Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City, which placed third in the Class A state tournament last season, looks to be as good again this season with 10 of its returning wrestlers having won at least 20 matches last season. The Falcons are picked as our preseason No. 1-ranked wrestling team.
At No. 2, Willmar brings back the majority of its wrestlers from a 13-9 team that reached the section final. The Cardinals will be previewed in Saturday's paper, the day they open the season.
Litchfield is our No. 3 pick with a solid cast back from a 21-6 team that reached the section championship.
Coming in at No. 4 is a bit of a surprise. New London-Spicer has been slowly emerging as team to be reckoned with and after going 12-6, the Wildcats return seven wrestlers that won as many as 20 matches last season.
And rounding out the top five is Yellow Medicine East, a team that went 21-3 last season and return several stellar wrestlers.
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ACGC
West Central South
The Falcons finished third in Class A last season and bring back 10 wrestlers that won 20-or-more matches from a 29-4 team, including 103-pound state champion Jeremy Anderson (44-1), a junior, and state 189-pound runner-up Nic Leither (45-1), a senior.
Ben Meyer (45-2), a junior, was fourth at state at 112 pounds. Leither and A.J. Frederiksen (22-7), a 160-pound senior, have over 100 career wins and Bill Wheeler (35-9), a 125-pound senior, and Meyer will reach that figure early this season.
COACH
Tim Roberg
2005-06 RECORD
4-2 in West Central South; 29-4 overall
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FALCONS' ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Jeremy Anderson, junior (44-1)
112: Ben Meyer, junior (45-2); Daniel Fuchs, sophomore
119: Scott Litzau, sophomore (7-1)
125: Bill Wheeler, senior (35-9)
130: Dave Litzau, junior (3-3); Jake Frericks, junior (2-9)
135: Matt Pearson, senior (24-10)
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140: Travis Whitcomb, sophomore (4-4)
145: Erick Larson, senior (23-21)
152: Travis Frederiksen, sophomore (21-19)
160: AJ Frederiksen, senior (22-7); Tony Sparks, senior, 0-1; Nic Walthers, senior
171: Micah Larson, sophomore (27-18)
189: Nic Leither, junior (45-1)
215: Dave Nelson, senior (11-8)
275: Josh Lies, senior (22-16); Jake Carlson, junior (0-1)
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BBE
Central Minnesota
The Jaguars have just one wrestler with varsity experience and five other regulars from an 11-16 team, including Travis Rath (42-5), a 152-pound seiophomore who was sixth in the state last season.
Austin Kampsen (23-19), a 145-pound junior, and Anthony Rooney (20-21), a 135-pound sophomore, both won 20-or-more matches last season.
COACH
Rich Vos
2005-06 RECORD
3-2 in Cenral Minnesota; 11-16 overall
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JAGUARS' ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Danelle Baker, sophomore (3-3)
112: Josh Beier, sophomore
119: Joey Tensen, senior
125: Travis Winter, freshman (1-0)
130: Cole Tensen, freshman (15-23)
135: Anthony Rooney, sophomore (20-21)
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140: Brent Goodenbour, freshman (1-6); Scott Simonson, junior
145: Austin Kampsen, junior (23-19)
152: Travis Rath, sophomore (42-5); Tommy Schroeder, senior (7-20); Brent Gregory, junior
160: Undecided
171: Undecided
189: Undecided
215: Brett Landwehr, junior
275: Jerry Villalbazo, freshman (3-6); Matt Simonson, senior
Benson
West Central South
The Braves look to improve from last season's 5-10 mark with 11 regulars back, eight that posted double-digit win totals.
Ryan Thompson, a 125-pound freshman, was third in the sections and finished with a 23-14 reord a season ago. Brandon Berens (21-14), a 152-pound junior, also won over 20 matches.
