MAT RATS SECTION 2AA PREVIEW 2022-2023
BY ROGER MISCHKE
FAVORITES: WATERTOWN-MAYER ROYALS and the NEW PRAGUE TROJANS
DARK HORSES: ST. PETER SAINTS and the SCOTT WEST TIGERS
WATERTOWN-MAYER ROYALS
Co-Head Coach: Kurt Becker/Bill McDonald
Weighty County Conference: 8-1
Overall: 23-5
The Royals defeated Fairmont/Martin County West 31-30 in the state quarterfinals. They were defeated by Simley 51-10 and Becker 29-28. They did defeat Mankato West 58-10, Scott West 42-30 and for section honors New Prague 31-30. They did earn twelve section place winners, six state qualifiers and two state medals. Back from that team are seven section place winners, three state qualifiers and one state medalist. They will have seven back with eighteen wins plus along with six others with a great deal of varsity experience. The Royals should challenge for Conference honors a talented bunch. They could challenge those good overall dual marks from last season. If they spread out in their weights and stay healthy they should make a challenge to defend their section honors in what should be a very balanced section dual meet campaign. The Royals key leaders should include: Bryce Burkett (46-4), Titan Friederichs (40-3), Jonah Hamberger (27-11), Parker Jackson (26-13), Jack Entinger (25-17) and Patrick Duske (24-17).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Bryce Burkett 10th 46-4 1st Sec./3rd State/AC
Titan Friederichs 9th 40-3 1st Section/AC
Jonah Hamberger 12th 27-11 2nd Section
Parker Jackson 10th 26-13 5th Section
Jack Entinger 11th 25-17
Patrick Duske 12th 24-17 5th Section
Steven Duske 12th 19-22 5th Section
Eli Hamberger 11th 16-25 3rd Section
Jason Fenske 12th 9-8
Joel Friederich 9th 5-4
Owen Christianson 11th 3-17
Kyler Burmeister 10th 3-7
Isaiah Mead 10th 2-7
Graduates:
Ashton Congdon 38-11 2nd Sec./AC/115-58 Career
Jackson Drahos 37-11 2nd Sec./6th State/AC/90-55 Career
Tanner Burmeister 32-10 3rd Section/140-93 Career
Aaron Bury 31-13 5th Section/51-34 Career
Hunter stein 25-14 2nd Section/91-93 Career
Jonah Blakstad Injured (48-54 Career)
NEW PRAGUE TROJANS
Head Coach: Dan Wagner
Metro West: 5-1
Overall: 28-6
The Trojans defeated Mankato East 59-21 and St. Peter 41-21 in their Section 2AA duals. They were defeated by Watertown 31-30 for the section championship. They had nine section place winners, six state qualifiers and four state medalists. Back from that team are eight section place winners, six state qualifiers, in which four earned state medals. Look for the Trojans to challenge for conference honors and to possibly improve on those very good overall dual meet marks from last season. They should make a very strong challenge for section honors, in what should be a very balanced section dual campaign. The the Trojans key leaders should include: Kody Buesgens (49-1), Lawson Eller (48-7), Colton Bornholdt (40-6), Brady Westall (35-14), Evan Farley (30-8), Joey Novak (28-1) and Brandon Michel (30-14).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Kody Buesgens 12th 49-1 1st Sec./State Champ/AC
Lawson Eller 10th 48-7 2nd Section/AC
Colton Bornholdt 12th 40-6 1st Sec./2nd State
Brady Westall 11th 35-14 5th Section/AC
Evan Farley 12th 30-8 1st Sec./4th State/AC
Joey Novak 12th 28-1 1st Sec./2nd State/AC
Brandon Michel 11th 30-14
Cole Herrmann 12th 23-13 4th Section/AC
Brady Gregory 11th 16-27
Kyle McCarthy 11th 13-21
Frank Giesen 12th 13-13
Derek Shaap 12th 3-3
Destiny Lofton 11th 3-9
Peyton Elgren 9th 2-5
Tommy Vaughan 11th 3-2
Graduates:
Evan Anderson 33-9 1st Section/AC/101-49 Career
Ian DeGross 15-17
Memphis Connnelly 9-12
ST. PETER SAINTS
Head Coach: Keith Hanson
Big South Conference: 4-1
Overall: 18-10
