KROX has received the Section 8AA Wrestling preview from the official Mat Rat, Roger Mischke! KROX thanks him for his outstanding work on putting the preview together. The preview is below –
MAT RATS SECTION 8AA PREVIEW 2019-2020
FAVORITES: DETROIT LAKES LAKERS and the PERHAM YELLOWJACKETS
DARK HORSES: PEQUOT LAKES-PINE RIVER/BACKUS ROAD CREW and the PIERZ PIONEERS
DETROIT LAKES LAKERS
Head Coach: Rob Ullyott
Conference: Mid-State
Section 8AA
The Lakers will have back from their Section 8AA runner up team nine section place winners, including four state qualifiers, of which they return a state champion and seven others with a great deal of experience. Look for the Lakers to challenge those very good dual meet marks of 27-4 from last season. They did graduate four seniors, including three state qualifiers. Look for them to challenge for section dual meet honors and possible for AA state honors. They are the favorite to defend their conference honors. The key leaders thru out the season should include: Isaiah Thompson, Blake Weber, Brody Ullyott, Cade Jackson, Jordan Skansen and Cade Okeson all with 30+ wins.
27-4 Overall Duals 5-0 Mid-State
Section 8AA Runner Up
Thirteen Section Place Winners/Seven State Qualifiers/State Champ
First Place: Fosston/Bagley “Alfred Olson” Invite: 276 pts. 14 Placers
First Place: TRF “Army/National Guard” Invite: 181.5 pts. 13 Placers
First Place: Foley “Tom Keating Memorial” Invite: 217.5 pts 13 Placers
Second Place: Cass Lake “Big Bear” Invite: 174 pts. 8 placers
Second Place: Bemidji “Rick Lee” Duals
First Place: Mid-State Duals
Second Place Freshman Region
Returning Wrestlers:
Isaiah Thompson 12th 45-3 1st Sec./State Champ/AC
Brody Ullyott 11th 36-13 3rd Section/AC
Cade Jackson 9th 36-12 1st Section/AC
Cade Okeson 9th 35-9 2nd Section/AC
Blake Weber 12th 35-11 3rd Section/AC
Jordan Skadsem 12th 33-12 3rd Section/AC
Blaine Henderson 11th 28-18 3rd Section/AC
Bradley Swiers 10th 24-12 2nd Section
Andrew Annette 11th 21-23 5th Section
Garett Nelson 11th 17-21
Andrew Barnett 11th 9-6
Carson Wold 11th 8-7
Clint Anderson 10th 4-7
Cale Abraham 9th 5-7
Tyson Ullyott 9th 3-3
Thad Schlauderaff 11th 1-7
Graduates:
Noah Olds 41-11 2nd Section/AC (119-47 Career)
Fabyon Greer 30-5 1st Section/AC (126-49 Career)
Brennen Sather 32-20 4th Section/AC (63-56 Career)
Charles Barnett 30-12 2nd Section/AC (70-53 Career)
PERHAM YELLOWJACKETS
Head Coach: David Vetsch
Conference: Heart O’Lakes
Section 8AA
The Yellowjackets will have back from the section championship team seven section place winners, including five state qualifiers, of which two were won state honors. They will also have six with a range of experience. They will be hard-pressed to improve on their awesome dual meet campaign of 31-2 from last season. They graduated seven section place winners, including five state qualifiers, of which four earned state honors. Look for the Yellowjackets to make a challenge for section honors and to defend their conference honors despite the huge loss through graduation. Their key leaders should include: Dawson Kellogg, Jack Fudge, Owen Werner, Gabe Bellefeuille and Brian Ramos thru out the season.
