By: Kevin Fick
St. Paul, MN
Several months ago the first recap of
the 2014 wrestling season was posted. In
it the wrestling season was compared to a book.
Just like any book there are chapters that develop characters, describe
plots and set the tone with the necessary drama to keep followers
interested. The chapters were in the
form of weeks of competition, the wrestlers themselves starred as the main
characters with a supporting cast of coaches and other teams. The plots developed as the weeks passed with
the team setting itself up for a conference title and a deep into section
playoffs. There was plenty of drama and
as with any sports team there were highs and lows. Goals were set and sometimes met while other
times the team fell just short.
Individually wrestlers set their personal goals which ranged from
milestone wins to reaching and placing in the state tournament. Just like any story there is always an
ending, a last chapter that is the pinnacle of the tale…..in this storyline
that ends with the Minnesota High School State Wrestling Tournament.
The state tournament is held at the
XCEL Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. Thursday,
February 27th it all began with a day of team wrestling. The top teams from all eight sections in all
three classes compete to find out what team is top dog in its class in the
state of Minnesota. In class A, which is
where West Central Area/Ashby/Evansville wrestles, section 6 was represented by
Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale. The Raiders were
dispatched by Frazee whom lost to Chatfield.
Chatfield defeated Atwater/Cosmos/Grove City for the team
championship. Class AA was won by Simley
and Apple Valley secured AAA.
The individual tournament took place
Friday, Feb. 28th and Saturday March 1st. In all it took 1,050 matches to find the place
winners in all 14 weight divisions for the three classes. That is a lot of wrestling. If a person thinks there is intensity and
emotions at the section level that individual should take a trip to the state
competition. These kids leave it all on
the mat each time they get a chance. The
level of talent is obviously incredible as is the will of each wrestler to
win. Having viewed what was going on
before during and after the matches a large amount of credit is given to the
coaches who are able to keep their boys calm and cool enough to compete in the
next match. Most of these boys at this
level are not used to losing and it can be devastating at the worst possible
moments. There isn’t much time after a
loss to think about it, the wrestler needs to quickly focus and be ready for
the next person and not look past him to the next person. That may all sound fairly simple but these
kids, who look like men, rely heavily on their coaches to guide them through
emotionally while they pit everything they’ve got physically against their
opponents. Sometimes it’s enough, sometimes
it’s not. No matter what the outcome any
competitor should feel honored to wrestle with the best of the best as the top
16 athletes in each weight class go toe to toe.
For each of the five WCAAE entrants there is plenty of room to improve
next year and goals are already being set.
Jake Nohre wrestled at 106 lbs. In Jake’s first match he was defeated by # 4
ranked Tanner Pasvogel (Sibley East) per decision 7-0. Jakes second match in wrestle backs ended in
a defeat to Ethan Cota (Kenyon-Wanamingo) per decision 7-1.
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Coach Brandon Gruchow…”Although Jake didn’t
finish the way he wanted he wrestled hard and pushed the pace against both of
his opponents. He definitely wants to and
will improve. I know he is already planning his off-season tournaments which
will help him find a place high on the podium next season.”
Levi Larkin wrestled at 113 lbs. Levi Caught a bit of a break in his first
match as #3 ranked Tanner Reetz (Frazee) didn’t make weight. Levi’s second match was in the quarter-finals
against #4 ranked Jared Goldsmith (Chatfield).
Levi was defeated by fall in :44.
Levi next wrestled in the wrestle backs against Lucas Reiplinger
(Blackduck/Cass Lake-Bena). Levi won his
match 4-2 . Levi was next defeated by #2
Trenton Coyer (Osakis) per decision 5-1.
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Coach Gruchow…”Levi may have had
a little luck involved in getting him to the spot he had but he sure wrestled
like he belonged in the state tournament.
He didn’t back down to anyone. I
was really impressed with the eighth graders composer over the course of the
tournament. He will be ready to repeat
his appearance and watch out, he is going to be older and stronger.”
Jake Larkin wrestled at 138 lbs. Jakes first match was a defeat to Ryan Engfer
(Osakis) per decision 4-1. Jake’s
opportunity to compete in wrestle backs ended when Engfer lost in the
quarter-finals.
