St. Michael-Albertville wrestler coming up roses

The Thorn family home is adorned with championship wrestling photos from years past.

It's time to add one more.

Tommy Thorn, a freshman 103-pounder for St. Michael-Albertville, won the Class 3A championship Saturday at Xcel Energy Center with a 7-1 victory over Prior Lake's Tanner Johnshoy.

It was his third victory this season over the Lakers sophomore.

"A lot of counterattacks," Thorn said of his strategy for the match, which he thoroughly controlled for the entire six minutes. "It really hasn't sunk in yet. I'm sure it will sometime in the next day. It's definitely big."

Growing up in a household of winners pushed Tommy to this point.

David Thorn won four state championships for St. Michael-Albertville from 2006-09 while Mike Thorn was a three-time champ in 2004-06.

Little brother Tommy has his sights set on joining the multiple-title ranks of his older brothers, who are now both with the Gophers.

"The focus is almost always on wrestling," said Tommy, who finished this season with a 46-1 record. "It's the most important part of our family. It's definitely been helpful growing up in that kind of environment."

Knights wrestling coach Dan Lefebvre credited the Thorn family -- which also includes Christine, a junior guard for the Knights' girls' basketball team.

"The kids have a lot of athletic ability, and the family invests a lot of time into them," he said. "They find a way to win. They always seem to be in the right position at the right time."

All Apple Valley Seven Apple Valley wrestlers won Class 3A titles Saturday.

Seventh-grader Mark Hall won at 130, but his bid was nearly knocked off course in the semifinals. Wrestling Forest Lake's Ben Morgan, Hall needed a four overtimes to pull off the feat.

"I was extremely nervous for that match," said Hall, who won an 8-1 decision over Prior Lake's Brady Johnshoy in the finals. "And then to get put on my back like that -- I felt the ground shake from the crowd. After that, I couldn't get nervous anymore."

Crowd pleasers That same Richter scale-inducing reaction came hours later when a pair of defending champions from Apple Valley were defeated just a few minutes apart.

Hastings senior Zach Rohr struck first when he took down sophomore Daniel Woiwor 6-3 at 145 pounds. Anoka junior Kyle Begin then survived a late flurry against senior Steven Keogh in the 160 final.

RedemptionWhite Bear Lake heavyweight Donny Longendyke avenged his Section 4 final loss to Stillwater's Brock Horwath with a 3-2 overtime victory.