High Schools: Here's a 2021 look at area wrestling teams

The high school wrestling season is opening in January. Here is a review of area teams by the West Central Tribune.

Coach: Mike Amsden

Section: 4A

2019-20 Record: 32-2; Section 4A champion

Conference Record: 6-0 West Central

At State: Team runner-up in Class A, 11 state entrants, six placewinners

Key Graduates: Tanner Berghuis (43-4, fifth at state at 285 pounds, section champion, all-conference); Kelvin Andrade-Ponce (37-7, sixth at state at 120 pounds, section champion, all-conference); Ramzee Molinaro (32-8, state entrant at 132 pounds, section runner-up, all-conference); Jesus Cardenas (12-21, state entrant at 195 pounds, section runner-up)

Key Returners: Cole Holien, jr. (40-8, fifth at state at 113 pounds, section runner-up, all-conference); Brady Holien, jr. (39-10, fourth at state at 126 pounds, section runner-up, all-conference); Jevon Williams, fr. (40-9, fifth at state at 106 pounds, section champion, all-conference); Jaxon Behm, jr. (33-15, state entrant at 160 pounds, section champion); Hayden Straumann, sr. (28-17, state entrant at 138 pounds, section runner-up); Logan Sherwood, sr. (27-9, fifth at state at 220 pounds, section runner-up); Taylor Fester, sr. (26-12, state entrant at 170 pounds, section runner-up, all-conference); Terrell Renne, so. (19-13, third at sections at 182 pounds); Logan Straumann, jr. (15-16, fourth at sections at 145 pounds)

Preseason Rankings:

Team: Second (Class A)

Individuals: Edwyn Gonzalez (sixth, 106 pounds); Jevon Williams (first, 113 pounds); Cole Holien (sixth, 126 pounds); Brady Holien (third, 138 pounds); Hayden Straumann (eighth, 145 pounds); Jake Mortensen (eighth, 152 pounds); Jaxon Behm (fifth, 182 pounds); Taylor Fester (eighth, 195 pounds); Logan Sherwood (fifth, 285 pounds)

Coach: Jack Mueller

Section: 5A

2019-20 Record: 20-4; Section runner-up

Conference Record: 6-0 Central Minnesota

At State: Seven state qualifiers, one state champion, three placewinners

Key Graduates: Canon Swanson (53-1, third at state at 145 pounds, section champion, all-conference); Michael Doubek (38-14, section runner-up at 195, all-conference); Taiton Linder (18-13 at 145/152/160)

Key Returners: Walker Bents, jr. (46-4, state champion at 106 pounds, section champion, all-conference); Blaine Fischer, jr. (41-12, fourth at state at 132 pounds, section runner-up, all-conference); Tyler Jensen, jr. (39-11, state entrant at 126 pounds, section runner-up, all-conference); Ryan Jensen, fr. (39-14, state entrant at 113 pounds, section runner-up); Maximus Hanson, fr. (32-14, third at sections at 138 pounds); Dylan Kampsen, sr. (28-20, third at sections at 152 pounds); Wyatt Engen, so. (27-10, fourth at sections at 120 pounds, all-conference); Evan Young, jr. (24-22; state entrant at 160 pounds, section runner-up)

Preseason Rankings:

Team: Third (Class A)

Individuals: Brett DeRoo (10th, 106 pounds); Ryan Jensen (fifth, 120 pounds); Walker Bents (third, 126 pounds); Blaine Fischer (third, 145 pounds); Maximus Hanson (10th, 152 pounds)

Coach: Scott Thompson

Section: 5A

2019-20 Record: 7-18

Conference Record: 1-4 West Central

At State: Two state entrants, one placewinner

Key Graduates: Mason Abner (16-18, fourth at sections at 160 pounds)