The Saints defeated Tri City 30-29 and they were defeated by New Prague 41-21 in the Section 3AA duals. They had eleven section place winners, three state qualifiers and one state medalist. Back from that team are eight section place winners and one state qualifier. They have six back with twenty-six wins plus and two other with varsity experience. This young team should make a challenge for conference honors and they could challenge last years dual meet marks. If they spread out in their weights and stay healthy they could challenge for a top four spot in what should be a balanced section campaign. Their key leaders should include: Leighton Robb (36-12), Cole Filand (36-12), Nakiye Mercado (30-15), Evan Walter (26-17), Harold Born (25-17) and Charlie Born (25-22).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Leighton Robb 11th 36-12 4th Section/AC
Cole Filand 11th 36-12 5th Section/AC
Nakiye Mercado 11th 30-15 3rd Section/AC
Evan Walter 10th 26-17 4th Section
Harold Born 12th 25-17 2nd Section
Charlie Born 10th 25-22 3rd Section
Tayden Travalle 12th 13-22 6th Section
Deontre Torres 9th 11-28 6th Section
Isaiah Hesse 8th 2-3
Graduates:
Kole Guth 40-12 2nd Sec./6th State/AC/163-81 Career
Brogan Hanson 39-11 2nd Section/AC/105-51 Career
Oriel Hidago 16-10 4th Section
Connor Travaille
SCOTT WEST TIGERS
Head Coach: Jerold Stauffacher
Minnesota Conference:
Overall:
The Tigers defeated Glencoe/Silver Lake 48-21 and they were defeated by Watertown-Mayer 42-20. They did earn twelve section place winners, three state qualifiers and two earned state medals. Back from that team are nine section place winners, two state qualifiers and one state medal winner. They will have back six with twenty-four wins plus. This young team should continue to make strides of improvement thru out the course of the season. If they spread out in their weights and stay healthy they could be a challenge to nearly anyone in should be a very balanced section. They should challenge those dual marks from last season. The Tigers key leaders should include: Matt Randolph (43-3), Leo Siekmann (34-11), Caleb Tracy (32-10), Tristan Holbrook (28-14), Dylan Thomas (24-13), Carson Schoenbauer (24-18) and Mason Breeggemann (15-13).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Matt Randolph 11th 43-3 1st Sec./2nd State
Leo Siekmann 11th 34-11 3rd Section
Caleb Tracy 11th 32-10 2nd Section
Tristan Holbrook 10th 28-14 6th Section
Dylan Thomas 10th 24-13 6th Section
Carson Schoenbauer 11th 24-18 4th Section
Landon Church (12th) 21-5 (Injuries)
Mason Breeggemann 9th 15-13 6th Section
Isaac Williams 9th 14-13 6th Section
Bennet Balk 8th10-20
Luke Merweather 12th 8-10 6th Section
Graduates:
Zach Tracy 40-10 2nd Sec./4th State
Ashton Holbrook 25-16 4th Section
Preston Kes 14-16 6th Section
TRI-CITY UNITED TITANS
Co-Head Coaches: Shawn Timmerman/Paul Norgren
Minnesota River Conference: 2-1
Overall: 9-11
The Titans were defeated in their Section 2AA dual by St. Peter 30-29. They had nine section place winners, three state qualifiers and one state medalists. Back from that team are eight section place winners, two state qualifiers on which one was a state medal winner. They will have seven back with fifteen plus wins. The Titans should challenge their dual marks from last season and they could if they spread in their weights and stay healthy possible could surprise someone at the end of the season and make a challenge for a top four spot. This should be a pretty balanced section dual campaign. The Titans key leaders should include: Caden O’Malley (39-7), Carter O’Malley (35-3), Cole Franek (32-13), Chris Johnson (32-15), Brant Lemieux (25-19) and Marco Reyes (19-9).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Caden O’Malley 12th 39-7 1st Sec./3rd State/AC
