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Last update: February 2, 2005 at 10:50 AM

John Millea,  Star Tribune

With his past, present and future all represented, Glencoe-Silver Lake senior Nate Matousek made high school wrestling history Tuesday night.

In a Glencoe gymnasium filled with fans and adorned with colorful handmade signs saying "Congrats Nate!" and "We Love You Nate!", the farmboy did what no Minnesota wrestler had ever done: He recorded career victory No. 234.

His past? The two-time state champion has been a fixture on the Panthers varsity since seventh grade. His present? He is the state's No. 1 Class 2A 160-pound wrestler in The Guillotine's rankings, and is ranked sixth nationally by Amateur Wrestling News.

His future? Gophers coach J Robinson was on hand to watch his future pupil.

Matousek's victory -- a 29-second pin of Mankato West's Alex Bohman at 171 pounds -- gave him a 36-0 season record, extended his winning streak to 111 since December 2002 and put his career mark at 234-13.

The previous record was held by 2003 Medford graduate Mitch Kuhlman, who finished at 233-11. Kuhlman now wrestles for the Gophers.

"I didn't want to let anybody down," Matousek said. "I was anxious to get out there. The crowd support was amazing, and that makes this even more special. Everybody I know was here."

Glencoe-Silver Lake defeated Mankato West 36-17.

Matousek, who tied the record Saturday, said he was "calm and anxious" in the time between victory No. 233 and No. 234. And when did he know the record was his? "I knew when I stepped on the mat," he said.

Matousek didn't take to the mat until 10:02 p.m. The evening involved three teams; Glencoe-Silver Lake, Mankato West and LeSueur-Henderson. Glencoe-Silver Lake and LeSueur-Henderson met in the opening dual at 5 p.m., which Matousek sat out.

The second dual was between Mankato West and LeSueur-Henderson, followed by the dual between the home team and Mankato West.

Adam Aho, a 2004 Frazee graduate, ranks third with 225 victories. Eric Sanders, a 2003 graduate who was a five-time state champion, ranks fourth with 223.

Since wrestlers are limited to 36 regular-season matches, Matousek's next competition is the Section 5 tournament and a quest for a third state championship.

John Millea is at jmillea@startribune.com.

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