Key Returners: Thomas Dineen, so. (41-3, fifth at state at 182 pounds, section champion, all-conference); Adam Zosel, sr. (33-4, state entrant at 152 pounds, section runner-up, all-conference); Alden Syltie, sr. (23-7, fourth at sections at 285 pounds)

Preseason Rankings:

Team: N/A (Class A)

Individuals: Adam Zosel (sixth, 160 pounds); Thomas Dineen (first, 195 pounds); Alden Syltie (ninth, 285 pounds)

Coach: Matt Zupke

Section: 5A

2019-20 Record: 8-16

Conference Record: 1-4 West Central

At State: Four state entrants, one state runner-up, one placewinner

Key Graduates: Anthony Maher (27-3, state runner-up at 160 pounds, section champion, all-conference); Brady Ridler (30-10, state entrant at 285 pounds, section runner-up)

Key Returners: Austin Kiecker, fr. (35-10, state entrant at 120 pounds, section runner-up, all-conference); Tim Peppel, sr. (27-5, state entrant at 220 pounds, section runner-up, all-conference)

Preseason Rankings:

Team: N/A (Class A)

Individuals: Austin Kiecker (10th, 120 pounds); Tim Peppel (fourth, 285 pounds)

Coaches: Dan Buker and Bryan Clemen

Section: 6AA

2019-20 Record: 18-4; Section champion

Conference Record: 5-0 Wright County

At State: Team state entrant, nine state qualifiers, one state runner-up, two placewinners

Key Graduates: Noah Halonen (29-11, section runner-up at 160 pounds, all-conference); Jackson Martin (8-15, fourth at sections at 220 pounds)

Key Returners: Jude Link, jr. (45-2, state runner-up at 152 pounds, section champion, all-conference); Eddie Simes, jr. (38-7, state entrant at 126 pounds, section champion, all-conference); Beau Nelson, sr. (36-10, state entrant at 195 pounds, section runner-up, all-conference); Devin Steinhaus, jr. (29-14, third at sections at 120 pounds); Jerry Simes, sr. (27-4, fourth at state at 132 pounds, section runner-up); Will O’Brien, sr. (27-12, state entrant at 182 pounds, section champion, all-conference); Victor Franco, so. (27-12, state entrant at 113 pounds, section runner-up); Andrew Joedeman, sr. (27-12, state entrant at 106 pounds, section runner-up); Shelby Fischer, so. (13-9, third at sections at 138 pounds); Hayden Hoernemann, jr. (11-11, fourth at sections at 170 pounds); Brendan Rokala, jr. (7-7, state entrant at 285 pounds, section runner-up)

Preseason Rankings:

Team: Fifth (Class AA)

Individuals: Andrew Joedeman (third, 106 pounds); Jerry Simes (third, 138 pounds); Eddie Simes (sixth, 152 pounds); Jude Link (second, 160 pounds); Will O’Brien (ninth, 182 pounds); Beau Nelson (ninth, 195 pounds)

Coach: Ross Jergenson

Section: 3AA

2019-20 Record: 18-12

Conference Record: 4-2 West Central

At State: One state entrant, one placewinner

Key Graduates: Layton Wittnebel (26-12, third at sections at 160 pounds); Ross Kwilinski (16-10, fourth at sections at 220 pounds)

Key Returners: Trevon Johnson, sr. (33-6, fifth at state at 145 pounds, section champion, all-conference); Dain Mortenson, jr. (28-13, fourth at sections at 132 pounds, all-conference); Tyler Schickedanz, jr. (19-22, fourth at sections at 120 pounds); Kadin Huntley, sr. (14-21, fourth at sections at 138 pounds)

Preseason Rankings:

Team: N/A (Class AA)

Individuals: Daniel Gunlogson (ninth, 106 pounds); Trevon Johnson (second, 170 pounds)

Coach: Wes Haglund

Section: 5A

2019-20 Record: 14-13

Conference Record: N/A

At State: Three state entrants, one state runner-up, two placewinners

Key Graduates: Will Magaard (50-4, state runner-up at 138 pounds, section runner-up); Marc Collins (23-21, fourth at sections at 195 pounds)