Carter O’Malley 12th 35-3 2nd Section/AC
Cole Franek 12th 32-13 3rd Section/AC
Chris Johnson 12th 32-15 3rd Section/AC
Brant Lemieux 12th 25-19 3rd Section/AC
Marco Reyes 12th 19-9 3rd Section
Allen Krenik 9th 15-23 5th Section
Eli Wiskocil 11th 11-29 6th Section
Tyler Stans 12th 7-29
Graduates:
Caleb Whipps 31-6 2nd Sec./AC/163-51 Career
Robert Bastyr 17-13 5th Section
MOUND-WESTONKA WHITE HAWKS
Head Coach: Todd Munsterteiger
Wright County Conference: 2-7
Overall: 13-12
The White Hawks were defeated by Mankato East 51-30 in their Section 2AA dual. Back from that four section place winners, four state qualifiers and one state medalist. They will have six with nineteen plus wins and five additional wrestlers with varsity experience. For the White Hawks to challenge those dual meet marks and to possibly move up in the conference. Their key leaders should include: Jack Nelson (45-3), Sam Diopzehly (43-8), Cooper Rowe (39-4) and Cole Munsterteiger (36-7).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Jack Nelson 11th 45-3 2nd Sec./State Champ/
Sam Diopzeghly 12th 43-8 2nd Sec./4th State/
Cooper Rowe 9th 39-4 1st Sec./3rd State/
Cole Munsterteiger 10th 36-7 1st Section/
Luke Rodelius 12th 19-20
Mason Merritt 9th 19-25
Rob Wheeler 12th 9-26
John Geeman 10th 6-12
Terrion Somerville 12th 6-11
Drake Woodruff 11th 5–0
Graduates:
Ryan Butler 14-18
Nolan Shaw 13-15
McGuire Musslman 8-23
Carter Nelson 6-23
Dylan Heldman 4-27
GLENCOE-SILVER LAKE PANTHERS
Head Coach: Lance Wurm
Wright County Conference: 4-5
Overall: 15-13
The Panthers defeated Orono 76-6 and they were beat by Scott West 48-21 in their section duals. They did earn seven section place winners, back from that team are five section place winners, eight with double figure with and four others with varsity experience. The Panthers should make strides of improvement thru out the season. If they can spread in their weights, stay healthy and fill in with junior varsity they should challenge their dual marks from last season. Their key leaders should be: Jace Cacka (36-7), Aaron Higgins (31-11), Brody Ruschmeier (25-15) and Mason Schilling (21-15).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Jace Cacka 12th 36-7 3rd Section
Aaron Higgins 12th 31-11
Brody Ruschmeier 9th 25-15 4th Section
Mason Schilling10th21-15
Dawson Varpness 12th 17-24 5th Section
Jack Cacka 10th 14-13 6th Section
Jackson Wischnack 9th 13-19
Braydon Linsmeier 8th 11-24
Connor Meyer 11th 9-8
Graduates:
Keegan Lemke 40-6 3rd Section
Riley Butcher 28-7 3rd Section
Kyle Hagen 21-20
ORONO SPARTANS
Head Coach: Joe McPherson
Metro West Conference: 3-3
Overall: 5-11
The Spartans will have back one section place and twelve others with a great deal of varsity experience. This very young team should make strides of improvement thru out the season. If they stay healthy and stay spread in their weights, they should improve on their dual meet mark from last season. They could move up in the conference standings. The key leaders should include Brady McPherson (23-22), Christian Linch (13-19), Frankie Stevenson (13-19) and Mason Pankonin (11-8).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Brady McPherson 11th 23-22 5th Section/AC
Christian Linch 12th 13-19
Frankie Stevenson 10th 13-19
Mason Pankonin 11th 11-8
Max Hultmann 11th 6-12
Jack Euqster 11th 6-23
Brett Kiecker 9th 5-18
Alec Peterson 8th 4-12
Sam Schmid 11th 4-20
James Foley 8th 4-8
Griffin Reiner 12th 4-24
Solomon Rothbauer 9th 3-3
Graduate:
Eli McKown 19-20 6th Section
MANKATO EAST COUGARS
Head Coach: Jon Dierks
Big Nine Conference: 4-6
Overall: 11-16