31-2 Overall Duals 5-0 Heart O’Lakes
Section 8AA Champions
State Class AA Third Place
Fourteen Section Place Winners/Ten State Qualifiers/Six State Place Winners/State Champ
First Place: Fargo “Rumble on The Red” Invite: 175.5 pts. 8 Placers
Second Place: STMA “Knights” Invite: 168.5 pts. 13 Placers
First Place: Bemidji “Rick Lee” Duals
First Place: Grand Forks “Sertoma” Duals (4-0)
First Place: Heart O’Lakes Conference: 251 pts. 14 Placers
Returning Wrestlers:
Dawson Kellogg 12th 45-6 1st Sec./4th State
Jack Fudge 11th 46-6 1st Section/AC
Gabe Bellefeuille 12th 37-19 2nd Sec./6th State
Owen Werner 12th 37-10 1st Section/AC
Brian Ramos 10th 29-16 2nd Section
Aaron Lorentz 12th 16-7
Garett Covington 11th 14-10
Blake Lorentz 10th 13-9 6th Section
Rowdy Lindquist 12th 12-16 5th Section/AC
Braydon Roch 8th 5-8
Dom Gottwalt 12th 2-4
Isaac Lung 12th 2-8
Colton Hackel 10th 2-2
Graduates:
Ty Moser 46-0 1st Sec./State Champ/AC (196-30 Career)
Zachary Peterson 50-2 1st Sec./2nd State/AC (207-45 Career)
Dylan Fudge 44-7 2nd Sec/2nd State/AC (202-60 Career)
Leighton Rach 39-11 2nd Sec./4th State/AC (148-72 Career)
Blaze Brady 43-9 2nd Section/AC (63-15 Career)
Matthew Bush 13-25 3rd Section
Colton Satter 11-11 4th Section
Colton Kostynich 14-7
THIEF RIVER FALLS PROWLERS
Head Coach: Kenny Geiser
Conference: North Star
Section: 8AA
The Prowlers will have back from their 20-7 dual meet campaign and their final four team seven section place winners, including two state qualifiers, along with nine with a wide range of experience. They did graduate five seniors last spring, including two state qualifiers, one did earn state honors. Look for this young team to continue to improve and very possibly challenge those dual meet numbers from last year. They should make a strong challenge for a repeat final four in what should be a balanced section. Their key leaders should included, Jake Davis, Cole Johnson, Cody Wienen, Griffin Lundeen, Mason Iverson, Brody Kasprick and Brandon Zuniga thru out the season.
20-7 Overall Duals
Final Four Section 8AA
Ten Section Place Winners/Four State Qualifiers/One State Placer
First Place: WDC “Dennis Kaatz Memorial” Invite: 213.5 pts. 10 Placers
Third Place: Cass Lake “Big Bear” Invite: 167 pts. 6 Placers
First Place: Fertile “Northwest” Invite: 167.5 pts. 12 Placers
Fourth Place: Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa “Jaguar” Invite: 170.5 pts. 11 Placers
Fourth Place: TRF “Army/National Guard” Invite: 155.5 pts. 10 Placers
Third Place: WHAN “Wolfpack” Invite: 141 pts. 11 Placers
Second Place: Grand Forks “Sertoma” Duals (3-1)
Fourth Place: Bemidji “Rick Lee” Duals
Returning Wrestlers:
Jake Davis 12th 47-7 2nd Section
Cole Johnson 12th 42-8 1st Section
Cody Wienen 10th 35-13 5th Section
Griffin Lundeen 8th 31-16 3rd Section
Mason Iverson 11th 30-17 3rd Section
Brady Kasprick 10th 25-6
Brandon Zuniga 11th 23-18 6th Section
Kale Geiser 9th 22-27 4th Section
Ethan Lane 8th 12-14
Aaron Bruggeman 12th 9-16
Isaac Johnson 12th 4-11
Jolson Sargent 10th 2-4
Jackson Ingrum 9th 2-0
Alex Lancto 12th 1-11
Riley Poissant 8th 1-2
Graduates:
Cade Lundeen 50-2 1st Sec./3rd State (218-49 Career)
Brendan Peralta 30-8 2nd Section (122-52 Career)
Kyle Miller 27-16 5th Section (91-73 Career)
Cody Sele 10-16 (63-102 Career)
Kevin Jensen 13-28
PEQUOT LAKES/PINE RIVER-BACKUS ROAD CREW
Head Coach: Travis Hoffarth
Enrollment: 494 Pequot Lakes/190 Pine River-Backus
Conference: Mid-State
Section 8AA
The Road Crew will have back from their good 18-10 dual meet campaign eight section place winners and eight others with a great deal of experience. They did graduate three seniors, of which two were section place winners. They could possibly challenge those dual meet records from last season. They might make a challenge in this section dual meet campaign, one that should be very balanced. If the Road Crew stays healthy they have a very good season, the key leaders should include: Jake Poehler, Connor Tulenchik, Kennan Dahl, Josh Pettit, Caleb Ruhr, Evan Koenig and Owen Carlson to be their key leaders thru out the season.
