The Crookston Pirate wrestling team achieved something this past weekend that has only happened once in school history. The Pirates will be sending 6 individual wrestlers to the Class A State Tournament at the Excel Energy Center. The State Tournament will begin on Friday, with the finals taking place on Saturday. The only other time 6 wrestlers have made the Individual State Tournament for Crookston was back in 2011 when the team had Anthony Caputo, Josh Edlund, Wyatt Hanson, Brody Davidson, Blake Bergeron, and Nate Merten all earn berths. The six Pirate wrestlers who will be competing in this year’s State Tournament, are Evin Trudeau, Gavyn Hlucny, Carter Coauette, Ethan Boll, Ethan Bowman, and Hunter Knutson. We sat down with each one of them, as well as their Head Coach Wes Hanson to learn more about them, why they wrestle, and for those who have been at the State Tournament before, what it’s like competing at that level.
EVIN TRUDEAU
Evin Trudeau is a Sophomore and will be making his first trip to the State Tournament this coming weekend. Evin wrestled in the Section Tournament at 106 lbs. and was the Champion. Evin enjoys wrestling for a different reason than most of the boys. “I just enjoy being around my teammates every day,” said Evin. “It is a true brotherhood, and they make the sport lots of fun.” Evin has been wrestling for nine years and he is the first person in his family to take up the sport. Over the years one of Evin’s favorite events has been the Rumble on the Red Tournament because of the crowd and atmosphere. After talking with teammates that have competed at the State Tournament in the past, Evin says he can’t wait to get his own opportunity. “I am just looking forward to competing,” said Evin. “I’ve heard lots of great things about it, and with this being my first time it should be a lot of fun.”
The Crookston Pirates Wrestling Head Coach Wes Hanson had nothing but compliments to give Evin, on who he is not only as a wrestler but as a person. “He is incredibly hard-working and always gives you his all,” said Pirates Head Coach Wes Hanson. “He is the kind of guy that always shows up to every team function, is there during the summer training, and always puts in extra work which has allowed him to get to where he is not only as a wrestler but as a student and person as well.”
GAVYN HLUCNY
Gavyn Hlucny is only an 8th grader this season, and he will be competing at the State Tournament for the first time in his young wrestling career. Gavyn wrestles at 120 lbs. and was a Section Champion in his weight class this past weekend. Gavyn noted this is one of his favorite years competing in the sport. “I would say it’s probably the best year I’ve ever had,” said Gavyn. “I haven’t had a ton of years like this, so it’s been very enjoyable.” This is Gavyn’s seventh year of wrestling and he picked it up thanks to his cousin. “I watched my cousin wrestle a lot growing up,” said Gavyn. “He was wrestling at a young age and that’s what made me want to do it as well.” As of now, Gavyn’s favorite memory of wrestling will be his fifth, and sixth grade years, when he traveled around a lot and competed in several events. Gavyn is hopeful to get his first match off to a good start during the State Tournament so it will settle his nerves and allow him to compete to his fullest capabilities.
Coach Hanson when talking about Gavyn, noted Gavyn’s accomplishments are extremely impressive given he’s only in 8th grade. “Gavyn has had a great season for us and always delivers,” said Pirates Head Coach Wes Hanson. “Winning a Section Championship at that age is incredibly impressive and not many people can do it. He has a good head on his shoulders and has been competing extremely hard this season. Him winning that Section title this past weekend is something I will always be able to remember.”
CARTER COAUETTE
Carter Coautte is a Sophomore this year and will be making his second trip to the State Tournament. Like a few of his teammates, his first trip came two years ago while he was just an 8th grader. He was wrestling at 106 lbs. during his first State Tournament appearance and will be competing at the 138 lb. weight class this upcoming weekend. Last time during the State Tournament, Carter’s opportunity got cut short. “I lost my first match last time I went, and then I didn’t even get to wrestle my second match,” said Carter. “So not that it wasn’t enjoyable, but I am really looking forward to going this time and getting more than one chance to wrestle. I also would love to get my first win down there.” Carter says he has really appreciated the brotherhood that has been built over the years of wrestling, and that he considers his teammates his closest friends. “I really appreciate the brotherhood that has been built,” said Carter. “I just love the nature of it as well.” Wrestling is a family affair for the Coauette’s, as Carter’s father, grandfather, uncles, and many others in his family all wrestled growing up. Carter’s favorite part of his wrestling career came this past weekend, when he beat two opponents he lost to in the regular season, to help himself win the Section Tournament and clinch a berth to State.
Coach Hanson believes Carter’s wrestling this past weekend, was some of the best wrestling he has ever seen from him. “What Carter did this past weekend was incredible. Right from the start of the tournament, he was locked in,” said Pirates Head Coach Wes Hanson. “Avenging two earlier regular-season losses was big for him, but also not being satisfied with that and pushing through and winning the entire tournament was great to see. I’m very proud of Carter for everything he has given this team and he is a guy I’m looking forward to watching this weekend with it being his second time down at State.”
