Wrestling squad holds awards banquet

The Minneota wrestling team held its annual banquet virtually recently due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The seven state entrants were recognized for their accomplishments this season: Destin Fier at 106 pounds, Peyton Gillund at 113, Eric Caarrasco at 120 (5th in state), Zack Fier at 145 (4th), Jonah Gruenes at 152 (3rd), Jackson Esping at 220 (5th) and Jayden Gamrak at 285.
Carrasco earned the Hardest Worker Award, while Jonah Gruenes was named the Most Valuable Teammate. Alex DePestel received the Most Improved Award and Adam DeVlaeminck and Chase Johnson were co-winner of the Building Block Award.
The Vikings finished the season with a 24-5 record under coach Matt Myrvik. The team finished second in the Section 3A tournament.

Letterwinners this year included (total number of letters in parenthesis): Seniors - Eric Carrasco (5), Trey Gronke (4). Juniors - Jonah Gruenes (4), Jackson Esping (4), Jayden Gamrak (2), Conner Sik (2), Tyler Gronke (2). Sophomores - Zack Fier (4), Peyton Gillund (2), Hudson Scholten (2), Branden Johnson (2). Freshmen - Alex DePestel (3) ... 8th graders - Destin Fier (2), Eli Gruenes (1), Chase Johnson (1), Noah Gorecki (1), Kyler Lozinski (1). 7th graders - Adam DeVlaeminck (1), Brock Fier (1). Letters of participation went to Kade Lozinski and Troy VanKeulen.

Finals varsity records
Jonah Gruenes 35-3
Eric Carrasco 31-5
Jackson Esping 31-6
Zack Fier 31-6
Peyton Gillund 25-11
Jayden Gamrak 25-3
Destin Fier 23-12
Hudson Scholten 19-15
Troy VanKeulen 17-9
Kade Lozinski 14-7
Eli Gruenes 11-19
Adam DeVlaeminck 9-8
Branden Johnson 8-20
Brock Fier 5-6
Trey Gronke 3-2
Conner Sik 2-12
Noah Gorecki 1-1
Chase Johnson 1-1
Tyler Gronke 0-5
Browdy Lozinski 0-1
Kyler Lozinski 0-1

Most nearfalls - J.Gruenes 39
Most team points - J.Gruenes 186
Most takedowns - Z.Fier 56
Most falls - Z.Fier 19
Most escapes - Gillund 27
Most reversals - DePestel 17