MAT RATS SECTION 3AA PREVIEW 2022-2023
By ROGER MISCHKE
FAVORITES: FAIRMONT MARTIN COUNTY WEST RED BULLS and the HUTCHINSON/BUFFALO LAKE-HECTOR-STEWARD TIGERS
DARK HORSES: NEW LONDON-SPICER WILDCATS and the DAWSON-BOYD-LQPV/MONTEVIDEO UNITED
FAIRMONT MARTIN COUNTY WEST RED BULLS
Head Coach: Adam Williamson
Conference: 5-0
Overall: 26-1
The Red Bulls were defeated in the state quarterfinals by Watertown-Mayer 31-30, they defeated Totino-Grace 57-23 and they were defeated by Thief River Falls 40-25. They defeated Worthington 56-15, Morris Area 41-24 and Hutchinson 32-25 for the Section 3AA honors. They earned eleven section place winners, five state qualifiers and they had three state medal winners. Back from that team are eight section place winners, including three state qualifiers of which one earned a state medal. They will have eight back with twenty plus wins and three others with a great deal of varsity experience. Look for the Red Bulls to make a strong challenge to defend both their section and conference honors which should be a pretty balanced section dual meet campaign. Their key leaders should include: Max Olson (47-5), Carver Rohman (44-8), Rylan Cutler (37-7), Aden Welcome (36-11), Wyatt Williamson (30-8), Gage Typhers (27-11) and Cooper Steuber (23-15).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Max Olson 12th 47-5 1st Sec./5th State/AC
Carver Rohman 12th 44-8 1st Section/AC
Rylan Cutler 11th 37-7 1st Section/
Aden Welcome 12th 36-11 3rd Section/AC
Wyatt Williamson 12th 30-8 3rd Section/
Gage Typhers 12th 27-11 3rd Section/
Cooper Steuber 12th 23-15 4th Section
Taylor Austin 11th 23-18 3rd Section
Torrey Paplow 9th 17-19
Riley Allen 11th 16-24
Berent Koslab 10th 10-29
Graduates:
Jesse Potts 51-2 1st Sec./5th State/AC/139-24 Career
Kain Sanders 51-7 1st Sec./4th State/125-32 Career
Alec Thompson 23-23 6th Section/AC/45-38 Career
HUTCHINSON/BUFFALO LAKE-HECTOR-STEWARD TIGERS
Head Coach: Todd Card
Wright County Conference: 7-2
Overall: 18-7
The Tigers defeated New Ulm 36-27 and they were defeated by Fairmont/Martin County West 32-26 for the Section 3AA section honors. They earned eleven section place winners, including five state qualifiers and two medal winners. Back from that team are nine section medal winners, four state qualifiers of which two earned state medals. The Huskies have back eight with twenty-seven plus wins and two others with a great deal of varsity experience. Look for the Huskies to challenge for Conference honors and to challenge those overall dual meet marks from last season. They should make a strong challenge for Section 3AA honors and potentially for state honors. The key wrestlers should include: Hayden Vandervoort (42-3), Logan Schwanz (41-7), Treyton Card (33-9), Brad Anderson (31-17), Luke Haag (31-10), Jay Rickertsen (29-19), Max Martin (27-14 and Radon Bipes (27-17).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Hayden Vandervoort 12th 42-3 1st Sec./3rd State/AC
Logan Schwanz 10th 41-7 1st Sec./4th State/AC
Treyton Card 12th 33-9 2nd Section/AC
Brady Anderson 12th 31-17 1st Section
Luke Haag 10th 31-10 3rd Section
Jay Rickertsen 12th 29-19 5th Section/AC
Max Martin 10th 27-14 3rd Section
Radon Bipes 10th 27-17 5th Section
Evan Pierce 10th 15-23 5th Section
Cody Tews 11th 11-29
Andrew Soderlund 11th 8-16
Graduates:
Riley Gill 27-14 2nd Section/72-54 Career
Camden Kron 19-19 5th Section/44-42 Career
NEW LONDON-SPICER WILDCATS
Head Coach: Joe Brown
Wright County Conference: 4-5
Overall: 11-15
