ST. PAUL - Fifty-three West Central wrestlers entered the State Wrestling Tournament fray Friday at the Xcel Energy Center. From that field, 13 remain in championship contention.
Hoping to defend his state championship from a year ago, Willmar's Cael Carlson is one of three Cardinals still vying for a state title. In the Class AAA 145-pound bracket, Carlson, who is the top seed and a No. 1-ranked wrestler, opened with a major decision against Park's Solomon Lankow and followed that with a 7-3 decision against Forest Lake's Mathias Waskey.
Hoping to become Willmar's first two-time state champion since his father, Chad, Cael will face Farmington's Luke Peterson in the semifinals on Saturday. Peterson is the fifth seed and is ranked ninth.
Lincoln Shinn (195) and Andrew Reigstad (220) are both in the final four of their respective brackets. Shinn scored two pins on Friday against Faribault's Josh Heyda and Hastings' Godswill Pepple. Reigstad opened with a decision over Edina's Will Davis, followed with a pin of Park's Antonio Davis.
Shinn, the third seed, will face Bemidji's Peter Moen in the semifinals. Shinn and Moen have faced each other twice this year, with Shinn winning both, by pin and major decision. Reigstad's semifinals opponent is Rosemount's Ezayah Oropeza, who is the top seed and top-ranked wrestler in the bracket.
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In Class AA, New London-Spicer's Ty Bisek stunned the 106 field after taking down top-seeded Owen Werner of Perham in a 2-0 decision. He followed that up with a 5-2 decision over Mora's Avery Nelson. As the 16th seed, Bisek hopes to continue to play spoiler in Saturday's semifinal against fourth-seeded Dylan Louwagie of Marshall. The two met in the Section 3AA finals, with Louwagie winning a 5-1 decision.
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa has an area-high four wrestlers in semifinals with Walker Bents (106), Blaine Fischer (120), Canon Swanson (126) and Tyler Bents (138) all competing for Class A titles.
Walker beat Blackduck/Cass Lake-Bena's Eli Sharbono by pin and Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg's Coy Gunderson by decision. He will face top-ranked and second-seeded Drayden Morton of Sibley East in the semis. Fischer will face second-seeded and third-ranked Blackduck/Cass Lake-Bena's Trevor Janssen in the semis following a major decision over Mahnomen-Waubun's Garret Eiynck and a decision against Lewiston-Altura/Rushford-Peterson's Ross Herber.
Swanson, the top seed and top-ranked 126 pounder, won by tech fall over Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale/Parkers Prairie's Jason Koehn and a pin against Fertile-Beltrami's Hunter Hitchen. He will contend with Le Sueur-Henderson's Jorge Hernandez, the four seed, in Saturday's semis.
Tyler, the two seed, won a pair of decisions over Blue Earth Area's Jaxen Klinkner (7-6) and Staples-Motley's Blayne Dumpprope (6-3). He will take on third-seeded Blake Legred of United South Central.
Minnewaska sports a trio of state semifinalists with Tyson Meyer (170), Tyler VanLuik (195) and Dylan Jergenson (220).
Meyer, who entered the tournament with a perfect 37-0 record, opened with a pin on Chatfield's Payton Schott and followed that with a decision over Tracy-Milroy-Balaton/Westbrook-Walnut Grove's Jace Paplow. In the semis, Meyer will take on top-seeded and top-ranked Colton Krell of Westfield.
VanLuik, the No. 2 seed, had a pair of first-period pins over Kenyon-Wanamingo's Owen Hilke and Frazee's Coleton Borah. He will try to make the finals when he faces West Central Area's Wyatt Olson. VanLuik is ranked third while Olson, the third seed, is ranked fifth.
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Jergenson knocked off third-ranked Dylan Nirk of Westfield in the opening round, then advanced with a decision over fourth-ranked Alex Chidester of Ogilvie. In the semis, Jergenson will take on Frazee's Luke Tweeton, who is seeded second and ranked second at 195.
With an area-high 12 state entrants, two Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City wrestlers remain in championship contention.
Cole Holien, who was seeded 12th, scored a major decision against fifth seed Brice Sonnek of United South Central, then reached the semis with a decision over Jackson County Central's Logan Butzon. He will take on top-seeded Michael Majerus of Zumbrota-Mazeppa to start Saturday.
At the opposite end of the weight classes, the Falcons' Tanner Berghuis had a decision against New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva's Quinten Arndt, followed by a pin against Ottertail Central's Cian Buehler. Berghuis will take on Adrian's Scot Edwards in the semis.
Action will resume at 9:30 a.m. back at the Xcel Energy Center.
Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament
How area wrestlers fared
Class AAA
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113
Braeden Erickson, Willmar - lost by dec John Babineau, Andover, 12-6. Eliminated
126
Josh Miley, Willmar - lost by dec Martin Stewart, Apple Valley, 12-7. Eliminated
145
Cael Carlson, Willmar - maj dec Solomon Lankow, Park, 17-4; dec Mathais Waskey, Forest Lake, 7-3; Semifinals: Luke Peterson, Farmington (31-8)
160
Ethan Roux, Willmar - lost by dec Chase Vought, Farmington, 9-7. Eliminated
182
Kaden Streed, Willmar - lost by maj dec Josh Piechowski, Stillwater, 9-0; dec Bruce Muehlhauser, Anoka, 8-4 (OT); Consolation: Zach Young, Rosemount (32-16)
195
Lincoln Shinn, Willmar - pin Josh Heyda, Faribault, 3:46; pin Godswill Pepple, Hastings, 1:45; Semifinals: Peter Moen, Bemidji (36-8)
220
Andrew Reigstad, Willmar - dec Will Davis, Edina, 7-1; pin Antonio Davis, Park, 3:52; Semifinals: Ezayah Oropeza, Rosemount (40-0)
285
Charlie Farhat, Willmar - pin James Johnson, Minnetonka, 5:01; lost by dec Marco Cavallaro, East Ridge, 2-1 (OT); pin Nick Lopez, Northfield, 1:57; Consolation: Wyatt Kruse, Cambridge-Isanti (18-5)
Class AA
106
Alex Joedeman, Litchfield - lost by dec to Avery Nelson, 4-3. Eliminated
Ty Bisek, NLS - dec Owen Werner, Perham, 2-0; dec Avery Nelson, Mora, 5-2; Semifinals: Dylan Louwagie, Marshall (39-8)
113
Davin Rose, MAHACA - dec Will Nihart, South St. Paul, 6-3; lost by tech fall Joey Thompson, Totino-Grace, 17-2 4:03; dec Blaze Brady, Perham, 5-2; Consolation: Austin Gabbert, Watertown-Mayer/Mayer Lutheran (36-3)
120
Eddie Simes, Litchfield - lost by dec to Reier Sjomeling, Delano, 3-2. Eliminated
126
Blake Vagle, NLS - lost by maj dec to Kyle Boeke, Princeton, 13-5; lost by maj dec Justin Stauffacher, Scott West, 10-0. Eliminated
132
Jerry Simes, Litchfield - dec Henry Beck, Orono, 5-3; lost by tech fall Ryan Sokol, Simley, 21-6 2:23; dec Lucas Hodges, Marshall, 7-2; Consolation: Cade Lundeen, Thief River Falls (48-3)
138
Trevon Johnson, United - pin Tyler Harms-Synkiew, C-L-C, 0:48; lost by dec Bryce FitzPatrick, Mahtomedi, 7-0; dec Noah Halonen, Dassel-Cokato, 18-13. Consolation: Jacob Schmid, Orono (38-18)
160
Logan Nelson, Litchfield - pin Collin Grandstrand, Mahtomedi, 1:40; lost by dec Reese Kapsner, Pierz, 6-2; maj dec Anthony Arens, Totino-Grace, 10-1; Consolation: Grant Louwagie, Marshall (34-16)
220
Nick McKenzie, NLS - maj dec Joe Hinkle, Totino-Grace, 8-0; lost by dec Kaleb Haase, Redwood-River Valley, 5-1; dec Bodee Zens, Milaca, 4-3; Consolation: Brayden Weber, Becker (38-7)
285
Chase Liestman, Litchfield - lost by pin to Shea Albrecht, Orono, 5:48. Eliminated
Class A
106
Coy Gunderson, KMS - tech fall Ayden Hauck, Barnesville, 15-0 3:40; lost by dec Walker Bents, BBE, 10-3; maj dec Eli Sharbono, Blackduck/Cass Lake-Bena, 13-2; Consolation: Jesus Anaya, Adrian (37-7)
Walker Bents, BBE - pin Eli Sharbono, Blackduck/Cass Lake-Bena, 2:31; dec Coy Gunderson, KMS, 10-3; Semifinals: Drayden Morton, Sibley East (42-1)
Cole Holien, ACGC - maj dec Bryce Sonnek, United South Central, 14-0; dec Logan Butzon, Jackson County Central, 7-6; Semifinals: Michael Majerus, Zumbrota-Mazeppa (39-9)
113
Easton McCrory, Minnewaska - pin Trevor Michienzi, Deer River, 3:52; lost by dec Charley Elwood, Medford, 3-1; maj dec Jace Olson, Border West, 12-4; Consolation: Brady Holien, ACGC (33-14)
Brady Holien, ACGC - lost by pin to Zach Brown, Crookston, 0:49; maj dec Tucker Ginther, Chatfield, 11-1; Consolation: Easton McCrory, Minnewaska (33-10)
120
Blaine Fischer, BBE - maj dec Garret Eiynck, Mahnomen-Waubun, 14-2; dec Ross Herber, LARP, 7-0; Semifinal: Trevor Janssen, BCLB (33-4)