COACH
Steve Ricard
2005-06 RECORD
2-4 in West Central South; 5-10 overall
BRAVES' ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Matt Plumhoff, eighth-grade
112: Jesse Lundebrek, freshman (0-17); Josh Frentzel, freshman (0-5)
119: Jesse Lundebrek, freshman (0-17); Brett Hoffman, sophomore (19-20); Brandon Hanson, eighth-grade (1-6)
125: Ryan Thompson, freshman (23-14)
130: Brad Plumhoff, junior (19-16)
135: Preston Flolo, senior (5-20)
140: Miles Staton, freshman (13-23); Preston Flolo, senior (5-20); David Tweten, freshman (1-7); Brady Wersinger, freshman (1-11)
145: James Huston, sophomore (3-21); Turner Carson, sophomore (0-1)
152: Ryan Unke, senior (10-27); Brandon Berens, junior (21-14)
160: Ryan Unke, senior (10-27); Brandon Berens, junior (21-14)
171: Tim Lundebrek, junior (13-17)
189: Undecided
215: Chris Carruth, sophomore (15-24); Jon Pierce, junior (5-24)
275: Jon Pierce, junior (5-24); Dalton Staton, sophomore (0-3); Justin Golden, freshman (0-4)
BOLD/BL-Hector
West Central South
The Warriors placed fifth in Class AA and finished with a 26-6 record.
Back from that squad are eight regulars and 15 letterwinners in all, including four that won over 30 matches; Pat LeVasseur (37-8), a 119-pound junior who was a state runner-up last season; Ross Neubauer (34-12), a 135-pound senior who was a state participant; Chris Harmon (34-12), a 140-pound senior; and Brian Hagen (31-14), a 215-pound senior.
COACH
Tom Gruhlke
2005-06 RECORD
6-0 in West Central South; 26-6 ovrall
WARRIORS' ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Kyle Schulte, freshman (1-0)
112: Alex Steffel, eighth grade (8-11)
119: Pat LeVasseur, junior (37-8); Brett Jahnke, sophomore (12-15)
125: Tom Brenner, senior (22-22); Brent O'Halloran, eighth grade (0-2)
130: Undecided
135: Ross Neubauer, senior (34-12)
140: Chris Harmon, senior (34-12)
145: Undecided
152: Tyler Kramer, senior (6-5)
160: Sam Steffel, sophomore (2-1)
171: Kyle Pietig, junior (8-11)
189: T.J. Scheibel, senior (3-1)
215: Brian Hagen, senior (31-14)
275: Brent Christensen, senior (5-5)
Dawson-Boyd
Camden
The Blackjacks are coming off a solid 17-8 season and bring back 10 regulars in the lineup, including Cameron Jurgenson (31-11), a 130-pound junior who was fourth at state. Three other state participants are also back for the Blackjacks; Justin Sather (25-5), a 112-pound junior; Jake Bothun (25-13), a 125-pound freshman; and Ryan Swenson (28-9), a 119-pound eighth grader.
COACH
Ross Jurgenson
2005-06 RECORD
3-3 in Camden; 17-8 overall
BLACKJACKS' ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Undecided
112: Justin Sather, junior (25-5); Austin Oswald, freshman (7-11)
119: Ryan Swenson, eighth-grade (28-9)
125: Jake Bothun, freshman (25-13)
130: Cameron Jurgenson, junior (31-11)
135: Jim Bothun, senior (1-0)
140: Randy Strand, junior (18-17)
145: Hank Ireland, junior (7-13)
152: Allan Kurtenbach, junior (3-10)
160: Ty Ochsendorf, freshman
171: Josh Staab, freshman
189: Undecided
215: Chris Schacherer, senior (15-12); Christian Olson, freshman
275: Ben Gustafson, freshman
KMS
Camden
The Fighting Saints were one of the youngest teams in the area last season and are still one of the youngest, but have a lot more experience with 13 regulars back.
