MAT RATS SECTION 8AA PREVIEW 2022-2023
By ROGER MISCHKE
FAVORITES: THIEF RIVER FALLS PROWLERS and the PEQUOT LAKES/PINE RIVER/BACKUS ROAD CREW
DARK HORSES: ALEXANDRIA CARDINALS and the PERHAM YELLOW JACKETS
PEQUOT LAKES/PINE RIVER/BACKUS ROAD CREW
Head Coach: Travis Hoffarth
Mid-State Conference: 5-0
Overall: 28-2
The Road Crew defeated Albany in their section quarterfinals 63-9 and Detroit Lakes 55-15 in the semifinals. They were defeated in a very close dual by Thief River Falls 36-33. They earned thirteen section place winners, had seven state qualifiers and two state medal winners. Back from that team are seven section place winners, two qualifiers and one state medal winner. They will have back seven with twenty plus wins and nine back with a great deal of varsity experience. The Road Crew should make a challenge to defend their conference honors. They should make a strong challenge to battle for a Section 8AA championship in what could be a balanced section dual meet campaign. If they spread out in their weights and stay healthy the Road Crew could be a force to be reckoned with. Their key leaders should include: Parker Zutter (47-4), Corbin Knapp (42-6), Chance Abraham (38-11), Trey Tuchtenhagen (31-17), Riley Peters (26-9) and Easton Miller (23-8).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Parker Zutter 9th 47-4 1st Sec./5th State/AC
Corbin Knapp 12th 42-6 1st Section/AC
Chance Abraham 11th 38-11 4th Section/AC
Trey Tuchtenhagen 12th 31-17 3rd Section/AC
Riley Peters 11th 26-9 5th Section
Easton Miller 12th 23-8 2nd Section
Earl Stockman 10th 21-14
Brady Ruhl 11th 19-11
Matthew Foster 12th 15-8
Trevor Holmberg 8th 15-14
Trayten Mick 11th 13-14 5th Section
Max Trumpatel. 12th 12-13
Sean Kilpartick 11th 7-6
Eli Abraham 10th 5-4
Payton Scott 11th 3-3
James Cummings 11th 2-1
Graduates:
Connor Tulenchik 48-2 1st Sec./State Champ./AC/216-32 Career
Austin Staricka 37-4 1st Section/AC/110-63 Career
Caleb Ruhl 36-14 1st Section/123-62 Career
Owen Carlson 22-6 1st Section/121-50 Career
Korey Kinyon 22-19 5th Section/49-60 Career
Larsen Kinyon 21-13 6th Section/57-43 Career
Colten Cain 2-3
THIEF RIVER FALLS PROWLERS
Head Coach: Kenny Geiser
Overall: 22-6
The Prowlers lost to Becker in the state quarterfinals 42-24, they defeated Mora 44-26 and Fairmont/Martin County West 40-25 to earn fifth place state honors. They did earn eleven section place winners, two state qualifiers and one state medal winner. Back from that team they will have seven section place winners, one place winner that earned a state medal. They will have twenty-three back with twenty-three wins plus. They will also have back ten with a great deal of varsity experience. If the Prowlers spread out in their weights and stay healthy they should make a strong challenge to defend their honors in what should be a very balanced section dual meet campaign. The Prowlers could challenge those very good dual meet marks from last season. Their key leaders should include: Griffin Lundeen (53-5), Kale Geiser (41-13), Damon Ferguson (38-11), Maverick Iverson (35-19), Carter Engebretson (32-14), Noah Jacobson (265-17 and Ethan Lane 26-23.
