This past weekend the wrestling team at Lindbergh Senior High traveled to Kansas City to compete in the Winnetonka Invitational, which featured some of the top programs in the state.

But the Flyers have been bitten by the injury bug and four of their top grapplers were out of competition for the weekend. Seniors A.J. Peters (171 pounds), Joe Catalano (125 pounds) and Kevin Duniven (140 pounds) along with junior Jeff Striebig (130 pounds) were all out of action due to various injuries.

Lindbergh ended up taking seventh of 10 teams at the tournament.

“Our biggest problem all season has been injuries,” Flyers head coach Tom Gose told the Call. “We were not worried about going in and winning the tournament.”

Senior Daniel Virtue (145 pounds) took runners-up honors, which was Lindbergh’s highest finish in the tournament.

“He’s been one of the better guys on our team for the past few years,” Gose said. “He won a tough semifinal and getting second is a real confidence booster for him.”

Senior Frank Pichler (160 pounds) and freshman Jesse Cain (103 pounds) each grabbed fourth place for the Flyers, which brought good reviews from the Flyers’ head coach.

“Frank’s one of our unheralded guys,” Gose said. “He’s had one heck of a year this year and is wrestling with a lot more confidence.”

Although Cain is just a freshman, he’s been a consistent performer throughout the season and tends to not be intimidated by the competition.

“Jesse’s been good all year long in tournaments,” Gose said. “He’s only a freshman, but he’s not intimidated. He’s had an excellent year.”

The Flyers are back in action this Friday evening as they travel to Oakville in what has become a good measuring stick for both teams.

If you throw in the school’s natural rivalry, you have the elements for what could be an exciting dual meet.

“It’s more symbolic (the Oakville match) than anything else.” Gose said. “It’s become a kind of backyard brawl thing. The problem that I’m going to have is who I’m going to have in my lineup. Right now we’ve just got to keep a positive attitude.”

The Oakville match is slated for a 6 p.m. start.