returning state qualifier Carl Elmer picked up where he left off last season for the Farmington wrestling team at Saturday’s season-opening Paul Wolf Panther Invite at Lakeville North High School.

Elmer, 28-9 a year ago, was the only Farmington wrestler to finish first in his weight class in the 16-team tournament, winning all four of his matches at 140 pounds. He opened with a 6-4 decision, then advanced to the finals with a pair of pins. Elmer closed out his perfect afternoon with a 7-2 decision over Phil Bates of Hudson.

“Carl wrestled very strong,” Farmington coach Jon Lund said. “He had a great effort for a come-from-behind win in the first round and completely dominated every aspect of his final three matches.”

Hudson won the meet with 311 points, while Farmington was 11th with 104 points. The Tigers entered wrestlers in just six weights and two of them — Will Pauling and Eric Adrian — finished third. Pauling went 2-1 at 152 pounds and Adrian went 2-1 at 171 pounds. Both wrestlers lost close semifinal matches before winning in the consolation round.

Returning state place-winner Nick Albano, the state’s top-ranked wrestler at 215 pounds, opened with two wins via pin before losing decisions in his final two matches and placing fourth.

“215 was the strongest weight in the tournament,” Lund said. “Nick will no doubt refocus and reestablish his effort to reach his goals.”

Farmington was also represented by Seth Franklin, who went 2-2 with two pins at 130 pounds, and Josh Iverson, who lost twice at 135 pounds.

Tags: sports, wrestling