MAT RATS SECTION 6AA PREVIEW 2022-2023
BY ROGER MISCHKE
FAVORITES: BECKER BULLDOGS and the BIG LAKE HORNETS
DARK HORSES: ANNANDALE/MAPLE LAKE LIGHTNING and the PRINCETON TIGERS
BECKER BULLDOGS
Head Coach: Travis Holt
Mississippi 8 Conference: 7-0
Overall: 20-1
The Bulldogs lost to Kasson-Mantorville 31-24 in the state quarterfinals, they defeated Thief River Falls 42-24 and Watertown-Mayer for Fifth place State honors. They did defeat Rocori 47-12, Dassel-Cokato/Litchfield 45-14 and for the Section 6AA championship honor they defeated Big Lake 45-21. They earned twelve section place winners, four state qualifiers and three earned state medals. Back from the team are nine section place winners, including two state qualifiers and two medal winners. This included nine with nineteen plus wins and four with varsity experience. Look for the Bulldogs to make a strong challenge to defend their section honors and looking for state honors again. they should make a strong challenge to defend their conference honors. They could challenge those very good dual meet marks from last season. The Bulldogs key leaders should include: Landen Kujawa (41-6), Kaden Nicolas (40-6), Adam Jurek (34-12), Tyson Ricker (33-13), Drew May (31-18), Dylan Weber (26-13) and Dylan Kolby (25-7).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Landen Kujawa 10th 41-6 1st Sec./4th State/AC
Kaden Nicolas 10th 40-6 2nd Sec./2nd State/AC
Adam Jurek 12th 34-12 3rd Section/AC
Tyson Ricker 12th 33-13 3rd Section/AC
Drew May 11th 31-18 5th Section
Dylan Weber 12th 26-13 3rd Section/AC
Dylan Kolby 12th 25-7 3rd Section/AC
Bennett Kujawa 8th 22-16 4th Section
Ethan Duncombe 12th 19-10 5th Section
Nolan Jurek 12th 11-12
Ryan Boecker 12th 10-12
Jake Rosenow 10th 6-4
Nolan Muellner 12th 5-14
Graduates:
Mason Doucette 44-9 1st Sec./State Champ./AC/98-47 Career
Bryce Kuschel 35-10 1st Section/AC/63-34 Career
Ethan Anderson 29-10 3rd Section/AC/124-38 Career
Ryan Nelson 6-19
Joe Goth 11-11
Isaac Regel 2-11
BIG LAKE HORNETS
Head Coach: Ryan Prom
Mississippi 8 Conference: 6-1
Overall: 25-2
The Hornets defeated Princeton in their section quarterfinals 58-12, Annandale/Maple Lake 56-22 in the semifinals and they were defeated by their neighbors Becker for section honors 45-21. They had elven section place winners, five state qualifiers and four state medal winners. Back from that team are seven section place winners, three state qualifiers and two state medal winner. They will have seven back with eighteen plus wins and six with experience. Look for the Hornets to make a very strong challenge for section honors and Conference honors. They could challenge those excellent dual meet marks from last season. The Hornets key leaders should include: Nolan Reiter 47-8), Johnathon Murphy (41-11), Kane Lapointe (29-18), Zach Smith (26-12), Ivan Lapointe (24-13) and Cash Stortz (21-9).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Nolan Reiter 12th 47-8 2nd Sec./5th State/AC
Johnathon Murphy 9th 41-11 1st Section/6th State/AC
Kane Lapointe 12th 29-18 4th Section
Zach Smith 11th 26-12
Ivan Lapointe 10th 24-13 5th Section
Cash Stortz 10th 21-9 4th Section
Carson Gellerman 10th 18-13 6th Section
Trajan Musseht 11th 14-6 6th Section
Beau McCrone 9th 13-15
Kole Werner 10th 9-2
Gauge Hoffman 11th 8-6
Landon Bogne 9th 5-9
Graduates:
Christian Noble 49-1 2nd Sec./State Champ/AC/181-8 Career
Cash Sixberry 43-4 1st Sec./5th State/AC/86-16 Career
Dillon Browen 38-14 1st Sec./6th State/AC/104-72 Career
Tyler Dehmer 36-15 4th Section/AC/103-48 Career
Brett Bordwell 18-4 AC
Peter Duncombe 19-20
Alex Harahan 13-12
Riley Mullen 11-16
Dante Visci 9-4
Luke Schumacher 5-3 Injured (47-25 Career)
ANNANDALE/MAPLE LAKE LIGHTNING
Head Coach: Ben Youngs
Wright County Conference: 9-0
Overall: 25-9