The Cougars defeated Mound-Westonka 51-30 and they were defeated by New Prague 59-21 in the section duals. They did earn seven section place winners, including one state qualifier. They will have back four section place winners, one state qualifier, this included five with twenty-four plus wins. If the Cougars spread out in their weights and they can fill in some junior varsity, they should challenge their marks from last season and move up in the conference. They could surprise a couple of their rivals thru out the course of the season. Their key leaders should include: Brian Thilges (42-12), Cael Willaert (30-18), Luke Scholtes (28-17), Jackson Buboltz (24-21), Ben Glogowski (19-21) and Max Morgan (15-14).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Brian Thilges 12th 42-12 2nd Section
Cael Willaert 12th 30-18 5th Section
Luke Scholtes 11th 28-17 4th Section/AC
Jackson Buboltz 9th 24-21 3rd Section
Ben Glogowski 12th 19-21
Max Morgan 9th 15-14
Bennett Blom 8th 11-9
Graduates:
Wyatt Rodriguiez 28-9 3rd Section/36-17 Career
Nate Drumm 25-7 5th Section/AC/46-20 Career
Brady Hoffner 20-22 4th Section/35-38 Career
Hayden Pietsch 6-15
MANKATO WEST SCARLETS
Head Coach: Bryce Andrews
Bing Nine Conference: 4-5
Overall: 7-11
The Scarlets defeated Delano 49-29 and they were defeated by Watertown-Mayer 58-10 in their section duals. They will have two section place winners back, and eight with great deal of experience. The Scarlets could surprise some people along the way. They should challenge those dual marks from last season and possibly move up in the conference. Their key leaders should include: Brody Koberoski (26-14), Robert Wicks (11-20), Schafer Ehmke (10-9) and Evan Wieks (15-15).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Brody Koberoski 11th 26-14 4th Section
Robert Wicks 10th 11-20 6th Section
Schafer Ehmke 11th 10-9
Evan Wieks 11th 15-15 (Injured/two years ago record)
Stihl Koberoski 9th 7-20
Ian Rista 11th 7-9
Soren Ehmke 9th 3-12
Noah Dismore 12th 3-5
Caden Truebenbock 10th 7-21
AJ Enrico 12th 4-19
Graduates:
Joshua Allen 29-13 5th Section
Nolan krzmarzick11-22
Gannon Rosenfeld 10-0 1st Sec./3rd State
Isaac Murray 8-19
Lander McMichael 5-14
Evan Ehmke 1-6
DELANO TIGERS
Head Coach: Jeff Olson
Wright County Conference: 1-8
Overall: 3-20
The Tigers will have back three section place winners, including a state qualifier and six others with some varsity experience. Look for this young team to make steady improvement thru out the course of the season. they should challenge their dual marks from last season. If they spread in weights and fill in with junior varsity. Their key leaders should include: Cael Olson (35-10), Tate Olson (19-12), Holton Vandelinde (15-13) and Landon Hinchcliff (15-14).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Cael Olson 11th 35-10 1st Section/AC
Tate Olson 8th 19-12 4th Section
Holton Vandelinde 9th 15-13 4th Section
Landon Hinchcliff 11th 15-14
Jeff Ritter 9th 7-11
Zan Kestner 9th 6-16
Grant Haris 11th 2-9
Isaiah Depa 9th 2-9
Graduates:
Clete Scherer 13-2 Injured/132-37 Career
Chase McClay 24-17 5th Section
Ashton Esco 11-20
Jack Stoffels 11-25
Brady Jaunich 9-17
Jaden Vetruba 8-16
Matthew Coons 7-16
ROCKFORD ROCKETS
Head Coach: Paul Starika
Wright County County Conference:
Overall:
The Rockets will have back six with varsity experience, the key leaders include: Patrick Andry (23-10), Bradley Graunke (11-15), Hunter Hannegrefs (9-18) and Ethan Scarbrough (7-18).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Patrick Andry 12th 23-10
Bradley Graunke 9th 11-15
Hunter Hannegrefs 11th 9-18
Ethan Scarbrough 12th 7-18
Roman Morgan 8th 3-9
Sam Stuckmayer 11th 1-8
Graduate:
Avery Gordee 16-18