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Griffin Lundeen 11th 53-5 1st Section/5th State
Kale Geiser 12th 41-13 3rd Section
Damon Ferguson 12th 38-11 3rd Section
Maverick Iverson 10th 35-19 4th Section
Carter Engebretson 12th 32-14 5th Section
Noah Jacobson 10th 26-17 3rd Section
Ethan Lane 11th 26-23
Nick Gvir 11th 15-12 5th Section
Keegan Hermanson 9th 16-22
Kehan Nelson 11th 13-16
Jackson Ingram 12th 8-8
Riley Poissont 11th 6-16
Owen Dvorak 8th 5-23
Brendan Johnson 9th 4-10
Graduates:
Cody Wienen 40-6 1st Section/184-69 Career
Jolson Sargent 36-15 5th Section/79-52 Career
Collin Bruggeman 32-20 6th Section/48-49 Career
Brady Kasprich 18-1 Injured/154-33 Career
Paul Dehate 5-7 6th Section
ALEXANDRIA CARDINALS
Head Coach: Alden Struchen
avryn Fernholz
Brenden Bryce
Coach- Aldon Struchen
Central Lakes Conference: 2-4
Overall: 14-10
The Cardinals were defeated by Perham in their section 8AA dual 53-24, they did earn seven section place winners, two state qualifiers. Back from that team are six section place winners, including two state qualifiers. They will have six back with fourteen plus wins and eleven others with a great deal of varsity experience. Look for the Cardinals to make a challenge to move up in the conference standings and make a strong challenge to improve on those dual meet numbers. Look for them to make a strong challenge for a top four spot in what should be a very balanced section dual meet campaign. The Cardinals key leaders should include: Mason Mcgrane (37-5), Blaze Nelson (35-11), Kelly Johnson (33-12) and Nolan Fettig (31-13).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Mason Mcgrane. 11th 37-5 1st Section/AC
Blaze Nelson 12th 35-11 2nd Section/AC
Kelly Johnson 12th 33-12 3rd Section
Nolan Fettig 9th 31-13 3rd Section
Landon Seward. 12th 17-19 6th Section
Isaac Saffert 12th 14-20
Luke Maanum 10th 13-24
Brenden Bryce 9th 12-15
Grayson Timm 10th 10-19
Gavyn Fernholz 12th 6-23
Logan Timm 9th 6-16
Jackson Saffert 10th 5-15
David Rauscher 12th 4-29
Wyatt Marshall 11th 3-10
Pablo Garcia 11th 3-3 6th Section
Graduate:
Mason Teaser 32-11 5th Section/AC/65-43 Career
PERHAM YELLOWJACKETS
Head Coach: David Vetsch
Heart O’Lakes Conference: 4-0
Overall: 15-12
The Yellow Jackets defeated Sauk Centre in their section 8AA quarterfinals 59-15 and Alexandria in the semifinals 53-24. They were defeated in a very close one by Thief River Falls 35-33 for the section 8AA honors. They earned nine section place winners, including four state qualifiers and one state medal winner. Back from that team are seven section place winners and two were state qualifiers. They have back seven with nineteen wins plus and three others with varsity experience. Look for the Yellowjackets to make a strong challenge to defend their conference honors and to improve on those dual meet marks. They should if they do stay healthy and spread out in their weights make a strong challenge for a top four spot in what should be a very balanced section dual meet campaign. Their key leaders should include: Chandler Mickelson (38-12), Hudson Hackel (24-10), Braylon Rach (25-17) and Nicholas Peters (23-18).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Chandler Mickelson 11th 38-12 1st Section
Hudson Hackel 11th 24-10 2nd Section
Braylon Rach 11th 25-17 4th Section
Nicholas Peters 10th 23-18 4th Section
Kaden Feldt 12th 19-27 6th Section
Carson Byer 11th 19-23 6th Section
Jaxon Vetsch 11th 16-14 4th Section
Carson Zeise 8th 13-14
Jonathan Ramos 9th 5-13
Dresden Wegscheid 9th 5-25
Graduates:
Blake Lorentz 39-15 2nd Section
Brian Ramos 49-1 1st Sec./State Champ
Reese Willprecht. 22-16
Huguas Hames 3-15
ALBANY HUSKIES
Head Coach: Ron Reszel
Granite Ridge Conference: 2-4
Overall: 8-17