The Lightning defeated St. Francis in their quarterfinal section dual 51-16 and they were defeated in the semifinals by Big Lake 56-22. They had ten section place winners and two state qualifiers. Back from that team are seven section place winners and one state qualifier. This includes seven with twenty wins plus and five with experience. Look for the Lighting to make a challenge to defend their conference honors. If they spread out in their weights and stay healthy they should be a strong challenge in what should be a very balanced section dual meet campaign for a top four spot. They should challenge those very good dual meet marks from last season. The Lightning key leaders should include: Noah Gindele (38-6), Mitchell Koss (33-7), Riley Hall (30-10), Xavier Jones (28-12), Cole LaFave (22-11) and Carson Cooper (22-16).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Noah Gindele 12th 38-6 2nd Section
Mitchell Koss 12th 33-7 3rd Section
Riley Hall 12th 30-10 5th Section/AC
Xavier Jones 12th 28-12 5th Section/AC
Cole LaFave 11th 22-11 6th Section/AC
Carson Cooper 12th 22-16 6th Section
Casey Brumm 8th20-13
Nathan Klatt 8th 15-10
Nathan Zander 11th 8-12
Jack Nilson 11th 3-3
Nick Olson 10th 2-7
Graduates:
Zach Pribyl 31-7 2nd Section/AC/84-86 Career
Alex Klatt 21-18 6th Section/51-68 Career
James Meuwissen 14-27 5th Section
Jake Vassar 4-13
Brayden Peteson 2-6
PRINCETON TIGERS
Head Coach: TBA
Mississippi 8 Conference 4-3
Overall:
The Tigers were defeated in their section quarterfinals by Big Lake 58-12. They earned eight section place winners, three state qualifiers and one earned a state medal. Back are seven section place winners, two state qualifiers and one state medal winners. They will have four back with fourteen plus wins and twelve with experience. Look for the Tigers to make a challenge for one of the top four spots in this what should be a very balanced section dual meet campaign. The Tigers key leaders should include: Tyler Wells (47-0), Ethan Ballweber (40-6), Levi Thompson (29-16), Parker Adkins (28-12) and James Kohl (28-18).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Tyler Wells 12th 47-0 1st Sec./State Champ/AC
Ethan Ballweber 12th 40-6 1st Section/AC
Levi Thompson 10th 29-16 3rd Section/AC
Parker Adkins 12th 28-12 3rd Section
James Kohl 12th 28-18 6th Section
Will Schultz III 11th 21-13
Timothy Kohl 11th 20-18 5th Section
Riley Paetznick-Huhta12th20-14
Dalton Vanderbeek 11th 18-9
Ben Bathke 12th 15-2
Noah Vanderbeek 12th 19-18
Bryce Haubenschild 11th 17-21
Kevin Boeke 12th 16-20
Carter Othout 12th 20-4
Noah Ballweber 10th 15-14
Cameron Othout 11th 11-11
Robert Davidson 11th 10-14
Devon Bragg 10th 10-10
Graduates:
Kaden Olson 28-10 2nd Section/AC
Keith Ellingson 4-2
Zach Marshall 2-1
DASSEL COKATO LITCHFIELD
Co-Head Coaches: Bryan Clemen/Dan Buker
Wright County Conference: 6-3
Overall: 12-9
The Coop defeated Foley in their section quarterfinal dual 44-25 and they were defeated by Becker in the semifinals 45-14. They did earn nine section place winners, four state qualifiers and they had three state medal winners. Back from that team area four section place winners, two state qualifiers and one medal winner. They will have five others with a good deal of varsity experience. Look for the Coop to possibly move up in the conference and to improve on their dual numbers overall. They could make a challenge for a possible four spot in this very though section dual meet campaign. Their key leaders should include: Victor Franco (37-6), Tate Link (34-6), Gabe Nelson (29-18) and Shelby Fischer-Lund (20-12).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Victor Franco 12th 37-6 3rd Section/AC
Tate Link 12th 34-6 1st Sec./4th State/AC
Gabe Nelson 12th 29-18 3rd Section
Shelby Fischer-Lund12th20-12
Spencer Henke 10th 10-9 2nd Section
TJ Christensen 11th 9-9
Chase houseman 12th 5-17
Anton Cox 10th 4-23
Isaac Stead 11th 2-5
Graduates:
Jude Link 35-3 2nd Sec./State Champ/AC/188-35 Career
Hayden Hoememann 26-5 1st Sec./4th State/74-37 Career
Brendan Rokala 26-14 3rd Section/AC/55-35 Career
Sam Marx 26-12 5th Section/66-46 Career
Devin Steinhaus 23-11 4th Section/85-47 Career
Ivan Ramerz 6-7
Wyatt Decker 1-3
FOLEY FALCONS
