Palic, Lanning, Nordquist go unbeaten

By RYAN RICHTER

Staff writer

The first half of the Marion High School wrestling team’s season is in the books and Warrior wrestling coach Tyler McMichael is pleased where his team is at this time of year.

Now comes the grueling second half of the season.

The Warriors put the icing on the cake Friday night, playing host to the vicious Marion County Duals with action taking place in both Marion as well as Hillsboro.

Out of 16 competing schools, including six of the state’s top 10 programs, and 22-ranked wrestlers, Marion finished 13th, posting a 2-3 record as a team.

“That’s not bad, there’s just not a lot you can do in duals when you’ve only got five wrestlers,” McMichael said. “We started the night kind of slow against Clay Center, but they’re a pretty good team.

“We weren’t quite where we needed to be when we started, but as the night progressed, we got better. We cut back on giving up the points on pins, too.”

All five of the Warrior wrestlers won at least one match with the trio of Todd Palic, Luke Lanning, and Charlie Nordquist storming through the tournament unbeaten at 3-0.

Also competing and picking up wins were Forrest Slater and Will Alleven.

The day did indeed get off to a bumpy start for the Warriors, dropping a decisive 54-18 loss in pool action to eventual champion Clay Center.

Class 3A’s fourth-ranked Fredonia Yellow Jackets were too strong in the Warriors’ second match, prevailing 48-21.

Marion closed out pool play without a win, tumbling to Rock Creek, 48-30.

The Warriors bounced back in the consolation bracket to down West Elk, 30-12, before closing out the day edging Remington, 27-24.

Marion opens the second half of its season Jan. 4 and 5 at Norton’s brutal J.R. Durham Invite, which annually showcases some of Class 3-2-1A’s top wrestlers and programs.