The Wildcats defeated Quad County 55-15 and they were defeated by Hutchinson in their Section 3AA duals. They earned seven section place winners, including two state qualifiers. Back from that team are six section place winners, one qualifier, in which earned a state medal. They will have seven back with eighteen plus wins. They will also have seven back with a great deal of varsity experience. The Wildcats should move up in the conference and look for them to improve on last years overall dual meet marks. The Wildcats will be a young but experienced team, if they fill in with some of their other experienced wrestlers they could make a challenge for a top four stop in what should be a pretty balance section in this dual meet campaign. The key Wildcat leaders should include: Isaiah Nelson (40-12), Holton Hanson (36-16), Marshal Johnson (36-16), Adam Sandau (21-27), Luke Knudsen (19-6) and Reid Holmquist (19-23).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Isaiah Nelson 10th 40-12 2nd Section
Holton Hanson 9th 36-16 5th Section
Marshal Johnson 11th 36-16 5th Section
Adam Sandau 11th 21-27 6th Section
Luke Knudsen 11th 19-6 Injured/AC
Reid Holmquist 12th 19-23 6th Section
Brody Duke 11th 18-6 6th Section
Everett Halvorson 11th 15-16
Payton Meis 10th 11-28
Caleb Nelson 8th 11-19
Carson Nelson 10th 4-4
Brock Buffington 10th 4-6
Carson McCain 11th 4-9
Carson Nelson 10th 4-4
Graduates:
Luke Ruter 38-8 2nd Sec./AC/149-62 Career
Brody Lien 23-23
Grant Hubbard 12-19
Sam Gabrielson 8-25
Connor Rothwell 1-4
MORRIS AREA/HANCOCK/CA TIGERS
Head Coach: Kyle Rose
West Central Conference: 4-1
Overall:
The Tigers defeated United 42-26 in the section 3AA quarterfinals and they were defeated in the semifinals by Fairmont/Martin County West 41-24. They did earn eight section place winner, including three state qualifiers and two earned state medals. Back from that team are five section place winners, two state qualifiers, of which one earned a medal. They have seven back with double figure wins and also four with some varsity experience. The Tigers could challenge for conference honors, if they spread out in their weight and they stay healthy. They could challenge for a top four spot in what should be a pretty balanced section dual campaign. The Tigers key leaders should include: Davin Rose (48-3), Hunter Gibson (38-10), Grayson Gibson (32-11), Cade Rose (30-15), Brock Marty (25-22) and Tyce Anderson.
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Davin Rose 12th 48-3 1st Sec./4th State/AC
Hunter Gibson 12th 38-10 5th Section/AC
Grayson Gibson 9th 32-11 4th Section/AC
Caden Rose 12th 30-15 2nd Section/AC
Brock Marty 12th 25-22 6th Section/AC
Tyce Anderson 12th AC
Levi Kellberger 10th 16-22
Jeremiah Schmidgall 10th 12-17
Dain Schroeder 12th 7-8
Graduates:
Ethan Lebrija 30-5 1st Sec./4th State/AC
Dallas Walton 35-17 3rd Section/AC
Hunter Massner 26-21 4th Section
Noah Amundson 7-10
NEW ULM EAGLES
Head Coach: Kevin Briggs
Big South Conference: 2-3
Overall: 12-12
The Eagles defeated Windom/Mountain Lake 53-24 and Marshall 32-29 in their section 3AA duals. They were defeated in the semifinals by Hutchinson 36-27. They earned eleven section place winners, three state qualifiers and one state medalist. Back from that team are seven section place winners, one was a state qualifier. They will have seven back with seventeen plus wins and three others with varsity experience. Look for this young team to challenge those conference and the overall dual meet marks from last season. If the Eagles spread out in their weights and stay healthy they could make a challenge for a top four spot in what should be a very balanced section dual meet campaign. Their key leaders should include: Winston Nienhaus (39-5), Logan Lee (26-9), Marqavion Hefner (24-19), Wyatt Pollard (22-18) and Elijah Rieser (20-21).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Winston Nienhaus 11th 39-5 3rd Section
Logan Lee 11th 26-9 5th Section