Head Coach: Chris Ratke
Granite Ridge Conference: 5-1
Overall: 20-10
The Falcons were defeated in the section quarter final dual 44-25, they did earn eight section place winners, three state qualifiers and they had a state champion. Back from that team are five section place winners, including two state qualifiers. They will have back six with seventeen plus wins and another six with varsity experience. If the Falcons stay healthy and get spread out their weights they could make a challenge for conference honors. They could challenge those dual meet marks from last season. If they get good match ups and they continue to improve thru out the season, they should make a challenge for a top four spot in what should be a very balanced section dual meet campaign. The key leaders should include: Josiah Peterson (30-12), Alex Jennissen (29-11), Cyber Ruhoff (25-5) and Cole Rudnitscki (25-12).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Josiah Peterson 11th 30-12 6th Section/AC
Alex Jennissen 11th 29-11 5th Section
Cyber Ruhoff 11th 25-5 1st Section/AC
Cole Rudnitscki 12th 25-12 2nd Section/AC
Aiden Micholski 12th 17-14
Wyatt Wall 9th 17-13 6th Section/AC
Issac Milejczak 12th 10-16
Cayden Hansmeier 11th 13-29
Tyler Wilhelmi 10th 3-15
Trey Emmerich 11th 2-7
Graduates:
Elijah Novak 48-0 1st Sec./State Champ/AC/157-19 Career
Colton Rothfork 20-16 4th Section
Zach Jennissen 15-19 5th Section
ST. FRANCIS FIGHTING SAINTS
Head Coach: Kurt Werk
Mississippi 8 Conference: 4-3
Overall: 13-7
The Fighting Saints defeated Sauk Rapids-Rice in their section quarterfinal dual 68-8 and they were defeated by Annandale-Maple Lake in the section quarterfinals 51-16. They did earn eight section place winners, two state qualifiers and one state medal. Back from that team are five section place inners, one qualifier and a state medal winner. The Fighting Saints can make a challenge to move up in the conference and they should challenge last years dual meet marks. If they stay healthy and spread out in their weights, they could possibly could make a challenge for a top four stop in this very balanced section dual meet campaign. Their key leaders should include: Tyson Charmoli (41-3), Bo Flagstad (34-9), Tegan Sherk (28-5), Brayden Boots 22-15 and Brady Peltier (20-15).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Tyson Charmoli 11th 41-3 1st Sec./2nd State/AC
Bo Flagstad 12th 34-9 3rd Section/AC
Tegan Sherk 11th 28-5 Injured/AC
Brayden Boots 8th 22-15 4th Section
Brady Peltier 12th 20-15 4th Section
Logan Granroth 11th 15-17
Kyle Halstensen 12th 13-13
Easton Johnson 12th 12-26
James Englund 11th 9-10
Gunner Hostetter 10th 5-7 6th Section
Walter Guse 12th 5-16
Jacob Tilly 10th 4-13
Graduates:
Gavin Gould 37-12 2nd Section/AC/131-60 Career
Ken Hollenbeck 21-14 5th Section/AC/60-56 Career
Tom Green 17-13 4th Section/AC
ROCORI SPARTANS
Head Coach: Dustin Kramer
Central Lakes Conference: 5-2
Overall: 17-10
The Spartans defeated Monticello in their section quarterfinal dual 36-34 and they were defeated by Becker 47-12. They did earn seven section place winners, two state qualifiers and they had one state medal winner. Back from the team are five section place winners, one state qualifier and a state medal winner. They will have six with twenty wins plus and nine with others with varsity experience. Look for this young team to make strides on improvement thru out the season. They should challenge both their overall dual record and their their conference dual record. If the Spartans stay healthy and spread out in their weights they could possibly make a challenge for a top four spot in what should be a very balanced section dual meet campaign. Their key leader should include: Grady Minnerath (35-13), Evan Moscho (32-10), Mason Orth (30-9), Mathew Goebel (29-13), Jack Major (24-17) and Kameron Moscho (23-11).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Grady Minnerath 11th 35-13 1st Sec./6th State/AC
Evan Moscho 11th 32-10 3rd Section/AC