The Huskies defeated Park Rapids in their Section 8AA quarterfinal dual 54-24 and they were defeated by Pequot Lakes/Pine River/Backus 63-9. They earned eight section place winners, including three state qualifiers. Back from that team are three section place winners, including on state qualifier. They will have six double double figure wins along with others with a great deal of varsity experience. Look for the Huskies to make steady improvement this season, they could move up on the conference and likely challenge those dual meet marks from last season. Their key leaders should include: Devin Hansen (38-15), Joseph Schmidt (25-22), Spencer Kollman (20-24) and Owen Carlson (15-10).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Devin Hansen 12th 38-15 2nd Section/AC
Joseph Schmidt 11th 25-22
Spencer Kollman 12th 20-24
Owen Carlson 11th 15-10 3rd Section
Nathan Kollmann 10th 14-32
Jimmy Carlisle 11th 13-9
Mason Plumski 11th 11-15 5th Section
Ean Hansen 10th 9-32
Mason Geiser 9th 6-9
Cooper Brinkman 10th 9-32
Jackson Mergen 9th 4-5
Logan Buermann 10th 3-2
Reed Moulzolf 9th 3-14
Dylan Hoffarth 8th 2-4
Graduates:
Jacob Adrian 39-7 1st Section/AC
Petyon Kumrei 39-12 3rd Section/AC
DeClan Crumley 36-15 3rd Section/AC
Hunter Tate 27-12 2nd Section/AC
Cole Moulzolf 16-29 5th Section
Nick Hudock 1-5
DILWORTH-GLYNDON-FELTON REBELS
Head Coach: Davis Kosen
Heart O’Lakes Conference: 2-1
Overall: 13-7
The Rebels were defeated by Detroit Lakes in their section 8AA quarterfinal dual 40-32. They will have back eight section place winners, including three state qualifiers, this includes ten with double figure wins. Along with four others with a great deal of varsity experience. Look for the Rebels to make a challenge for conference honors and likely challenge those dual meet marks from last season. If they spread out in their weights and stay healthy they could possibly challenge for a top four spot in that should be a very balanced Section 8AA dual meet campaign. The Rebels key leaders should include: Jordan Summers (34-8), Bryce Fischer (31-17), Jacob Luebke (22-7), Camden Mustachia (20-17), Austin Lenhart (17-11) and Casey Macziewski 17-11).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Jordan Summers 12th 34-8 2nd Section
Bryce Fischer 12th 31-17 2nd Section
Jacob Luebke 9th 22-7 2nd Section
Camden Mustachia 11th 20-17 4th Section
Austin Lenhart 10th 17-11 3rd Section
Casey Macziewski 10th 17-11
Thomas Thureen 11th 17-19
Gabe Schmitz 12th 15-19 6th Section
Caleb Johnson 10th 13-7 4th Section
Sam Schmitz 9th 13-13
Roy Rude 10th 12-11 4th Section
Alex Anderson 10th 11-11
Aiden Edeen 11th 6-15
Body DeVries 11th 5-20
DETROIT LAKES LAKERS
Head Coach: Rob Ullyott
Mid-State Conference: 3-2
Overall: 15-14
The Lakers defeated their highway 10 neighbor Dilworth-Glendon-Felton in the section 8AA quarterfinals 40-32 and they were defeated by Pequot Lake/Pine River/ Backus 55-15 in the semifinals. They had seven section place winners, including four state qualifiers and one state medalist. Back from that team they will have six section place winners, three qualifiers and one state medalist. They will have back eight with fifteen wins plus and along with six with varsity experience. Look for the experienced Lakers to challenge both conference and Overall dual meet marks. This experienced team could make a strong challenge for a top four spot in what should be a balanced dual meet section. The Lakers key leaders should include: Cade Jackson (45-9), Tyson Ullyott (37-9), Cade Okeson (32-16), Jeff Moen (28-12), Connor Zamzo (20-21) and Beau Gomdahl (18-19).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Cade Jackson 12th 45-9 2nd Sec./6th State/AC
Tyson Ullyott 12th 37-9 1st Section
