Jim Allison is counting on an inspired effort from his St. Edmond wrestling squad when they welcome North Central Conference rival Eagle Grove this evening for Senior Night.

Junior varsity action starts at 6:30 p.m., with varsity matches to follow.

"I think we match up fairly well with (Eagle Grove)," Allison said. "We wrestled a couple of close ones against them on Saturday (at the NCC meet), so hopefully we can have have another good showing (tonight)."

Fourth-ranked (Class 1A) 103-pound senior Lance Maguire and No. 7 classmate Mason Waddell (140) each captured individual gold medals for the Gaels (9-15 overall) at Saturday's 43rd annual league meet in Eagle Grove. Maguire remains unbeaten on the season at 30-0, while Waddell currently owns a 26-6 mark.

In addition, freshman Teddie Harvey (135), sophomore Joe Winge (152) and juniors David Lindner (160) and Ben Kraayenbrink (215) all turned in fourth-place efforts for the green and white.

"I felt things went relatively well for us Saturday," said Allison. "We crowned two champions and bounced two kids from (five-time defending NCC champion) Clear Lake out, which is always tough to do.

"Our only problem was that we didn't win any of our wrestlebacks. That's the one area that really hurt us."

Sophomore Patrick Oberg (112), junior Ethan Feldmann (119), freshman Eddie Harvey (130), sophomore Patrick Lindner (145), freshman Dillon Nelson (171) and sophomore Ryan Rodenborn (189) round out tonight's Gael lineup.

"Weights 112, 119 and 145 should be the swing matches (Thursday)," said Allison. "For us to be successful, we're going to need some of them to step up and come through."

Eighth-rated (1A) senior Bryce Olson is the top grappler for Eagle Grove. Olson earned his second straight NCC title Saturday with a pin (35 seconds) of Iowa Falls-Alden's Cody Knott in the 189-pound finals.

Matt Reed (112) and Cody Harrison (145) both settled for runner-up honors for the Eagles.

Eagle Grove scored a 54-30 victory over St. Edmond a year ago.

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