Kevin Steinhaus (37-5), a 140-pound sophomore, was third in the state a year ago. He is already 110-12 for his career. Also back is Brad Kneisl (32-10), a 215-pound sophomore; Spencer Almen (29-11), a 135-pound junior; Mitchell Hagen (24-18), a 160-pound sophomore; Joel Bauman (22-16), a 171-pound freshman; Cody Kinney (22-18), a junior heavyweight; and Alex Baker (22-17), a 160-pound senior. Chris Braaten, a 189-pund junior, fell just short of 20 wins at 19-8.
COACH
Wes Haglund
2005-06 RECORD
2-4 in Camden; 9-10 overall
FIGHTING SAINTS' ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Tyler Carlson, freshman (14-10); Kurt Timmons, freshman
112: Klinton VanHeuveln, eighth grade; Joey Paulson, sophomore; Casey Krieger, eighth grade
119: Jacob Engler, freshman (16-17); Aaron Doraska (check spelling), eighth grade
125: Undecided
130: Aaron Zimmer, sophomore (8-25); Trevor Mahlum, eighth grade
135: Spencer Almen, junior (29-11)
140: Luke Baker, senior
145: Kevin Steinhaus, sophomore (37-5)
152: Matt Stassen, freshman (6-23); Jeremy Merrill, senior
160: Mitchell Hagen, sophomore (24-18); Alex Baker, senior (22-17)
171: Joel Bauman, freshman (22-16)
189: Chris Braaten, junior (19-8); Adam Wentzel, sophomore
215: Brad Kneisl, sophomore (32-10)
275: Cody Kinney, junior (22-18)
Lac qui Parle Valley
West Central South
Even though its loaded with sophomores, first-year coach Jeremy Brady will have a team loaded with experience.
Sophomore Colton Kanstrup at 125 pounds heads a group of five wrestlers that won 10-or-more matches last year with 19. Sophomore Matt Brehmer (160) won 18 times, sophomore Zac Zinda (145) 14, junior Nick Hanen (130) 12 and senior Brett Tostenson (135) 11.
COACH
Jeremy Brady
2005-06 RECORD
1-5 in West Central South; 3-13 overall
EAGLES' ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Dylan Croatt, freshman
112: Tanner Avelsgard, sophomore (7-17)
119: Colby Judovsky, sophomore (8-5)
125: Colton Kanstrup, sophomore (19-12)
130: Nick Hanen, junior (12-19)
135: Brett Tostenson, senior (11-18)
140: Nate Stottler, sophomore (5-4); Brock Kanstrup, senior (3-3)
145: Zac Zinda, sophomore (14-16); Lucas Tosel, freshman
152: Jack Massee, sophomore (6-22)
160: Matt Brehmer, sophomore (18-15)
171: Fritjof Engebretson, senior (6-18)
189: Tony Ludvison, senior
215: Jason Mackenzie, freshman
275: Undecided
Litchfield
Wright County
Mike Knisley (29-15), a 112-pound senior, returns after being a state participant last season when the Dragons were 21-6. Fourteen other Litchfield wrestlers returning all spent time in the lineup, giving them one of the more experienced teams in the area.
David Malepsy (24-13), a 152-pound senior; Jared Flemming (24-11), a 171-pound senior; and Jeremy Forster (23-10), a 215-pound senior; also are back after posting over 20 wins.
COACH
Mike Fiedler
2005-06 RECORD
7-0 in Wright County; 21-6 overall
DRAGONS' ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Undecided
112: Mike Knisley, senior (29-15)
119: Aaron Seiffert, sophomore (3-5); John Binsfeld, sophomore (10-21)
125: Jeremiah DeBoer, senior
130: Damian Heariet, sophomore (14-22); Dan Cox, freshman (4-3)
135: Brandon Skalberg, junior (19-17); Alex Sherwood, sophomore
140: Elliot Bachman, senior (0-1); Alex Berglund, junior (2-5); Dylan Gunderson, senior
145: Undecided
152: David Malepsy, senior (24-13); Tanner Sittig, junior (18-18)
160: Jake Tews, junior (1-1); David Cox, sophomore (0-2)
171: Dustin Celander, senior (15-17); Jared Flemming, senior (24-11)
189: Undecided
215: Jeremy Forster, senior (23-10); Nic Sherman, sophomore
275: Undecided
MACCRAY
Camden
Tyler Steen (40-7), a 145-pound senior, already has 138 career wins. He was fifth in the state tournament last season, as was Mitch Grussing (37-5), a 189-pound senior with 102 career wins.