Key Returners: Coy Gunderson, jr. (48-7, sixth at state at 113 pounds, section champion); Chase Magaard, so. (46-5, third at sections at 106 pounds); Rick Jones, sr. (37-13, state entrant at 170 pounds, section runner-up); Brody Forsell, sr. (33-17, fourth at sections at 220 pounds)

Preseason Rankings:

Team: N/A (Class A)

Individuals: Chase Magaard (eighth, 126 pounds); Coy Gunderson (fifth, 132 pounds); Rick Jones (seventh, 182 pounds)

Coach: Justin Viss

Section: 5A

2019-20 Record: 24-7

Conference Record: 5-1 West Central

At State: Five state qualifiers, one state champion, one state runner-up; three placewinners

Key Graduates: Tyler VanLuik (50-1, third at state at 195 pounds, section champion, all-conference); Mason Blair (39-9, third at sections at 145 pounds, all-conference); Dylan Jergenson (44-5, state runner-up at 220 pounds, section champion)

Key Returners: Tyson Meyer, sr. (50-1, state champion at 182, section champion, all-conference); Jacob Blair, jr. (41-8, third at sections at 120 pounds, all-conference); Max Reichmann, sr. (35-11, fourth in sections at 152 pounds, all-conference); Jakob Swalla, sr. (32-6, state entrant at 285 pounds, section champion, all-conference); Easton McCrory, jr. (30-10, state entrant at 126 pounds, section champion); Nathan rankin, jr. (17-7, third at sections at 182 pounds)

Preseason Rankings:

Team: Fifth (Class A)

Individuals: Jacob Blair (ninth, 126 pounds); Easton McCrory (sixth, 132 pounds); Tyson Meyer (first, 182 pounds); Jakob Swalla (second, 285 pounds)

Coach: Matt Bisek

Section: 3AA

2019-20 Record: 8-16

Conference Record: 0-5 Wright County

At State: Four state qualifiers, one runner-up, four placewinners

Key Graduates: Blake Vagle (44-9, sixth at state at 138 pounds, section runner-up, all-conference)

Key Returners: Luke Knudsen, fr. (48-6, sixth at state at 106 pounds, section champion, all-conference); Ty Bisek, sr. (46-5, state runner-up at 113 pounds, section champion, all-conference); Nick McKenzie, sr. (42-7, fourth at state at 220 pounds, section runner-up, all-conference); Luke Ruter, jr. (30-15, fourth at sections at 126 pounds); Tim Thein, sr. (22-20, fourth at sections at 160 pounds)

Preseason Rankings:

Team: N/A (Class AA)

Individuals: Luke Knudsen (fourth, 113 pounds); Ty Bisek (second, 120 pounds); Nick McKenzie (second, 285 pounds)

Coach: Jeremy Reiter

Section: 5A

2019-20 Record: 12-18

Conference Record: 1-4 Central Minnesota

At State: No state qualifiers

Key Graduates: Brandon Schlangen (27-10, third at sections at 285 pounds); Weston Roberg (27-12, third at sections at 170 pounds)

Key Returners: Craig Schmitz, sr. (27-13, fourth at sections at 126 pounds); Aaron Mages, so. (14-28, fourth at section at 138 pounds)

Preseason Rankings:

Team: N/A (Class A)

Individuals: N/A

Coach: Justin Tongen

Section: 5A

2019-20 Record: 5-17

Conference Record: N/A

At State: No state qualifiers

Key Graduates: Jack Howard (21-13, third at sections at 160 pounds)

Key Returners: Abel Chaparro, sr. (18-15, fourth at sections at 132 pounds)

Preseason Rankings:

Team: N/A (Class A)

Individuals: N/A

Editor’s note: Capsule information provided by Roger Mischke