ETHAN BOLL
Ethan Boll is a Junior and will be making an appearance in the State Tournament for the third time in his wrestling career. Ethan was a Freshman the first time he wrestled in the State Tournament at 182 lbs. and he managed to finish sixth place. He also made the State Tournament last year as a Sophomore and competed at 195 lbs. Ethan was ranked #2 in the State most of this season at 195 lbs., but he bumped up to 220 lbs. for the Section Tournament and State Tournament for one reason. “My goal is to win a State Championship,” said Ethan. “I can see myself doing that at 220 lbs., so I thought it was the best choice for me.” Ethan has been wrestling his entire life and says his favorite part is the physicality of the sport, which should come as a surprise to nobody, as he is also the starting Running back on the Crookston football team. Ethan made it very clear his main goal is to win the tournament. “My main goal is to win the whole thing either this year or next year,” said Ethan. “It is cool to wrestle at the Xcel Energy Center, but for all I could care, we could wrestle here at Crookston, my main focus is going to be winning the tournament.” Ethan’s favorite accomplishment came this past weekend when he recorded his 30th pin of the year, setting the all-time Crookston Pirate Wrestling single-season pin record.
Coach Hanson noted Ethan is the ultimate competitor. “Ethan is one of our captains and he is the kind of guy that brings it every single day,” said Pirates Head Coach Wes Hanson. “You look back on the season that Ethan has had, and it’s been absolutely dominating. Setting the single-season pins record is a testament of that, and I’m proud of how hard he works and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do down at State.”
ETHAN BOWMAN
Ethan Bowman is also a Junior at the Crookston High School, and he will be making his second trip to the State Tournament, with the first being two years ago as a Freshman. Ethan was a runner-up in the Section Tournament this past weekend, earning him a trip to the State Tournament. Ethan was wrestling at 113 lbs. as a Freshman when he made the State Tournament, but this year he will be wrestling at 145 lbs. Ethan wasn’t pushed into wrestling by anyone in particular but said he has always liked it since he was little. “I’ve been doing it since I was little, and I’ve always enjoyed it,” said Ethan. Ethan has also put together an incredible campaign as a Junior and was a big part of Crookston’s success this past season. Ethan says he appreciates one thing in particular about wrestling. “It teaches you to work hard,” said Ethan. “You have to have a good work ethic and determination. It teaches you how to battle and work through tough situations.” Ethan says he doesn’t have a specific memory he looks back on, and he is hopeful that the best is yet to come. He also hopes his teammates get to experience and enjoy the incredible atmosphere inside the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul this coming weekend.
When asked about Ethan Bowman and what comes to mind, Coach Hanson said it’s much more than just wrestling. “Ethan is a guy that constantly is giving back to our youth program,” said Pirates Head Coach Wes Hanson. “He is a student of the sport and that puts himself in a position to win. He is the kind of person that makes me proud to coach and to be able to say that he wrestles for me. He is always staying late at practice and working on things to improve on, and he’s always striving to be the best he can be and be the best person he can be. He is just a fantastic kid all around.”
HUNTER KNUTSON
Hunter Knutson is another Junior and has been wrestling for the past 10 years. Hunter was a True Second at the Section Tournament giving him a berth to the State Tournament. It wasn’t anybody in Hunter’s family that got him interested in the sport. “It was actually a bunch of my buddies that got me into wrestling when I was little. My dad wasn’t a wrestler,” said Hunter. Going to the State Tournament won’t be new for Hunter, as he made the trip a few years ago as a Freshman wrestling at 145 lbs. He currently wrestles at 182 lbs. and has put together another fantastic season, helping lead the Pirates into the Section semifinals as a team. Hunter is especially excited to go back to the State Tournament, as one of his most memorable matches took place there as a Freshman. “One of my favorite matches was for sure my second match at State my Freshman season,” said Hunter. “It was just really fun with the crowd and even though I lost the match it’ll definitely be something that sticks with me.” Hunter said his favorite part of wrestling is the reward of winning matches after putting in excruciating work.
Coach Hanson, as with all the other wrestlers, had nothing but great things to say about Hunter and his commitment. “Hunter is a guy that is always in the right position,” said Pirates Head Coach Wes Hanson. “He has a couple of techniques that he can use and score on almost anyone. He has been a great joy to coach this year and I’m excited he is going to get this opportunity again this weekend.”
Coach Hanson said he believes each one of these wrestlers has earned the right to compete in the State Tournament. “Each one of them works incredibly hard every single day,” said Pirates Head Coach Wes Hanson. “It is more than that though, they also do the right things every day on and off the mat. They always have a good attitude and all this work they’ve put in is showing.”
Coach Hanson is also hopeful that in the next couple of days each one of his wrestlers will take full advantage of the opportunity at hand. “We don’t have a Senior on our roster, so we are a young team and there are some younger guys heading down to the State Tournament this weekend,” said Pirates Head Coach Wes Hanson. “Anything can happen, so I am hopeful they can take full advantage of this opportunity, compete hard, and hopefully make a deep run at State.”
Coach Hanson also had one piece of advice he is giving each wrestler ahead of the two-day event in St. Paul. “It’s a big stage but you have to treat it like any other tournament,” said Pirates Head Coach Wes Hanson. “We built our schedule to give ourselves experiences like this and hopefully that will help prepare them for this State Tournament.”
The six Pirate wrestlers will begin their State competition this Friday in downtown St. Paul. We wish them the best of luck from all of us here at KROX!! Before they head down to the cities, however, the Crookston High School will have a State sendoff for the boys taking place tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. We encourage anyone who can get over to the High School tomorrow morning to do so, so that the boys can be sent off the right way before representing Crookston on the big stage. We will also have reports of the wrestling taking place over the weekend on KROX and on Kroxam.com after the completion of each round.