The Wolverines also have six other regulars returning, but have only one other wrestler returning from a three-win season that posted 20 wins, 103-pound sophomore Levi Berends (20-16).
COACH
Wayne Coulter
2005-06 RECORD
0-6 in Camden; 3-23 overall
WOLVERINES' ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Levi Berends, sophomore (20-16)
112: Undecided
119: Taylor Bodin, freshman (6-20)
125: Undecided
130: Matt Friese, freshman (6-18)
135: Undecided
140: Joe DeGrote, junior (4-7)
145: Tyler Steen, senior (40-7); Mitch Rosendahl, sophomore (11-19)
152: Undecided
160: Thomas Uttermark, sophomore (5-25)
171: Undecided
189: Mitch Grussing, senior (37-5); Dean Wandersee, senior (1-2); Sam Hanson, sophomore (0-1)
215: Undecided
275: Undecided
Minnewaska Area
West Central North
The Lakers have perenially been one of the area powers and this season isn't expected to change that with eight double-digit win wrestlers back from a 16-7 campaign.
Included among 12 letterwinners returning are three state participants; Jonathan Tatro (34-3), a 125-pound senior; Sam Goracke (24-8), a 145-pound senior; and Justin Frederick (16-12), a 119-pound sophomore. Tatro placed third at 119 pounds.
COACH
Wes Tessman
2005-06 RECORD
5-1 in West Central North; 16-7 overall
LAKERS' ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Andy Goracke, freshman (6-30)
112: Undecided
119: Cam Schaefer, freshman (9-9)
125: Justin Frederick, sophomore (16-12)
130: William Netwal, freshman (3-12)
135: Jon Tatro, senior (34-3)
140: David Bond, junior (18-19)
145: Dan Braaten, junior (25-14)
152: Sam Goracke, senior (24-8); Collin Jergenson, sophomore (18-17)
160: Brandon Manderschied, freshman (2-3)
171: Alan Erickson, senior (23-17)
189: Undecided
215: Jamie Linman, senior (10-14)
275: Undecided
Montevideo
West Central South
The Thunder Hawks are very young with only three seniors and three juniors in the lineup.
One of the top wrestlers back is two-time state entrant Tony Klosterboer (34-7), a 152-pound senior with 114 career wins. Tyler Kanten (20-19), a 145-pound senior, is the only other wrestler back for first-year coach Chris Weber that had as many as 20 wins.
Weber takes over for longtime coach Jeff Gallagher, who resigned after posting over 300 career wins.
COACH
Chris Weber
2005-06 RECORD
3-3 in West Central South; 6-9 overall
THUNDER HAWKS' ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Tim Macziewski, sophomore (8-10); Jesse Mijares, sophomore
112: Undecided
119: Josh Anderson, sophomore (18-23); Isaac Sulflow, freshman (0-7)
125: Darin Reuss, junior (8-23)
130: Zach Weckwerth, junior (14-25)
135: Undecided
140: Sam Aalfs, junior (5-10)
145: Tyler Kanten, senior (20-19)
152: Tony Klosterboer, senior (34-7); Shane Ruether, senior (2-2)
160: Undecided
171: Undecided
189: Jordan Welling, freshman (3-5)
215: Undecided
275: Undecided
Morris/Hancock
West Central South
Jonny Frank takes over as coach and inherits a team that went 3-13 last season and graduated its top wresler, Jake Nohl. No report was available from the team and returning varsity wrestler's were placed at last season's weight. Two returning wrestlers won 20-or-more matches.