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Coach Gruchow…”Jake pushed
through some serious and nagging pain from a torn meniscus injury for the last
month of the season. It’s not the
tournament you want to enter injured… kudos to Jake for pushing through the
pain and trying his best. I can’t wait
to see his finish next year when he is healthy and back in tip top shape!”
Royal Crow wrestled at 152 lbs. Royal defeated Jake Magnell (Red Lake County
Central) per decision 2-1. Royal was
defeated in the quarter-finals by #4 Brady Bos (Pipestone) per decision
4-1. In the wrestle backs Crow was
defeated by Devin Meagher (Paynesville) per fall 4:52.
Coach Gruchow…”Crow battled fiercely against
some tough competition. I know Royal was
giving it his all out there. He will be
another one you can bet that will be putting in many extra hours training,
wrestling, and improving in the offseason.
He knows some of his techniques he wants to improve on. I am confident he will work and improve on
them so that he can take home some hardware in next season’s state tournament.”
Hunter Fick wrestled at 195 lbs.
placing 5th in the tournament.
Fick opened with a win over Tanner Templin (Blackduck/Cass Lake-Bena)
per decision 7-2. In his quarter-final
match Fick beat #10 Derek Ludwig (Paynesville) per decision 8-2. Hunter lost in the semi-finals to #4 Vince
Johnson (Windom/Mountain Lake) per decision 4-3. In the consolation semis Hunter went down to
#2 Tyler Patron (New York Mills) per decision 6-3. In his final match Hunter defeated #6 Jake
Denn (Madelia/Truman/Martin Luther) per decision 6-4 to secure 5th
place. Coach Gruchow…”Hunter Fick had an
outstanding tournament and wrestled better than he has all year. Falling just a point short in the semi-finals
really has given Hunter a whole new outlook on how he wants to finish next
season. In Hunter’s 5th place finish (very
deserved) he just plain out wrestled well.
Goals have already been set to be the #1 wrestler at 195 pound for Class
A in the 2015 state tournament. What a
great expectation to have going into a new season. I am so happy and proud of his
accomplishments.”
Coach Gruchow goes on to say…”What a
weekend! Talk about emotional. With 5 wrestlers competing it’s a much different experience than 1 or 2 that we have been taking recently, with the
exception in 2010 when we had 5 guys as
well. We wrestled pretty
well. We got some wins, brought home
some hardware (which hasn’t been done since 2010), and made some more memories
that will continue to drive the future success of our wrestlers and program.
Thanks boys for all your hard work,
perseverance, and dedication you have shown throughout this season. You are all very deserving of your accomplishments
this season. These 5 wrestlers have set
a good base for next year’s expectations.
This year’s state entrants along with the twenty-two other members of
the 2014 team and next year’s incoming 7th graders have some high expectations
to fill in 2015. Once again…I can’t wait
for next season to begin!
It’s crazy to think the high school
wrestling season is over. I feel like the season just started. I guess that’s what happens when you are
having fun. I feel like we accomplished
so many great things this season as both a team and as individuals. I can
already feel an emptiness starting to develop; it’s a feeling I get every year
at the end of the season. I know the
feeling will hit extra hard with all the improvements, memories, and fun we
have put together this season. Come
Monday, there won’t be any JV/Varsity practice to attend. It will be different but thank goodness I
have the Elementary and MN USA Club wrestling to keep me busy while I
anticipate next season to start.”
Place winner from section 6A
106 lb. Anthony Kern
(Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale) 6th place
120 lb. Cameron Sykora (Border West)
1st place
120 lb. Conrad Kondos (Breckenridge)
3rd place
145 lb. Devin Barthel (Wadena-Deer
Creek) 6th place
170 lb. Austin Maanum (Border West) 4th
place
195 lb. Tyler Patron (New York Mills)
4th place
195 lb. Hunter Fick (West Central
Area/Ashby/Evansville) 5th place
220 lb. Dillon Card (Bertha
Hewitt/Verndale) 3rd place
Area Place Winners
113 lb. Trenton Coyer (Osakis) 6th
place Class A
120 lb. Brenden Coyer (Osakis) 5th
place Class A
160 lb. Dane Ringquist (Fergus Falls)
5th place Class AA
195 lb. Abram Aho (Fergus Falls) 5th
place Class AA
195 lb. Justin Cumberbatch
(Alexandria) 1st place Class AAA
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