18-10 Overall 4-1 Mid-State
Ten Section Place Winners/One State Qualifier
First Place: LPA “Terry Teigen” Invite: 184 Pts. 12 Placers
Second Place: Minnewaska “Lakers” Invite: 185 Pts. 12 Placers
Seventh Place: Wadena/Deer Creek “Dennis Kaatz Memorial” Invite: 112 Pts. 10 Placers
Fifteenth Place: Cass Lake “Big Bear” Invite: 77 Pts. 5 Placers
Returning Wrestlers:
Jake Poehler 12th 39-9 4th Section/AC
Connor Tulenchik 10th 35-10 2nd Section/AC
Caleb Ruhl 10th 29-14 4th Section
Josh Pettit 12th 29-17 4th Section
Keenan Dahl 12th 26-18 4th Section
Evan Koering 12th 26-19 4th Section
Owen Carlson 10th 22-24 6th Section
Myca Reynolds 12th 17-19
Austin Staricha 10th 15-14
Grant Thompson 9th 10-14
Caleb Knapp 9th 9-16 5th Section
Finnegan O’Dell 10th 8-12
Matthew Foster 9th 6-15
Riley Peters 8th 4-9
Chance Abraham 8th 3-2
Logan Mejdrich 10th 1-0
Graduates:
Harley Large 24-13 5th Section (48-35 Career)
Tim Ryan 16-13 6th Section (49-46 Career)
Riley Wilson 18-9 Injured (51-37 Career)
PIERZ PIONEERS
Head Coach: Skip Toops
Conference: Granite Ridge
Section 8AA
The Pioneers will be moving into the Granite Ridge Conference after competing in the Central Minnesota Conference for several years. The Pioneers did graduate a lot of very talented wrestlers last spring, a total of eight seniors, including three state qualifiers and four-section place winners. They will have back three section place winners along with seven with a great deal of experience. Their key leaders should include, Trevor Radunz and Brandon Funk. If they continue to improve and stay healthy thru out the season, they could possibly challenge those dual Meet numbers from last season.
18-10 Overall 6-0 Central Minnesota
Final Four Section 8AA
Ten Section Place Winners/Three State Qualifiers/One State Placer
Second Place: New London Spicer “Wildcat” Invite: 168.5 Pt. 11 Placers
Fifth Place: Brainerd “Paul Bunyan” Invite: 133.5 Pts. 9 Placers
Seventh Place: Rick Lee Duals
Returning Wrestlers:
Trevor Radunz 10th 35-9 3rd Section/AC
Brandon Funk 12th 21-22 3rd Section
Ross Boser 11th 16-25 6th Section
Riley Hokins 12th 10-27
Tanner Young 12th 13-15 AC
Jacob LeBlanc 9th 6-17
Brandon Schlegel 11th 5-15
Cael Becker 11th 4-12
Frank Tobertin 10th 3-8
Blake Brutger 9th 3-6
Graduates:
Jake Andres 41-6 1st Section/AC (169-44 Career)
Reese Kapsner 38-6 1st Sec./6th State/AC (167-56 Career)
Carson Huls 38-8 2nd Section/AC (111-34 Career)
Brandon Tomala 31-12 6th Section
Jacob Gotvald 24-19 4th Section
Austin Dickmann 18-9 4th Section/AC
Sebastian Warzeka 17-7 Injured/AC
Austin Radunz 11-5 5th Section
DILWORTH-GLYNDON FELTON REBELS
Head Coach: David Kosen
Conference: Heart O’Lakes
Section: 8AA
The Rebels will have back form their 9-6 dual meet campaign six-section place winners and five others with a great deal of experience. They did graduate three seniors last spring, including a pair of section place winners. They could challenge their dual meet marks from last season if they continue to improve. Their key leaders should include; Carter Schmidt, Hunter Fischer, Brodie Strand, Logan Tucker, and Zander Jensen thru out the season.