COACH
Jonny Frank
2005-06 RECORD
0-6 in West Central South; 3-13 overall
103: Josh Nelson, sophomore (22-20)
112: Wade Feuchtenberger, freshman (3-15)
119: Tanner Berning, freshman (16-23)
125: Eric Goette, freshman (21-16)
130: Morgan Bigalke, freshman (0-6)
135: Travis Thooft, junior (20-21)
145: Justin Stallman, eighth grade (0-1)
160: Max Koehntop, senior (15-21)
171: Cole Vig, eighth-grader (1-2)
New London-Spicer
West Central North
The Wildcats were in contention for the conference title all season and finished a solid 12-6 last year. There are 10 regulars back from that team and an additional three letterwinners.
Back is Chad Henle (39-6), a 103-pound junior, who placed third at state last season. He is joined by six other wrestlers who won 20-or-more matches, including Adam Luberts (30-10), a 140-pound senior.
COACH
Jair Toedter
2005-06 RECORD
4-2 in West Central North; 12-6 overall
WILDCATS' ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Chad Henle, junior (39-6); Jordan Hannes, freshman
112: Shawn Hatlestad, 8th grade, (21-12)
119: Luke Reiter, sophomore (25-18)
125: Billy Dean, sophomore (27-11)
130: Undecided
135: Brandon Keller, junior (15-25); Cody Haugen, frshman (0-1)
140: Adam Luberts, senior (30-10)
145: Chris DeLong, junior (21-22); Tom Duscher, freeshman (0-1)
152: John Nething, freshman (15-24)
160: Levi Schultz, junior (13-22)
171: Undecided
189: Andrew Blomker, junior (21-14)
215: Ryane Clark, senior (5-9); Blake Johnson, junior (1-5)
275: Michael Fischer, junior (0-3); Zach Borka, 8th grade
Paynesville
West Central North
Former state champion Sean Glenz is gone, but the Bulldogs return seven wrestlers that placed in the top five at the section meet last season.
Sophomore Jon-athan Kerzman (24-15) at 145 pounds and juniors Jordan Christian (22-5) at 125 and Kevin Klein (22-8) at 171 all won at least 22 matches a year ago.
Also back is 160-pound senior Aaron Burris (16-3), 119-pound junior Jeff Albright (15-13) and 215-pound junior Luke Frank (17-21)
COACH
Tim Woehler
2005-06 RECORD
4-2 in West Central North; 21-10 overall
BULLDOGS' ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Undecided
112: Undecided
119: Jeff Albright, junior (15-13)
125: Jordan Christian, junior (22-5)
130: Hayden Spaeth, freshman (7-14)
135: Justin Wendlandt, freshman (3-12); Cody Fuchs, junior (6-20); Calvin Weber, junior (1-10)
140: Tyler Hemmesh, eighth-grade (3-6)
145: Jonathan Kerzman, sophomore (24-15)
152: Ryan Gale, junior (7-11); Andrew Moser, freshman (1-1)
160: Aaron Burris, senior (16-3)
171: Kevin Klein, junior (22-8); Brad Torborg, senior (4-5); Corey Spanier, junior (1-6)
189: Undecided
215: Luke Frank, junior (17-21)
275: Undecided
RCW
Camden
RCW returns 19 wrestlers that saw time in the varsity lineup last year with freshmen Dakota Freiborg (24-15) and Trent Novotny (17-15) leading the way.
Junior Isaac Johns (15-8), sophomores Jake Freiborg (14-17) and Cole Gigstad (12-16), and seniors Joe Dambroten (13-19) and Zack Freiborg (12-14) also won 10-or-more matches last year.