Cade Okeson 12th 32-16 6th Section
Jeff Moen 12th 28-12 2nd Section/AC
Connor Zamzo 12th 20-21 6th Section
Beau Gomdahl 9th 18-19 6th Section
Leroy Lacrosse 12th 17-19
Cale Abraham 12th 15-5
Everett Northup 10th 7-9
Izaiah Vargas 10th 6-8
Cameron Cannon 12th 5-5
Cody Bartnes 11th 5-7
Talan Baker 8th 4-20
Charlie Zok 11th 3-8
Graduates:
Bradly Swiers 37-11 1st Section/AC/110-48 Career
Brock Billet 6-13
PARK RAPIDS PANTHERS
Head Coach: Matt Clark
Mid-State Conference 0-5
Overall: 11-16
The Panthers were defeated in their section 8AA dual by Albany 54-24. They will return five section place winners, including one state qualifier. They have six back with double figure wins and five with others with varsity experience. The Panthers should make strides of improvement thru out the season, look for them to move up in the conference and challenge their dual meet marks. Their key leaders should include: Robby Sherk (41-6), Wrigley Clark (27-7), Aiden Maanum (25-21) and Henry Thorson (24-15).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Robby Sherk 12th 41-6 2nd Section/AC
Wrigley Clark 9th 27-7 4th Section/AC
Aiden Maanum 10th 25-21 4th Section
Henry Thorson 11th 24-15 5th Section
Dandre Johnson 10th 14-21 6th Section
Jarrett Galzki 10th 11-25
Andrew Jonanning 9th 8-23
Cooper Darchuk 8th 7-5
Brayden Hoffman 9th 4-8
Graduates:
Tristan Hill 18-10 AC
Lucas Kritzecka 22-9
FERGUS FALLS OTTERS
Head Coach: Adam Schlepp
Central Lakes Conference: 1-6
Overall: 7-15
The Otters defeated UCB in the section 8AA dual 42-31 and they were defeated by Thief River Falls in the quarterfinals. They did earn four section place winners last season, back from that team are three section place winners along with five others with a great deal of experience. If the Otters stay healthy, look for them to challenge their meet marks form last season. Their key leaders should include: Caleb Fronning (39-11), Delvin Roberts (23-20), Carson Fronning (21-30), Kassten Hartwell (19-25) and Jacob Widness (15-18).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Caleb Fronning 8th 39-11 3rd Section
Delvin Roberts 12th 23-20
Carson Fronning 10th 21-30
Kassten Hartwell 10th 19-25 6th Section
Jacob Fronning 9th 16-27
Jacob Widness 12th 15-18 4th Section
Carson Grenier 10th 15-34
Lance Joe Graff 12th 10-31
Graduates:
Sam Sorum 20-13 5th Section
Lucas Oliphant 4-29
SAUK CENTRE/MELROSE
Head Coach: Vaughn Glasener
West Central Conference: 1-4
Overall: 4-17
The Coop were defeated in their Section 8AA dual by Perham 59-15, they will have five section place winners back along with one state qualifier. This includes six with seventeen wins plus. They will have three others with varsity experience also returning. Look for the Coop to possibly challenge their dual meet marks from last season. Their key leaders should include: Jose de las Santos (36-12), Will Sjogren (32-13), Dominic Kerzman (25-22), Mitchell Christian (21-12 and Kevin Raya (19-19).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Jose de las Santos 11th 36-12 2nd Section
Will Sjogren 12th 32-13 4th Section
Dominic Kerzman 10th 25-22 5th Section
Mitchell Christian 12th 21-12 3rd Section
Kevin Raya 11th 19-19 3rd Section
Noah Christian 9th 17-23
Isaac Frericks 10th 6-15
Ben Friedricks 9th 3-10
Graduates:
Sam Berscheit 6-29
UNITED CLAY BECKER BADGERS
Head Coach: Matt Nelson
Heart O’Lakes Conference: 1-3
Overall:
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Sekt Noel 12th 19-8 4th Section
Taylor Johnson 12th 16-9 2nd Section
Ryan Francis 9th 12-15
Jackson Mikkelsen 11th 11-13
Oliver Mikkelsen 10th 7-11
Trenton Strom 9th 4-18
Kody Johnson 10th 3-23
Graduates:
Wyatt Dunham 25-9 3rd Section
Carson Hamre 18-17 5th Section
Ethan Anderson 10-18
