Youth wrestlers perform well for Minneota
Minneota’s Seventh to Ninth Grade League Wrestling team wrapped up its season this past weekend with the Individual State Tournament in Champlin Park.
Seventh Grader Zack Fier was Minneota’s only State Entrant and he was 1-2 at the state level.
The Minneota 7-9th Grade Wrestling Team started their tournament play on January 15 in Willmar at the Team Region Event, including: ACGC, Benson, BOLD, KMS, MAHACA, NL-S, Quad County, Willmar, Canby, Marshall, Minneota, Redwood-River Valley, TMB/WWG, Wabasso/RRC, United.
Minneota placed fourth in the Team Region Event. Winning the first round over MAHACA , losing to United, then defeating Redwood-River Valley, before losing a 36-36 match for third to MAHACA on the seventh criteria.
The top three teams from each region advanced to state. ACGC, United, and MAHACA in Hastings, MN. ACGC placed second, United place fifth and MAHACA did not place. Minneota’s 7-9th Grade Team includes: 94-Peyton Gillund, Troy Van Keulen, Logan Myhre; 100-Zack Fier; 106-Jonah Gruenes, Truman Wambeke; 113-Eric Carrasco; 120-Hudson Scholten; 126-Kade Lozinski; 132-James Gednalske; 138-Brenden Johnson; 145-Tyler Gronke; 152-Justin Johnson; 160-Austin Vierstraete; 170-Axander Curvin; 189-Trey Gronke; 285-Jackson Esping and Jayden Gamrak.
The wrestlers then moved into Individual Regions in Tracy, where the top two individuals from each weight class advanced to State in Champlin Park.
Finishes included: 80-Troy VanKeulen, first place (88 is not a weight at the state tournament); 94-Logan Myhre 8th Place 100 Zack Fier, second; 126-James Gednalske sixth; 145-Tyler Gronke seventh; 160 Axander Curvin sixth and 285-Jayden Gamrak, seventh.
“We have a very good group of kids who have improved a lot during this season. Eight of the 18 team members are just in their first or second year of wrestling.”
“They are having fun, gaining confidence and learning the sport quickly. Seven of the team members have been utilized at the varsity level and due to match count limits were unable to wrestle individual sections for ninth grade league.”
“I’m very excited about this young group of 18 wrestlers. They work hard and are willing to learn. They have all improved a great deal though this season and each of these wrestlers have had the opportunity to wrestle 20-45 matches,” said Coach J.D. Pesch.