ALGONA - Every time out, the St. Edmond wrestling squad continues to make gradual progress.

Jim Allison's Gaels (0-1 overall) will be put to the test once again here this evening when they square off with North Central Conference foes Algona and Clear Lake.

Varsity action is slated for 7 p.m. - weather permitting - at the Algona High School gym.

"We had a great day of practice Monday and worked on correcting the little mistakes that have been hurting us," Allison said. "I've been impressed with our attitude and determination to keep improving."

In their last outing at the Doug Wood Cougar Invitational on Saturday, SEHS placed second to host and defending champion Manson Northwest Webster. Senior Lance Maguire (103), junior Ben Kraayenbrink (215) and sixth-ranked (Class 1A) 152-pound senior Mason Waddell (140) all captured individual crowns for the Gaels, while freshman Trey Flatgard (112), sophomore Patrick Oberg (119) and junior David Lindner (171) each claimed runner-up honors.

Maguire, Kraayenbrink and Waddell anchor SEHS with perfect 4-0 marks on the year.

"We had a chance to win (the Cougar Invitational), but we lost all our points in the finals and wrestlebacks," said Allison. "I wasn't disappointed in our effort, though."

Freshman Teddie Harvey (135), sophomore Patrick Crimmins (145), classmate Joe Winge or freshman Michael Johnson (152), freshman Dillon Nelson (160) and sophomore Ryan Rodenborn (189) round out tonight's SEHS lineup.

Weights 125, 130 and 285 will all be open.

"I know Algona is good, and Clear Lake is always tough, too," said Allison. "We're going to need our older kids to step up and show some veteran leadership."

Algona (1-0) notched a resounding 63-9 home victory over Iowa Falls-Alden in their first dual meet of the season. Cameron Swalve (103), Jake Anderson (112), Micah Lavernz (130), Brad Bjustrom (135), Eric Spencer (140), Garrett Johnson (145), Jake Larson (152) and Kyle Walker (160) all registered pins for Algona.

Fifth-ranked (2A) senior Logan Johnson (215) is the lone ranked grappler for the Bulldogs. Johnson received gold at the Eagle Grove Invite this past weekend.

"St. Edmond looks to be a much-improved team, and Clear Lake lost a really talented group from last year, but they still have some quality kids back that are ready to prove themselves," said AHS head coach Brian Morgan. "Our goal is to make gains each time out, and I think we've done that so far."

Four-time reigning league champion Clear Lake (1-0) topped Hampton-Dumont in its debut by a 42-29 final. Casey Schwichtenberg (119), No. 8 (2A) Brady Horner (130), Jake Kopriva (152) and Logan Kellogg (189) each posted wins by fall for the Lions.

Defending 112-pound state runner-up and top-ranked Jacob Colon (119) remains sidelined for Clear Lake due to disciplinary reasons.

The Gaels fell to both the Lions (74-0) and Bulldogs (69-12) a year ago.

Contact Josh Meyer at (515) 573-2141, or by e-mail at sports@messengernews.net