Mason Orth 11th 30-9 4th Section/AC
Mathew Goebel 12th 29-13 6th Section
Jack Major 11th 24-17 AC
Kameron Moscho 9th 23-11 6th Section/AC
Rennet Haven 8th 10-8
Nathan Goldner 11th 9-7
Aaron Baisley 10th 8-19
Blayne Walsh 11th 5-11
Zac Humbert 8th 3-1
Grady Brown 8th 2-5
Anthony Brown 10th 2-4
Anthony Rodriquez 10th 2-5
Graduates:
Austin Moscho 43-7 2nd Section/AC/188-63 Career
Luke Hemmesch 16-13 6th Section/70-79 Career
Ryan Rose 25-21 AC
MONTICELLO MAGIC
Head Coach: Jason Thompson
Mississippi 8 Conference: 2-5
Overall: 5-7
The Magic were defeated in their first section dual by Rocori 36-34. They did earn four section place winners, including one state qualifier. They will have back one section place winner, five with double figure wins. Look for this very young team to challenge their dual meet marks in both the conference and overall. If they stay healthy and can fill in with some of their junior varsity wrestlers. Their key leaders leaders should include: Wyatt Witschen (20-13), Griffin Fieldseth (17-12), Mason Bauer (13-18), Bo Beucler (11-13) and Ben Bauer (10-2).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Wyatt Witschen 12th 20-13
Griffin Fieldseth 12th 17-12
Mason Bauer 12th 13-18
Bo Beucler 12th 11-13
Ben Bauer 11th 10-20 5th Section
Anthony Perez 10th 8-15
Mason Smith 12th 6-15
Mason Brown 11th 6-19
Caleb Kalnbach 10th 3-21
Graduates:
Nelson Anderson 29-5 4th Section/AC/108-16 Career
Quinn McCalla 23-12 4th Section/117-93 Career
Alex Fearing 22-14 2nd Section/76-73 Career
SAUK RAPIDS-RICE STORM
Head Coach: Derik Gilbertson
Central Lakes Conference: 0-5
Overall: 4-14
The Storm were defeated by St. Francis in their section dual 68-8, they had three section place winners and one state qualifier. They will have back one section place winner and four with experience. Look for the Storm to fill with junior varsity, if they stay healthy they could improve in both their conference and and overall duals. The Storm key leaders should be Vance Bartz and Kieran Hixon (9-23).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Vance Bartz 11th 32-2 3rd Section/AC
Kieran Hixson 12th 9-23
Ethan Anderson 12th 4-13
Cohen Mathies 12th 4-9
Carter Pesta 8th 6-13
Cameron Smith 10th 3-7
Graduates:
Cole Ackerman 14-14 2nd Section/81-53 Career/Injured
Brayden Ness 22-21 5th Section/37-47 Career
Logan Gilbertson 11-15
ZIMMERMAN THUNDER
Head Coach: Patrick Burch
Granite Ridge Conference: 0-6
Overall: 2-19
The Thunder will have two back with varsity experience, if they can fill in with some of their young junior varsity they could possibly surprise a couple of their foes thru out the campaign. They could improve on both their conference and overall dual marks. Beau Dipprey (12-18) and Brooks Howard (6-220 should be their key leaders.
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Beau Dipprey 11th 12-18/AC
Brooks Howard 12th 6-22
Graduates:
Joe Gardas 36-3 1st Section/AC/178-42 Career
Aiden Pardino 27-9 5th Section/AC/103-42 Career
Jon Weiser 21-13 4th Section
Kellen Martin 9-25
SPECTRUM STING
Head Coach: Justin Werk
Tri-Metro Conference: 3-4
Overall: 8-15
The Sting went 8-15 overall in duals and 3-4 in the Metro Conference. They will have back one section place winner and two all conference and nine with a great deal of experience. Look for the Sting to continue to make strides of improvement. If they stay healthy they should challenge their conference dual marks and they could possibly challenge their overall dual record. The Sting’s key leaders should include: Addan Schmidt (28-11), Jesse Farrell (26-16), Shayson Hepfl (13-4) and Michael Melotik (13-12).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Addan Schmidt 11th 28-11 6th Section/AC
Jesse Farrell 11th 26-16 AC
Shayson Hepfl 11th 13-4
Michael Melotik 11th 13-12 AC
Jayse Norling 12th 12-12
Henry Christopherson 11th 8-15
Nate Jorgenson 10th 8-15
Zach Sholer 11th 4-14
Cooper Reenits 8th 4-7
Ethan Schmidt 11th 3-4
Aiden Sund 8th 4-2
Graduates:
Tyler Murset 15-19
Tim Erickson 17-16