Like any sport, numbers are a big part of wrestling.
Two points for a takedown, one for an escape. Six minutes in a match, six team points for a pin to end it early.
In Apple Valley, they use numbers to talk about championships -- plural -- and many, many of them. Making its 30th consecutive team appearance at state last weekend, at Xcel Energy Center, Apple Valley wrapped up title No. 20 with a 49-24 victory over St. Michael-Albertville in the finals.
Two days later, four Eagles wrestlers finished the season as the state's individual champion at their respective weight. The most impressive performance came from a middle-schooler.
Eighth-grader Mark Hall finished an undefeated season at 145 pounds with a pin in the championship match. A model of consistency, Hall pinned his finals opponent in the exact same 3 minute, 38 second time it took for him to breeze through the opening round. He earned an 11-2 decision in the semifinals.
Hall has a long way to go, but he's on track to become the state's most decorated wrestler. His title Saturday came a year after he won the crown at 140 pounds as a seventh-grader. There have been four five-time state champions in Minnesota, but never a six-timer.
Eagles senior Brandon Kingsley became the 12th wrestler ever to finish his career as a four-time champion. Kingsley defeated Mitch Rechtzigel of Eastview 6-3 in the 160-pound final.
Other Apple Valley wrestlers who collected gold medals were Maolu Woiwor (106) and Seth Gross (120).
