MAT RATS SECTION 7AA PREVIEW 2022-2023
BY ROGER MISCHKE
FAVORITES: MORA MUSTANGS and the PIERZ PIONEERS
DARK HORSES: AITKIN GOBBLERS and GRAND RAPIDS THUNDER HAWKS
MORA MUSTANGS
Head Coach: Tom Youngblood
Granite Ridge Conference: 5-1
Overall: 24-8
The Mustangs lost a pair of duals in the state dual tournament; they were defeated by Kasson-Montorville 49-13 and by Thief River Falls 44-26. They did defeat Pierz 46-24, Grand Rapids 54-13 and Aitkin 34-27 to earn the Section 7AA section honors. They earned twelve section place winners, six state qualifiers and one state medal winner. Back from that team are eleven section place winners, including six state qualifiers and a state medal winner. They have nine back with twenty five plus wins. Look for the Mustangs to make a challenge challenge to defend both section and conference honors. If they spread out in weights and stay healthy they should challenge their dual meet marks from last season. There is a lot of talent returning and with their state tournament experience look for the Mustangs to possibly make a challenge for state honors. Their key leaders should include: Nathan Nelson (44-5), Mason Nelson (42-4), Dylan Adams (36-8), Brock Folkema (34-14), Avery Nelson (29-10), Anthony Nelson (28-10), Jared Yates (27-10) and Carter Gmahl (25-6).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Nathan Nelson 11th 44-5 1st Sec./6th State/AC
Mason Nelson 11th 42-4 1st Section/AC
Dylan Adams 12th 36-8 3rd Section/AC
Brock Folkema 11th 34-14 2nd Section
Avery Nelson 12th 29-10 3rd Section/AC
Anthony Nelson 12th 28-10 2nd Section/AC
Jared Yates 10th 27-10 3rd Section
Carter Gmahl 10th 25-6 1st Section
Connor Gmahl 12th 25-6 1st Section/AC
Tucker Hass 12th 18-7 4th Section/AC
Brock Peterson 12th 12-19 4th Section
Graduates:
Josh Gardner 19-26 4th Section
Cael Sjodin14-13
PIERZ PIONEERS
Head Coach: George “Skip” Toops
Great River Conference: 5-1
Overall: 21-6
The Pioneers defeated Rush City/Braham 70-3 in their section quarterfinal and they were defeated by Mora in the semifinals. They earned ten section place winners, including three state qualifiers and one medal winner. Back from that team are seven section place winners, including two state qualifiers. This included six with twenty-six wins plus and three others with experience. This young team should challenge for possible honors in the conference. Look for them to make a strong challenge for one of the top four spots in this section dual meet campaign. If they spread in their weights and stay healthy they should challenge their very good dual meet numbers from last season. Their key leaders should include: Jacob LaBlanc (34-7), Carter Young (33-6), Liam Hennessy (30-8), Chase Becker (26-11), Derek Stangl (21-13) and Nathan Nash (21-13).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Jacob LaBlanc 12th 34-7 4th Section/AC
Carter Young 9th 33-6 1st Section/AC
Liam Hennessy 9th 30-8 3rd Section/AC
Chase Becker 11th 26-11 2nd Section
Derek Stangl 12th 26-13 4th Section/AC
Nathan Nash 10th 21-13 6th Section
Kyle Stangl10th13-18
Derrick Przbilla 12th 12-26
Caleb Koch 10th 8-6 5th Section
Wyatt Dingmann 11th 7-18
Brayden Melby 9th 2-3
Graduates:
Trevor Radunz 44-1 1st Sec./3rd State/AC/176-47 Career
Daniel Hoffman 22-16 5th Section/AC/46-53 Career
Frank Tomberlin 22-21 6th Section/AC/41-57 Career
Alexander Gerwing 8-20
Grant Kuske 4-6
GRAND RAPIDS THUNDER HAWKS
Head Coach: Grand Rapids Thunder Hawks
Overall:
The Thunder Hawks defeated Procter/Hermantown 72-10 and they were defeated by Mora 54-13. They had six section placers, three state qualifiers and one state medal winner. Back from the team are three section place winners of which one state qualifier. This included seven with double figure wins and five others back with experience. Look for this young team to continue to make strides of improvement. They should make a challenge for one of the top four spots in this dual meet campaign. The Thunder Hawks challenge those dual meet marks from last season. Their key leaders should include: Alex Lehman (32-12), Asher Brenden (30-14), Tanner Morlan (31-16), Ripley Means (20-14) and Justin Jobe (10-4).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Alex Lehman 11th 32-12 3rd Section
Asher Brenden 10th 30-14 2nd Section
Tanner Morlan 10th 31-16
Ripley Means 12th 20-14
Logan Martin 12th 14-27
Holden Brink 10th 13-18
Justin Jobe 11th 10-4 3rd Section
Alex Smith 9th 7-8
Graduates:
Dusty Wilke 35-2 1st Sec./5th State
Zach Wilke 35-7 1st Section
Caydon Lehman 24-15
Mason Peterson 23-16
Philip Keenan 18-22 6th Section
Sam Villeneuve-Soul 10-21
AITKIN GOBBLERS
Head Coach: Larry Liljenquist
Mid-State Conference: 5-1
Overall: 21-4
The Gobblers defeated Rock Ridge 59-8 and Milaca-Faith Christian 49-12 and in the finals of the Section 7AA duals, they were defeated by Mora 34-27. The Gobblers had thirteen section place winners, including five state qualifiers and one medal winner. Back from that team are seven section place winners, including three state qualifiers. They will have five with nineteen wins. Look for the Gobblers to possibly challenge those dual marks from last season. They should challenge for possible conference honors. If they get spread out in their weights, they are able to fill some with some junior varsity and stay healthy they could make a strong challenge for one of the top four spots in this section dual meet campaign. The Gobblers key leaders should include Craig Ashton (39-8), Nathan Trotter (37-13), Kenny Erickson (31-16), Jacob Williams (31-11) and John Pilarski (27-11).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Craig Ashton 12th 39-8 1st Section
Nathan Trotter 11th 37-13 1st Section
Kenny Erickson 11th 31-16 2nd Section
Jacob Williams 10th 31-11 5th Section
John Pelarski 10th 27-11 4th Section
Jacob Benson-Vick 11th 19-18 4th Section
Dane Larson 10th 2-4 6th Section
Graduates:
Marshall Larson 48-8 1st Sec./6th State/174-40 Career
Carson Kullhem 38-16 2nd Sec./174-55 Career
James Erickson 31-12 4th Sec./55-20 Career
Nathan Stifter 21-13 6th Section
Dan Decent 18-13 6th Section
Zachary Leitinger 16-25 4th Section
MILACA-FAITH CHRISTIAN WOLVES
Co-Head Coaches: Mitch Vedders/Clay Hoeck
Granite Ridge Conference: 1-5
Overall: 10-11
The Wolves defeated Pine City/Hinckley-Finlayson 45-30 and they were defeated by Aitkin 49-12. They had nine section place winners and two state qualifiers, they have all back, with no one graduating last spring. They will have back six with nineteen plus wins and eight others with a varsity experience. Look for the Wolves to have a very experience team on the mat, they should move up in the conference standings and make a strong challenge to improve on their over all dual meet marks. Look for the Wolves to surprise some foes thru out the season, they could make a challenge for one of the top four spots in their section dual meet campaign. The Wolves key leaders should include: Logan Ash (25-9), Jack Schoenborn (22-12), Colbee Zens (21-13), Jack Hanson (21-12), Jack Nord (20-12) and Caleb Sahlstrom (19-11).
