On the Bench with Byron Higgin

The Minneota wrestling program got a shot in the arm last weekend when six Vikings stepped up and earned spots in the individual state tournament. That’s two more than last year and comes after a season that never really took off in the team category.

They never did get injured wrestlers Landon Rolbiecki or Austin Kloos back and they got minimal matches from Jackson Esping — and he didn’t wrestle in the sections.

Yet, there were some incredible years by the Vikings who made state. Eric Carrasco became a dependable wrestler and won the sections, posting a 33-7 record at 113 pounds.

Two very nice surprises was the way Kade Lozinski, 25-16, used an up-and-down season to land in the state tournament with a second place finish.

And then there was Blake Reiss — who at 34-12 won the section title and will take his championship into the state tournament.

Cole VanOverbeke, Teddy Pesch and Shawn Buysse all are repeats back in the state — where VanOverbeke was third and Pesch fifth a year ago.

VanOverbeke, who had a rough weekend in the team sections, went up a weight and wrestled his way to a section title.

Pesch and Buysse both took second but will be back in the state. Coach Joel Skillings said, “I’m so proud of the kids.

This season required them to stay on the path. We had a heck of a schedule. But I couldn’t be happier. They stayed focused on what’s important.”

About going to state the coach said, “I just want ‘em to go down and have a great experience.”

Good Luck boys!