9-6 Overall Duals
Eight Section Place Winners
Third Place: Heart O’Lakes Conference 110.5 pts. 9 Placers
Second Place: Hillsboro Duals (4-1)
Fourth Place: LPA “Terry Teiken” Invite: 129.5 pts. 7 Placers
Fourteenth Place: Cass Lake “Big Bear” Invite: 84.5 pts. 5 Placers
Ninth Place: HLWW “Lakers” Invite: 57.5 pts. 4 Placers
Returning Wrestlers:
Carter Schmidt 12th 29-11 5th Section
Brodie Strand 10th 21-18 5th Section
Hunter Fischer 11th 20-18
Logan Tucker 12th 18-16 4th Section
Cade Sogge 12th 17-20 5th Section
Zander Jenson 11th 16-13 6th Section
Preston Johnson 11th 15-16 3rd Section
Dawson Zatz 11th 14-23
Tristan Olson 12th 9-12
Camden Mustatia 8th 5-10
Colton Zutz 8th 3-4
Graduates:
Jack Fuchs 41-7 3rd Section/AC
Dylan Taves 16-10 5th Section
Bryce Anderson 7-4
ALEXANDRIA CARDINALS
Head Coach: Alden Stuchen
Enrollment: 1120
Conference: Central Lakes
Section 8AA
The Cardinals will have back five section place winners, including two state qualifiers and four others with a great deal of experience. They did graduate two seniors last spring, including one section place winner. But look for this young team to continue to improve thru out the season, they should improve on their dual meet numbers from last season. They have a new look this season, they will be in Section 8AA, where they could possibly challenge for a top-four spot in what should be a very balanced section. Look for Ryan Borris, AJ Sparr, Blaze Nelson, JP Rodel, and Alex Runge to be their key leaders thru out the season.
7-11 Overall 2-5 Central Lakes
Six Section Place Winners/Two State Qualifiers
Fourth Place: Minnewaska “Lakers” Invite: 135 Pts. 8 Placers
Fourth Place: Howard Lake/Waverly “Lakers” Invite: 115.5 Pts. 8 Placers
Third Place: Mora “Mustang” Invite: 118 Pts. 12 Placers
Sixth Place: Alexandria “Big Ole” Invite: 102 Pts. 8 Placers
Seventh Place: WCA “Grant County” Invite: 77 Pts. 6 Placers
Seventh Place: Litchfield “Dragons” Invite: 74 Pts. 4 Placers
Twenty-Second Place: Redwood “River Riot” Invite: 37.5 Pts. 2 Placers
Returning Wrestlers:
Ryan Borris 12th 36-11 2nd Section/AC
AJ Sparr 11th 26-18 6th Section
Blaze Nelson 9th 13-12 2nd Section
Alex Runge 11th 22-21
JP Rodel 11th 21-23 6th Section
Cody Vatnsdal 9th 5-8 6th Section
Kelly Johnson 9th 17-21
Kyler Miller 11th 15-21
Cody Richardson 10th 6-22
Graduates:
Trappier Botz 20-11 3rd Section (55-44 Career)
Jack Roth 6-15
UNITED CLAY BECKER BADGERS
Head Coach: TBA
Conference: Heart O’Lakes
Section: 8AA
The UCB Badgers will have back four-section place winners and eleven others with a great deal of experience. They did graduate seven seniors last spring, including three section place winners. If this team continues to improve and stay healthy they could improve on their good dual marks from last season. Their key leaders should include Sam Helgeson, Wyatt Durham, Zach Cole, Nathan Sperr, Jacob Beaudine-Schlick and Ryan Sperr thru out the season.
12-6 Overall Duals
Seven Section Place Winners
Third Place: Crookston “Rod Olson” Invite: 137 pts. 8 Placers
Second Place: Fertile “Northwest” Invite: 134.5 pts. 10 Placers
Third Place: LPA “Terry Teiken” Invite: 142.5 pts. 9 Placers
Fourth Place: Heart O’Lakes Conference: 102.5 pts. 9 Placers
Third Place: Hillsboro Duals: (3-2)
Returning Wrestlers:
Sam Helgeson 11th 28-6 4th Section
Wyatt Dunham 10th 20-14 6th Section
Ryan Sperr 9th 16-9
Nathan Sperr 12th 16-14
Zach Cole 11th 15-15 5th Section
Andrew Wetli 11th 11-16 6th Section
Jack Beaudine-Schlick 12th 13-11
Tanner Weyer 11th 7-13
Jackson Mikkelsen 8th 6-17
Carlton Hamre 10th 6-9
Xavier Strehlow 10th 6-9
Landon Bergrove 11th 4-11
Taylor Johnson 9th 4-2
Darrin Kroshus 10th 3-7
Graduates:
Garrett Peterson 29-8 4th Section/AC
Sanden O’Connell 18-13
Hunter Magnusson 17-12
Joe Stuhaug 18-6
Bailey Johnson 12-14 6th Section
TJ Hines 9-7 6th Section
Jack Mattson 3-6
ROSEAU RAMS
Co-Head Coaches: Scott Mooney/Tony Jensen
Conference: North Star
Section: 8AA
The Rams will have back four-section place winners, including a pair of state qualifiers and two with some experience. They did graduate three seniors last spring, including two state qualifiers, with one earning state honors. Look for this young team to fill with some of their junior varsity and middle school wrestlers. They should show signs of improvement throughout the course of the season. Their key leaders should include: Sawyer Klatt, Ben Olson, Race Knochenmus and Connor Eidsmoe thru out the season.
