Sunday, December 16, 2012
Wrestling

Share Print this Story Email this Story Photo Gallery Kasson-Mantorville

Desperately seeking competition

By Ben Pherson, Rochester Post-Bulletin

Heavyweight Sam Stoll of Kasson-Mantorville turns his opponent Mick Nelson of Mounds View before pinning him Friday in the Minnesota Christmas Tournament. (Photo courtesy Rochester Post-Bulletin)

Kasson-Mantorville junior Sam Stoll is one of the best heavyweight wrestlers in the nation. Several national publications have Stoll ranked No. 4 overall.

For the last few years, Stoll has had plenty of competition in Minnesota. But now, after Stoll, the pool of talent at heavyweight is quite thin. There’s not another Minnesota heavyweight close to cracking the national rankings.

In fact, it would be surprising if Stoll lost to another Minnesota wrestler this season, even at an elite event like this weekend’s Minnesota Christmas Tournament.

So Stoll faced an interesting dilemma heading into this season — week after week, he’d be wrestling against athletes who simply aren’t on his level. He needed someone or something to push him, motivate him and keep him focused.

Stoll’s motivation came in the form of a...

CLICK HERE to read the full article. Courtesy: Rochester Post-Bulletin