RETURNING WRESTERS:
Logan Ash 12th 25-9 2nd Section/AC
Jack Schoenborn 12th 22-12 3rd Section/AC
Colbee Zens 12th 21-13 2nd Section/AC
Jack Hanson 11th 21-12 5th Section
Jack Nord 12th 20-12 6th Section
Caleb Sahlstrom 12th 19-11 5th Section
Austin Linder 12th 15-16 5th Section
Lincoln Starr 9th 14-12 5th Section
Hunter Bockoven 12th 14-17
Clay Anderson 12th 12-9 3rd Section
Seth Noack 12th 10-22
Chase VanDonsel 11th 5-21
Carson Ash 10th 3-3
Nicholas Reese 12th 4-10
Zackary Wallace 11th 2-8
HIBBING BLUE JACKETS
Head Coach: Ray Pierce
Overall:
The Blue Jackets were defeated by their neighbors in the section 7AA dual by Ridge Rock 41-34. They did earn seven section place winners, with six state qualifiers and one state medal winner. Back from that team are six section place winners, including six state qualifiers and one state medal, along with five others with experience. Overall this is a young team, look for them to make a strong challenge to improve on those dual meet numbers. If the Blue Jackets spread out in their weights and stay healthy, they should make strides of improvement. They surely could surprise some of their foes thru out the season. The Blue Jackets key leaders should include: Bryson Larrabee (34-12, Thomas Hagen (32-13), Christian Jelle (31-5), Drew Shay (28-12), Ian Larrabee (23-11) and Cooper Hendrickson (22-10).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Bryson Larrabee 12th 34-12 2nd Section
Thomas Hagen 12th 32-13 2nd Section
Christian Jelle 9th 31-5 1st Sec./6th State
Drew Shay 12th 28-12 1st Section
Ian Larrabee 12th 23-11 2nd Section
Cooper Hendrickson 11th 22-10 2nd Section
Jack Bautch 11th 15-22
Gabe Martin 11th 8-26
Alex Henderson 11th 5-21
Nehemiah Figueroa 9th 4-20
Jacoby Ekanem 8th 4-17
Graduates:
Ethan Roy 24-18 5th Section
RUSH CITY/BRAHAM TIGERS
Head Coach: Matthew Morgan
Great River Conference: 2-3
Overall: 10-18
The Tigers were defeated by Pierz in their only section dual, they did have five section place winners. Back from that team they will return three section place winners, including seven with double figure wins. They will also have back eight others with a great deal of experience. This young team could challenge both over all dual record and their conference dual meet marks. If the Tigers spread out in their weights and stay healthy, look for them to surprise a few foes thru out the season. The Tigers key leaders should include: Isaak Coolidge (37-11), Landon Umbreit (36-11), Kellen Gorman (19-26) and Jesse Eklund (17-16).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Isaak Coolidge 11th 37-11 3rd Section
Landon Umbreit 12th 36-11 5th Section
Kellen Gorman 11th 19-26
Jesse Eklund 11th 17-16
John Cacioppa 10th 16-24
Dalton Bengston 10th 13-20
Anthony Graves 9th 9-29 6th Section
Landon Luckoff 8th 9-31
Kaden Gorman 12th 8-23
Jace Alterton 10th 3-11
Graduates:
Austin Sterling 35-9 3rd Section/88-34 Career
Luke Gould 20-13 6th Section
ROCK RIDGE WOLVERINES
Head Coach: Dennis Benz
Mat King Conference:
Overall: 20-6
The Wolverines beat their neighbors Hibbing 41-34 and they were defeated by Aitkin 59-8. They earned eight section place winners, one state qualifier and a state medal winner. Back from that team are five section place winners, a total of eleven with double figures wins. They will also bolster there line up ten others returning with experience. They could challenge their good dual meet marks from last season. Look for this young team to continue to make strides of improvement thru out the season. They should record a couple of surprises along the way, with a possibly an upset in this section dual meet campaign. Their key leaders should include: Damion Tapio (37-8), Gavin Flannigan (26-17), Dutch Hedblom (25-13), and Colton Gallus (19-19).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Damion Tapio 11th 37-8 3rd Section