Marqavion Hefner 12th 24-19 4th Section
Wyatt Pollard 10th 22-18 4th Section
Elijah Rieser 9th 20-21 6th Section
Ty Frederick 11th 18-22 4th Section
Parker Kamm 11th 17-5 2nd Section
Alex Portner 8th 13-18
Ethan Lieb 11th 5-20
Graduates:
Jaden Drill 39-4 2nd Sec./5th State
Dylan Carreon 32-17 2nd Section
Ryan Wiltschek 25-22 3rd Section
Julian Hermandez 21-8 3rd Section
Isaiah Rieser 11-19
DAWSON-BOYD-LQPV/MONTEVIDEO UNITED
Head Coach: Hank Ireland
West Central Conference: 5-0
Overall: 21-5
The United was defeated by Morris Area 42-26 in their Section 3AA dual. They did earn ten section place winners, five state qualifiers and two state medals. Back from that team they will have six section place winners, including two state qualifiers, of which one was a state medalist. They will have six with twenty-one wins plus back and four others with varsity experience. Look for the United crew to make a strong challenge to defend their conference honors. They should challenge those good dual meet marks from last season. The United could also make a challenge for one of the top four spots in this balanced section. If they spread out in their weights and get the right match ups. The key leaders for the United Crew should include: Daniel Gunlogson (50-3), Zander Clausen (43-8), Holt Larson (28-15), Ben Gulogson (24-15) Zach DeBeer (25-11) and Ethan Moravetz (21-25).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Daniel Gunlogson 11th 50-3 1st Sec./3rd State/AC
Zander Clausen 12th 43-8 2nd Section/AC
Holt Larson 12th 28-15 5th Section
Ben Gunlogson 9th 24-16
Ethan Moravetz 12th 21-25
Zach DeBeer 11th 25-11
Park Bothun 11th 15-13 4th Section
Nolan Kwilinski 9th 9-9 4th Section
Brady Rhode 11th 8-5 5th Section
Mason Pederson 11th 2-16
Graduates:
Keaton Haas 36-10 2nd Section/AC/93-48 Career
Avery Wittnebel 33-12 2nd Section/AC/74-51 Career
Dain Mortenson 16-8 2nd Sec./6th State/104-53 Career
Tyler Schickedanz 18-24 5th Section
Isaac Marovetz 4-23
MARSHALL TIGERS
Head Coach: Justin Bouwman
Big South West Conference: 5-1
Overall: 14-5
The Tigers were defeated by New Ulm in the section 3AA quarterfinals 32-29. They did have six section place winners, three state qualifiers and two state medal winners. The Tigers will have back five section place winners, three state qualifiers, of which two earned medals. They will have nine with sixteen wins plus and seven others with varsity experience. The Tigers will have a very young and very talented team. Look for them to make strides of improvement thru out the season. They should challenge their conference dual record and should make a strong challenge to improve on last years overall dual record. If they spread out in their weights and stay healthy, the Tigers could surprise some people along the way and possibly at section time. Their key leaders include: Dylan Louwagie (45-4), Tate Condezo (44-6), Landon Marthaler (36-8), Tucker Fiene (33-13), Drew Chandler (27-19) and Dawson DeCamp (22-18).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Dylan Louwagie 11th 45-4 2nd Sec./3rd State/AC
Tate Condezo 11th 44-6 1st Sec./3rd State/AC
Landon Marthaler 10th 36-8 3rd Section/AC
Tucker Fiene 11th 33-13 1st Section/AC
Drew Chandler 10th 27-19
Dawson DeCamp 9th 22-18 6th Section
Lukas Stelter 11th 21-21
Brayden Chandler 8th 19-22
Gavin Schaefer 10th 16-20
Collin Klenken 11th 11-22
Aidan Mattison 10th 13-13
A J Haas 10th 3-12
Graduates:
Keaton Waterius 23-15 4th Section
Caleb Witte10-23
QUAD COUNTY/RCW/YME/MACCRAY STING
Head Coach: Lucas Damm
Conference:
Overall:
