Prep wrestling: Willmar’s Carlson moves on to championship semis
ST. PAUL — Willmar freshman Colten Carlson won two decisions at 152 pounds Friday to advance to the semifinals of the Class AAA Individual State Tournament at the Xcel Energy Center.
Carlson notched a 10-6 win over Centennial’s Will Noll in the opening round and then edged Justin Herold-Plakut of Woodbury 7-6 in the quarterfinals. Carlson, now 40-5 on the season, will meet Anoka’s Brandon Krone in the semifinals.
Carlson qualified for state last year at 138 as an eighth-grader, but lost his only match as his opponent was beaten in the quarterfinals.
The Cardinals also had senior heavyweight Cass Herzog and junior Austin Miley at 132 reach the quarterfinals after winning their first-round matches. But both lost decisions decided by a point — Herzog 2-1 in triple overtime and Miley 3-2 — to get thrown into the consolation bracket.
Miley and Herzog, along with senior Nate Mittag at 126, sophomore Estevan Navarro at 138, sophomore Travis Deegan at 145, sophomore Vaughn Johnson at 160 and sophomore Augustine Hahn at 182, were eliminated from the tournament after losing in wrestlebacks.
126: NATE MITTAG — lost 9-0 major decision to Austin Jordan, Stillwater … lost 14-3 major decision to Tanner Mills, St. Michael-Albertville … eliminated
132: AUSTIN MILEY — won 5-3 decision over Austin Wals, Sauk Rapids … lost 3-2 decision to Alberto Ramirez, Henry Sibley … lost 16-0 technical fall to Carson Brolsma, Osseo … eliminated
138: ESTEVAN NAVARRO — pinned in 1:51 by Mitch Bengston, St. Cloud Apollo … lost 9-0 major decision to Lucas Hansen, Albert Lea … eliminated
145: TRAVIS DEEGAN — pinned in :58 by Dayton Racer, Apple Valley … lost 15-3 major decision to Travis Holt, Cambridge-Isanti … eliminated
152: COLTEN CARLSON — won 10-6 decision over Will Noll, Centennial … won 7-6 decision over Justin Herold-Plakut, Woodbury … in semifinals today against Brandon Krone, Anoka
160: VAUGHN JOHNSON — pinned in 1:46 by Tim Moore, Rochester John Marshall … pinned in :50 by Lucas Westrich, Lakeville North … eliminated
182: AUGUSTINE HAHN — lost 9-1 major decision to Tristyn Hanson, Lakeville North … lost 6-2 decision to Matt Njos, Anoka … eliminated
285: CASS HERZOG — pinned A.J. Dehn, Osseo, 3:19 … lost 2-1 decision in three overtimes to Michael Kessler, St. Michael-Albertville … pinned in 1:24 by Spencer Sorenson, Owatonna … eliminated