Gavin Flannigan 10th 26-17 6th Section
Dutch Hedblom 10th 25-13 5th Section
Colton Gallus 11th 21-20
Keegan Comer 10th 19-19
Corey Beier 12th 18-15
Ian Luecken 11th 15-11 5th Section
Anthony Graves 9th 9-29 6th Section
Graduates:
Gavin Benz 40-5 3rd Section/155-52 Career
Asher Hedblom 38-12 2nd Sec./5th State/104-39 Career
Erik Sundquist 30-15 5th Section/91-105 Career
Jacob Burress 28-21 87-88 Career
PINE CITY/HINCKLEY DRAGONS
Head Coach: Joshua Barnes
Great River Conference: 4-2
Overall: 9-17
The Dragons were defeated by Milaca 45-30 in their section dual, they earned seven section place winners, including a state qualifier and he earned a state medal. Back from that team are three section place winners, five with double figure wins. Their lineup will be bolstered by seven others with experience. Look for the Dragons to continue to improve, they could challenge their dual records from last season. Their key wrestlers should include: John Mead (26-20), Braxton Peetz (19-20), Roman McKinney (18-21), Damien Torgerson (15-21) and Logan Klecki (15-20).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
John Mead 12th 26-20 4th Section
Braxton Peetz 10th 19-20
Roman McKinney 10th 18-21 6th Section
Damien Torgerson 12th 15-21
Logan Klecki 10th 15-20 5th Section
Jace Preston 11th 7-12
Frank Betters 9th 6-12
James Noreen 9th 3-13
Nicholas Blaiser 10th 2-13
Graduates:
Justin Matson 43-3 1st Sec./2nd State/AC/110-27 Career
Timmy Johnson 31-14 3rd Section/AC/75-75 Career
Gavin Rockstroh 29-9 4th Section/AC/126-5- Career
Jacob Lindahl 23-10 3rd Section/AC/76-70 Career
PROCTOR/HERMANTOWN UNITED
Head Coach: Eric McPhee
Great River Conference: 1-4
Overall: 7-15
The United were defeated by Grand Rapids in their section dual 72-10, they earned six section place winners including a state qualifier. Back from that team are five section place winners and a state qualifier. They will have seven back with double figure wins and eight with varsity experience. If this young team stays healthy they should challenge their conference dual record and improve on their overall dual record. The key leaders should include: Zak McPhee (42-6), Dutch Hedblom (25-13), Landon Laakso (24-21) and Gavin Tabbert (19-14).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Zak McPhee 11th 42-6 1st Section/AC
Dutch Hedblom 10th 25-13 5th Section
Landin Laakso 11th 24-21 5th Section
Gavin Tabbert 11th 19-14 4th Section/AC
Cooper Lucarelli 8th 17-19
Nathan Tangen 9th 12-8
Austin Wunner 12th 10-16 6th Section
Brett Pampuch 12th 7-26
Quinn Schnabel 12th 5-25
Dan Harnell 12th 5-12
Thomas Barnstorf 11th 5-19
Zach Wunner 9th 4-18
John Decker 12th 2-22
Graduates:
Robert Laakso 32-9 6th Section/AC/94-53 Career
CLOQUET/ESKO/CARLTON LUMBERJACKS
Head Coach: Al Denman
Great River Conference: 0-5
Overall: 2-13
The Lumberjacks will have back one section place winner and four with double figure wins. They will also have back nine with great deal of varsity experience. Look for this young team to continue to improve, they should challenge those dual meet marks from last season. The key leaders should include: Aiden Thieson (22-6) and Carter Horvat (16-11).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Aiden Thieson 8th 22-6 3rd Section
Carter Horvat 11th 16-11
Warren Hietela 11th 11-12
Bowden Fjeld 10th 10-15
Aiden Rewvers 9th 6-1
Brody Wilson 9th 6-4
Alex Comer 11th 5-12
Carver Fjeld 9th 4-2
Kaiden High 9th 4-4
Brendon Malloy 9th 3-3
