The Blue Earth Area wrestling team suffered their first conference loss of the season, 30-24, in New Ulm on Friday, Jan. 22.

The Eagles trailed 24-23 going into the final two matches.

But, the home team had two of the state’s top rated Class AA wrestlers taking the mat.

At 215 pounds, No. 4-ranked Jake Schmidt hung on for a 1-0 decision over Taylor Andrews to put New Ulm ahead, 26-24.

No. 1-ranked heavyweight Pat Brinkman sealed the victory with a 13-4 major decision over Josh Johnson to make the final score 30-24.

With the win, New Ulm shares the South Central Conference lead with BEA and St. James.

The Bucs started out fast, getting a pin from Travis Hagedorn at 103 pounds.

Jake Wirtjes registered a fall at 119 and Joe Franta had a 3-0 decision at 135 to build the Bucs lead to 15-11.

New Ulm got two decisions and a pin in the next three matches to pull ahead, 21-15.

BEA tried to come back as they won the next three matches, Carter Hanson (160); Daniel Eckhardt (171); and Cody Eckhardt (189) to pull ahead 24-23.

New Ulm 30, BEA 24

103: Travis Hagedorn (BEA) forfeit.

112: Ethan Orr (NU) maj. dec. Jesse Alleven, 12-4.

119: Jake Wirtjes (BEA) pinned Henry Thoreson, 1:45.

125: Ryan Hoffmann (NU) dec. D.J. Gronewald, 3-2.

130: Luke Derksen (NU) maj. dec. David Franta, 9-0.

135: Joe Franta (BEA) dec. Cole Cihak, 3-0.

140: Luke Schmit (NU) dec. Matt Dulas, 8-4.

145: Sam Sletta (NU) dec. Abi Vasquez, 5-3.

152: Jamie Gieseke (NU) pinned Chris Ramos, 2:26.

160: Carter Hanson (BEA) dec. Jordan Lilleodden, 7-4.

171: Daniel Eckhardt (BEA) dec. Anthony Mathiowetz, 5-2.

189: Cody Eckhardt (BEA) dec. Adam Dauer, 11-5.

215: Jake Schmidt (NU) dec. Taylor Andrews, 1-0.

285: Pat Brinkman (NU) maj. dec. Josh Johnson, 13-4.