COACH
Scott Fransen
2005-06 RECORD
1-5 in Camden; 9-15 overall
JAGUARS' ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Derek Helmer, freshman
112: Tyler Fagen, sophomore
119: Mitch Agre, sophomore
125: Dakota Freiborg, freshman (24-15); Trent Novotny, freshman (17-15); Travis Holm, freshman; Cody McIagan, freshman
130: Isaac Johns, junior (15-8); Zack Freiborg, senior (12-14); Brandon Beckendorf, freshman; Dakota Freiborg, freshman (24-15); Trent Novotny, freshman (17-15); Travis Holm, freshman
135: Isaac Johns, junior (15-8); Zack Freiborg, senior (12-14); Brandon Beckendorf, freshman; Dakota Freiborg, freshman (24-15); Trent Novotny, freshman (17-15); Travis Holm, freshman; Brian Feldman, eighth-grade
140: Isaac Johns, junior (15-8); Zack Freiborg, senior (12-14); Brandon Beckendorf, freshman
145: Adam Schorn, freshman; Eric Mertens, sophomore
152: Drew Hultquist, junior (4-5)
160: Jake Freiborg, sophomore (14-17); Cole Gigstad, sophomore (12-16)
171: Joe Dambroten, senior (13-19); Jake Freiborg, sophomore (14-17); Cole Gigstad, sophomore (12-16)
189: Joe Dambroten, senior (13-19); Will Lerud, senior
215: Aaron Adamski, junior
275: Colton Hanson, junior
Redwood Valley
Southwest
The Cardinals will have a solid group of upperweights that will be paced by junior Brady Myers (26-9) and sophomore Brian Anderson (20-15). They don't have a lot of depth, though, and are a young team that could have a couple of open weights throughout the season.
COACH
Andy Ourada
2005-06 RECORD
1-4 in Southwest; 3-15 overall
CARDINALS' ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Undecided
112: Dominic Sweetman, eighth-grade (7-21); Dre Arredondo, sophomore
119: Dre Arredondo, sophomore
125: Ross Mariner, junior
130: Alex Knobloch, sophomore (13-16); Anthony Bongard, senior; Ross Mariner, junior
135: Alex Knobloch, sophomore (13-16); Anthony Bongard, senior
140: Alex Knobloch, sophomore (13-16); Trevor Gewerth, freshman (0-6)
145: Nick Petersen, sophomore (3-7)
152: Jared Schiller, junior (9-22); Nick Petersen, sophomore (3-7)
160: Jared Schiller, junior (9-22); Brady Myers, junior (26-9)
171: Brady Myers, junior (26-9); Brennen Hagert, sophomore (3-15)
189: Brian Anderson, sophomore (20-15); Brennen Hagert, sophomore (3-15)
215: Brian Anderson, sophomore (20-15)
275: Undecided
YME
West Central South
The Sting enjoyed a 21-3 season from a team that reached the section final and bring back eight regulars.
Landen Cole (32-10), a 140-pound senior; Casey Field (29-11), a 125-pound sophomore; and Austen Cole (29-10), a 103-pound sophomore; were all state participants a season ago.
Tanner Aus (25-14), a 112-pound junior; Wyatt Sand (22-18), a 130-pound junior; and Evan Stock (20-18), a 189-pound sophomore, all won 20-or-more matches last season.
COACH
Gary Wolf
2005-06 RECORD
5-1 in West Central South; 21-3 overall
STING ROSTER
(Weight, name with letterwinners in bold, grade, last season's record)
103: Austen Cole, sophomore (29-10); Logan Johnson, freshman
112: Tanner Aus, junior (25-14)
119: Jordan Hegna, junior (1-0); Kevin Weber, junior (0-1)
125: Casey Field, sophomore (29-11)
130: Wyatt Sand, junior (22-18); Justin Tongen, freshman (7-6)
135: Derek Dyrdahl, 8th grade (2-1)
140: Landen Cole, senior (32-10)
145: Undecided
152: Eric Dubbelde, senior (17-13)
160: Phil Johnson, junior (2-3)
171: Martin Hagenm junior (1-4)
189: Evan Stock, sophmore (20-18)
215: Sam Isfeld, senior (3-6)
275: Justin Allen, sophomore