The Sting will have back two section place winners and seven with a great deal of varsity experience. This will include seven with double figure wins, this should give them a pretty balanced lineup. Look for the Sting to improve on their overall dual marks and to possibly surprise someone in the conference. Their key leaders should include: Jacob Gavin (24-25), Austin Sweep (19-10), Nolan Hildahl (19-23), Hunter Rideler (17-18) and Jasen Jansen (15-15).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Jacob Gavig 9th24-25
Austin Sweep 12th 19-10 4th Section
Nolan Hildahl 12th 19-23
Hunter Ridler 12th 17-18
Jasen Jansen 11th 15-15 6th Section
Garrick Rujep 12th 14-25
Griffin Howard 10th 14-24
Bryan Rhode 9th 4-15
Blaine Carroll 8th 4-16
Graduate:
Javier Jackson 28-12 5th Section
WORTHINGTON TROJANS
Head Coach: Kirt Feit
Big South West Conference: 4-3
Overall: 13-11
The Trojans did defeat Redwood River Valley 39-37 in their first Section 3AA dual. They were defeated by Fairmont/Martin County West 56-15 in the quarter finals. They had six section place winners, one qualifier, one that earned a state medal. Back from the team they will have four section place winners, including four with twenty-three wins plus. Look for the Trojans to continue to make strides of improvement thru out the season. They should improve those dual meet marks from last season. Their key leaders should include: Alex Salvez (25-18), Dalton Larson (24-8), Ethan Meyer (24-10) and Oscar Salvez (23-15).
RETURNING. WRESTLERS:
Alex Salvez 10th 25-18 6th Section
Dalton Larson 9th24-8
Ethan Meyer 12th 24-10 3rd Section
Oscar Salvez 12th 23-15 4th Section
Chase Byrne 10th 14-16 6th Section
Mason Schutz 12th 7-19
Graduates:
Tanner Hennings 31-12 3rd Section
Cole Henning 41-5 1st Sec./4th State
Kevin Salvez-CHavez 9-15
WINDOM MOUNTAIN LAKE EAGLES
Head Coach: Nick Kulset
Big South West Conference: 1-6
Overall: 8-18
The Eagles were defeated in their Section 3AA dual by New Ulm 53-24. They did earn four sections place winners of which one was a state qualifier. Back from the team is one section place winner and seven with varsity experience. If the Eagles fill in with some junior varsity and they stay healthy they could challenge dual dual records from last season. Their key leaders should include: Preston Xayachak (22-11), Jared Hunter (18-19) and Noah Homberg (15-19).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Preston Xayachak 11th 22-11 4th Section
Jared Hunter 12th 18-19
Noah Holmberg 10th 15-19
Eagan Maras 9th 12-17
Montgomery Bjorklund 12th 11-20
Aiden Holmberg 9th 10-19
Cyrus Bjorklund 11th 5-23
Matthew Ekstrom 11th 3-22
Graduates:
Micah Homberg 35-14 2nd Section
Caden Swoboda 29-10 5th Section
Thavien Xayachake 17-16 4th Section
REDWOOD RIVER VALLEY CARDINALS
Head Coach: Paul Carlson
Big South West Conference: 3-4
Overall: 7-17
The Cardinals were defeated by Worthington 39-37 in their section 3AA dual. They had five section place winners, back from that team last season, including seven with double figure wins. They will also have back six others with varsity experience. Look for the Cardinals to challenge their dual meet marks from last season. The Cardinals young team should continue to improve thru out the course of the season. Their key leaders should include: Gavin Brandt (28-14), Lucas Fuhr (23-16), Austin Ourada (18-24), Jordan Matson (16-13), Lincoln Ourada (14-14) and Griffin Evans (13-22.
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Gavin Brandt 12th 28-14
Lucas Fuhr 8th 23-16
Austin Ourada 12th 18-24
Jordan Matson 10th 16-13
Lincoln Ourada 12th 14-14
Griffin Evans 10th 13-22
James Hennen 11th 10-18
Brock Lydick 11th 8-23
Garret Larsen 8th 3-8
Max Fuhr 11th 7-29
Alex Uhlenkamp 9th 3-10
Max Dillon 9th 3-4
Derek Anderson 9th 2-4
Max Bentson 8th 2-2
Graduates:
Matt Zeug 37-11 4th Section/91-57 Career
Austin Altman 9-19 5th Section
Maverick Goblirisch Injured/68-42 Career