Hunter Mondor, Benson - lost by dec Kade Lozinski, Minneota, 13-6. Eliminated
Kelvin Andrade-Ponce, ACGC - dec John Poulin, Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 6-1; lost by dec Jeron Matson, Kenyon-Wanamingo, 5-4; dec Isaac Tellers, United North Central 7-3; Consolation: Payton Handevidt, Jackson County Central (42-5)
126
Canon Swanson, BBE - tech fall Jason Koehn, Bertha-Hewitt/V/PP, 21-6 5:16; pin Hunter Hitchen, Fertile-Beltrami, 2:39; Semifinals: Jorge Hernandez, Le Sueur-Henderson (31-4)
Ramzee Molinaro, ACGC - lost by dec Adam Christopher, Crosby-Ironton, 16-12. Eliminated
132
Hayden Straumann, ACGC - maj dec Brandon Pries, Badger/Greenbush-MR, 19-10; lost by dec Mason Gode, LPGE/Browerville, 10-5; maj dec Tucker Wills, LCWM, 9-0; Consolation: Teddy Pesch, Minneota (31-7)
Tyler Jensen, BBE - lost by maj dec Jackson Hale, GMLOS, 11-1; dec Nate Williams, Crosby-Ironton, 6-5; Consolation: Carter Sorenson, Fosston-Bagley, (34-8)
138
Tyler Bents, BBE - dec Jaxen Klinkner, Blue Earth Area, 7-6; dec Blayne Dumpprope, Staples-Motley, 6-3; Semifinals: Blake Legred, United South Central (40-4)
Shawn Rue, Paynesville - dec Grant Budden, Pipestone, 6-4; lost by dec Blake Legred, United South Central, 11-4; dec Damon Ferguson, Red Lake County Central, 6-3; Consolation: Jaxen Klinkner, Blue Earth Area (39-10)
Jake Mortensen, ACGC - lost by pin Blake Reiss, Minneota, 1:38. Eliminated
145
Mason Blair, Minnewaska - lost by dec Baxter O'Reilly, Goodhue, 7-0. Eliminated
Skye Powers, ACGC - lost by dec Owen Novacek, Badger/Greenbush-MR, 9-4; lost by dec Max Naddy, Ottertail Central, 6-3. Eliminated
Jared Carlson, KMS - lost by pin Willie Von Ruden, Medford, 0:35; lost by dec Zach Spinks, Windom/Mountain Lake, 3-0. Eliminated
152
Anthony Maher, BOLD - dec Koby Nagel, Blue Earth Area, 9-5; lost by pin Chandler Mooney, Roseau, 0:40; lost by dec Quin Miller, Aitkin, 7-5. Eliminated
Chase Arndt, ACGC - lost by pin Marcus Otomo, Dover-Eyota, 2:45. Eliminated
Wyatt McGee, Benson - lost by pin Zach Holtz, Kimball, 0:57. Eliminated
160
Ayden Friese, Quad County - maj dec Daniel Mielke, Rush City-Braham, 11-1; lost by dec Owen Bjerga, Staples-Motley, 6-1; lost by maj dec Wyatt Simon, Maple River, 13-4. Eliminated
Jared Knutson, Benson - lost by dec Zane Swanson, Ottertail Central, 1-0. Eliminated
Jaxon Behm, ACGC - lost by pin Kelby O'Reilly, Goodhue, 3:32; lost by tech fall Jackson Held, Royalton/Upsala, 16-0 1:58. Eliminated
170
Tyson Meyer, Minnewaska - pin Payton Schott, Caledonia/Houston, 5:21; dec Jace Paplow, TMB/WWG, 5-2; Semifinals: Colton Krell, Westfield (36-3)
Taylor Fester, ACGC - lost by dec Brett Graham, Frazee, 6-0. Eliminated
182
Logan Sherwood, ACGC - lost by pin Avery Northquest, LCWM, 2:40. Eliminated
Dylan Stewart, Benson - lost by pin Jaden Kindopp, Canby, 3:14; lost by dec Mason Smid, Blackduck/Cass Lake-Bena 8-3. Eliminated
195
Tyler VanLuik, Minnewaska - pin Owen Hilke, Kenyon-Wanamingo, 1:29; pin Coleton Borah, Frazee, 0:30; Semifinals: Wyatt Olson, West Central Area/Ashby/Brandon-Evansville
Thomas Dineen, Benson - lost by dec Daniel Erlandson, Breckenridge, 3-2. Eliminated
220
Dylan Jergenson, Minnewaska - dec Dylan Nirk, Westfield, 3-2; dec Alex Chidester, Ogilvie, 6-3; Semifinals: Luke Tweeton, Frazee (34-7)
Tim Peppel, BOLD - lost by dec Jabari Carlton, Windom/Mountain Lake, 6-4. Eliminated
285
Tanner Berghuis, ACGC - dec Quinten Arndt, NRHEG, 6-2; pin Cian Buehler, Ottertail Central, 4:43; Semifinals: Scot Edwards, Adrian (27-1)
Jakob Swalla, Minnewaska - dec Alec Francis, Caledonia/Houston, 3-2; lost by pin Craig Orlando, Bertha-Hewitt/V/PP, 1:08; lost by dec Quinn Mathisen, HLWW, 9-3. Eliminated
Brady Ridler, BOLD - lost by dec Clayton Luthe, GMLOS, 9-2. Eliminated
