| 01/14/2013 |
| Loudenburg claims championship at Mitchell, Donahue picks up 200th win |
| By LARRY LEEDS, Sports Editor |
The Howard Tigers wrestling team participated in the Mitchell Tournament on Saturday. The Tigers had one individual champion, a runner-up and two third-place wrestlers, plus a wrestler who won his 200th match.
Luke Loudenburg went through the 120-pound class unbeaten to win the championship. He opened the tournament with a pin against Trey Hohn of Mitchell in 5:48. He followed that up with an 18-3 technical fall over Carter Walch of Totino-Grace. In the championship, Loudenburg won by a 13-6 decision over Watertown's James Suter. James Jungwirth placed second in the 170-pound class. He pinned Noah Taylor of Mitchell in his opening match. Jungwirth then earned a thrilling 1-0 decision over Dawson Monfore of Pierre. In the championship, Tate Novotny of Winner slipped past Jungwirth, 6-3. Evan Donahue entered the 138-pound division with 197 career wins. Donahue picked up a major decision over Totino-Grace's Jared Florell 13-0. Tyler Dion of Wagner slipped past Donahue in the second match 7-6, keeping the Howard senior at 198 wins. Donahue picked up his 199th win over Nolan Donahue of Winner 5-4. In the third and fourth-place match, Donahue beat Myles Biala of Parkston 4-2 for his 200th career win. Donahue has been wrestling on the Tigers' varsity team since he was a seventh-grader. "I never thought about getting 200 wins," he said. "My first win was at Madison Square Garden Night. I was able to pin my opponent." He started out with 19 wins as a seventh-grader. "Evan is an extremely competitive kid," said Howard Coach Tyler Dahl. "He has the drive to be successful at whatever he is doing. His focus and intensity also help him to be such a good wrestler. In order to reach 200 wins, it takes many solid seasons in a row. It is a great accomplishment!" Noah Ruml has 246 career wins at Howard. "During high school practices, he (Donahue) can be seen helping other wrestlers and giving them instructions. Evan is our captain and the others look to him for leadership," Dahl said. Tanner Henkel placed third in the 152-pound division. He opened with a 5-4 decision over Brandyn Middlesworth of Winner. Mitch Heisinger of Parkston pinned him in the second match in 1:49. Henkel picked up a 10-1 major decision over Brady Soulek of Wagner. Henkel picked up a thrilling 4-2 overtime win over Middlesworth for third place. Nick Pardy finished fourth in the 182-pound class. Howard will swing back into action on Saturday at the Parkston Invitational.
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