Overall Dual Record Unknown
Seven Section Place Winners/Four State Qualifiers
Fourth Place: Fertile “Northwest” Invite: 117.5 pts. 7 Placers
Fourth Place: Fosston/Bagley “Alfred Olson” Invite: 100 pts 7 Placers
Sixth Place: Crookston “Rod Olson” Invite: 114 pts. 6 Placers
Eighth Place: Casselton “Central Cass Lettermans” Invite: 122 pts. 7 Placers
Seventeenth Place: Cass Lake “Big Bear” Invite: 74 pts. 2 Placers
Ninth Place: TRF “Army/National Guard” Invite: 77 pts. 5 Placers
Returning Wrestlers:
Ben Olson 11th 39-6 2nd Section
Sawyer Klatt 12th 34-9 2nd Section
Race Knochenmus 11th 33-10 3rd Section
Connor Eidsmoe 11th 13-18 5th Section
Brutus Grindahl 12th 8-10
Bovee Hovda 9th 2-1
Graduates:
Chandler Mooney 46-1 1st Sec./2nd State
Dale Grindahl 32-14 2nd Section
Kyle Bliss 1-10 6th Section
FERGUS FALLS OTTERS
Head Coach: Adam Schlepp
Conference: Central Lakes
Section 8AA
The Otters will have back three section place winners, including a state medal winner and twelve others with a great deal of experience. If this team stays healthy and they continue to improve they will improve on those dual meet numbers and they will upset someone before the season’s end. They did graduate three section place winners. They will be looking for key leadership from Dustin Portales, Kaden Hartwell, Eli Sorum, Damon Britten, and Jacob Widness.
4-18 Overall 0-7 Central Lakes
Six Section Placers/One State Qualifier/One State Placer
Sixth Place: WCA “Grant County” Invite: 93 Pts. (5 Placers)
Seventh Place: Benson “Braves Classic” Invite: 91 Pts. 6 Placers
Returning Wrestlers:
Dustin Portales 12th 35-4 1st Sec./4th State/AC
Kaden Hartwell 11th 30-8 3rd Section
Damon Britten 12th 12-20
Eli Sorum 12th 13-7
Jacob Widness 9th 11-23 6th Section
Caden Olson 11th 5-21
Caden Roberts 9th 2-13
Lance Joe Graff 9th 4-20
Ethan Leopold 9th 3-17
Sam Sorum 10th 4-20
Juan Jay Rodriguez 12th 2-27
Lucas Oliphant 10th 3-23
Braeden Wagner 12th 2-28
Graduates:
Justin Boyd 21-19 6th Section
Cole Fromming 9-30 6th Section
Tyson Back 4-13 6th Section
SAUK CENTRE/MELROSE
Head Coach: Vaughn Glasener
Conference: West Central
Section: 8AA
The Coop will have back two-section place winners and twelve others with a wide range of experience. They did graduate one senior last spring, a Section place winner. Look for this young team to continue to improve thru out the season. They will be hard-pressed to move up in the WCC standings, as it will be balanced. The section 8AA dual meet campaign will be a very balanced battle. Their leaders should include Karter Wensmann, Coy Sjogren, Josh Brinkman and Lazaro Garcia thru out the season.
Overall Duals Unknown 0-7 WCC
Three Section Place Winners
Eighth Place: SCM Invite: 46 Pts. 5 Placers
Ninth Place: Paynesville “Bulldog” Invite: 74 Pts. 4 Placers
Ninth Place: New London-Spicer “Wildcats” Invite: 37 Pts. 2 Placers
Returning Wrestlers:
Karter Wensmann 12th 21-18 4th Section
Josh Brinkman 10th 17-19
Lazaro Garcia 12th 8-4
Josh Brinkman 10th 17-19
Coy Sjogren 11th 8-17 5th Section
Anthony Morales 10th 7-0
Gregory Weiers 12th 4-9
Ed Rangel 11th 2-9
Mitchell Christen 9th 2-21
Abraham Lora 11th 2-5
Jacob Canfield 11th 1-17
Moe Martinez 11th 1-6
Graduate:
Sam Sjogren 31-8 3rd Section/AC (45-76 Career)