Gophers wrestlers crush Fresno State

Led by pins to start the match from two former St. Michael-Albertville wrestlers, Mitch McKee at 133 pounds and Tommy Thorn at 141, the Gophers thumped Fresno State 38-7 at the Maturi Pavilion on Sunday.

McKee recorded a fall over the Bulldogs' Trevor Williams in 1 minute, 30 seconds. Thorn followed by pinning Chris Deloza in 62 seconds, staking the Gophers to a 12-0 lead.

The Gophers (3-1) went on to win eight of the 10 matches, earning bonus points in each victory. Jake Short (157 pounds), Nick Wanzek (165), Chris Pfarr (174) and Bobby Steveson (197) all won by major decision. Ethan Lizak (125) and Owen Webster (184) each won by technical fall.

"I was impressed with our aggressiveness [Sunday]," Gophers coach Brandon Eggum said. "I thought guys wrestled with passion."

The Gophers next wrestle in the South Beach Duals on Dec. 29-30 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Minnesota United, taking advantage of a half-day trade window Sunday morning, made a deal with fellow 2017 expansion team Atlanta United for midfielder Harrison Heath, son of Loons coach Adrian Heath.

The Loons gave up a 2019 fourth-round draft pick.

Heath, 5-11 and 160 pounds, functions as a homegrown player, meaning he will take up residence on the Loons' reserve roster. He also has a green card, despite being a United Kingdom native, so he won't count as an international. Last season with Atlanta, he made $66,150, according to the MLS Players Union.

Later Sunday, MLS teams released their protected lists for the expansion draft, which takes place 1 p.m. Tuesday. Teams can protect 11 players; new club LAFC can then pick up to five players from the pool, maximum one per team.

Here is who the Loons left up for grabs: Bernardo Anor, Justin Davis, Thomas de Villardi, Vadim Demidov, Joe Greenspan, Miguel Ibarra, Ish Jome, Alex Kapp, Jose Leiton, Patrick McLain, Sam Nicholson, Rasmus Schuller, Jermaine Taylor, Johan Venegas, Kevin Venegas and Collen Warner.

Megan Ryan

The Gophers football team received their third verbal commitment from an offensive lineman this weekend when junior college tackle Jason Dickson announced via Twitter that he has chosen Minnesota.

Dickson, who visited during the Gophers' "eLITe18Palooza" recruiting event this weekend, joins guard Curtis Dunlap and tackle Daniel Faalele, both of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., in committing to the Gophers this weekend.

Randy Johnson

Eden Prairie senior Antonio Montero was named Mr. Football for 2017 by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association. Montero, a senior linebacker/running back/kicker, was chosen as the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year in November and helped Eden Prairie to the Class 6A championship with three touchdowns in a 38-17 Prep Bowl victory over Minnetonka.

Montero led the Eagles with 105 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss, recovered three fumbles and intercepted two passes, finishing his career with 219 total tackles. On offense, he scored a whopping 216 points this season with 24 touchdowns, 52 extra points and six field goals.