CLASS AA PREVIEW
By Roger Mischke
MAT RATS PREVIEW (2023-2024)
SECTION 8AA
FAVORITES: PEQUOT LAKES/PINE RIVER-BACKUS ROAD CREW and the THIEF RIVER FALLS PROWLERS
DARK HORSES: PERHAM YELLOW JACKETS and the MINNEWASKA AREA LAKERS
PEQUOT LAKES/PINE RIVER-BACKUS ROAD CREW
Head Coach: Travis Hoffarth
Mid-State Conferenced: 5-0
Overall Duals: 31-3/Section 8AA Champions/6th State AA
The Road Crew will have back seven section place winners, including a pair of state qualifiers and nine with a great deal of experience. They did graduate five seniors last spring including three state qualifiers. They will return eight with twenty-one wins plus. Look for the Road Crew to make a strong challenge to defend their section, conference and possibly state honors. The Road Crew will get some very strong challenges from their section 7AA foes. Look for three our four of these teams to possibly be included in the state ratings.
Returning Wrestlers:
Parker Zutter 10th 46-2 1st Sec./AC
Riley Peters 12th 41-12 2nd Sec.
Chance Abraham 12th 38-5 3rd Sec./AC
Brady Ruhl 12th 31-17 5th Sec.
Earl Stockman 11th 28-11 5th Sec.
Trevor Holmberg 9th 27-18 3rd Sec.
Sean Kitzpatrick12th25-18
Payton Scott 12th 21-16 6th Sec./AC
Tayten Mick12th18-13(Injured)
James Cummings 12th 16-17
Owen Dabill 10th 11-12
Shaunn Reyes 9th 7-6
Paxton Goddard 12th 4-12
Kamrin Hulke 11th 3-9
Bryce Mick 9th 2-2
Joe Lendway 9th 1-1
Graduates:
Corbin Knapp 42-5 1st Sec./AC (154-55 Career)
Easton Miller 42-4 1st Sec./AC (98-36 Career)
Trey Tuchtenhagen 36-8 2nd Sec./AC (86-37 Career)
Grant Thompson 13-14 (45-50 Career)
Caleb Swenson 10-20
THIEF RIVER FALLS PROWLERS
Head Coach: Kenny Geiser
North Star Conference: 4-0
Overall Duals 19-6
The Prowlers will have back six section place winners, including one state qualifier returning. They will have seven others with a great deal of experience. They did graduate five seniors last spring, including four section place winners, of which two were state qualifiers. They will have back nine with twenty-one wins plus, so look for this experienced young team to make steady improvements thru out the season. They should challenge their dual meet numbers from last season. Look for the Prowlers to make a strong challenge for section 7A dual honors in a section dual meet campaign that should be very competitive.
Returning Wrestlers:
Griffin Lundeen 12th 49-0 1st Sec./State Champ./AC
Ethan Lane 12th 32-11 5th Sec./AC
Noah Jacobson11th30-17
Keigan Hermanson 10th 28-22 5th Sec.
Nick Svir 12th 24-17 3rd Sec./AC
Landen Larson 9th 23-17 4th Sec.
Damien Kazierczak 9th 22-25
Riley Poissant 12th 21-27 5th Sec.
Ian Jacobson 8th 21-17
Maverick Iverson11th14-23
Lincoln Davis 9th 7-4
Brennen Johnson 11th 7-7
Kehan Nelson 12th 6-10
Owen Dvorak 9th 4-10
Graduates:
Kale Geiser 43-8 1st Sec. (177-55 Career)
Damon Ferguson 42-7 2nd Sec. (143-46 Career)
Carter Engebretson 41-9 3rd Sec. (79-29 Career
Jackson Ingram 30-16 4th Sec. (43-32 Career)
Josh Herrera 3-3
PERHAM YELLOWJACKETS
Head Coach: David Vetsch
Heart of Lakes Conference
Overall Duals:
The Yellowjackets will have nine section place winners back, including four state qualifiers. They will return three others with experience, so with the graduation of just two seniors, including a state qualifier, they should look forward to a very good season. They will have back six with twenty-two wins plus, so the Yellowjackets should challenge for a top four spot in what should be a very competitive section.
Returning Wrestlers:
Chandler Mickelson 12th 30-11 1st Sec./AC
Braylon Roch 12th 29-7 1st Sec./AC
Hudson Hacket 11th 29-6 2nd Sec./AC
Carson Byer 12th 26-12 3rd Sec./AC
Tiegen Detloff 9th 24-10 3rd Sec.
Jaxon Vetsch 12th 23-17 AC
Isaac Adams 9th 22-11 2nd Sec.
Dresden Wegscheid 10th 19-17 4th Sec.
Logan Guck10th15-20
Johnny Ramos 10th 14-13 3rd Sec.
Trystan Larson 10th 14-17 6th Sec.
Chevy Harron 9th 3-14
Graduates:
Rory Lindquist 20-14 2nd Sec.
Kaden Feldt 15-20 6th Sec.
MINNEWASKSA AREA LAKERS
Head Coach: Chip Rankin
West Central Conference: 3-2
Overall Duals: 16-8
The Lakers will have eight section place winners back, including two state qualifiers, of which one was a state medal winner. They did graduate three seniors last spring, including a pair of section place winners. They will have seven back with eighteen plus wins, so look for the Lakers to challenge those dual meet marks. They should make a challenge for a top four spot for team honors with this very experience crew returning.
Returning Wrestlers:
Miles Wildman 9th 40-4 1st Sec./5th State/AC
Chase Smith 11th 36-6 2nd Sec./AC
Myles Reichmann 12th 26-13 3rd Sec.
Noah Jensen 11th 25-15 4th Sec.
Mason Schiffler 12th 18-9 5th Sec.
Nathan Dell 12th 18-16 5th Sec.
Jace Kovarik 12th 17-15 4th Sec.
Evan Friese 10th 12-6 (Transfer Quad County)
Isaiah Rosario 8th 9-8 5th Sec.
Alex Adams 8th 3-2
Jude Bailey 8th 3-6
Garrett Jungclaws 11th 2-18
Braylen Scharmer 10th 2-4
Eric Bowen 10th 3-1
Zayden Johnson 8th 1-1
Graduates:
Nick Ankeny 36-4 3rd Sec. (111-45 Career)
Chase Boelke 28-12 3rd Sec. (63-49 Career)
Xander Johnson 20-15 (32-27 Career)
DETROIT LAKES LAKERS
Head Coach: Taylor Nein
Mid-State Conference:
Overall Duals: 8-12
The Lakers will have back one section place winner and twelve with experience. They did graduate ten seniors last spring, including six section place winners, including four state qualifiers, of which earned three state medals. Overall the Lakers have a very young team that will be returning. If they stay healthy and spread out in their weights, they should challenge those dual marks from last season. They could possibly make a challenge for a top four spot in this balance section dual meet campaign.
Returning Wrestlers:
Brock Swiers 12th 20-17 3rd Sec.
Izaiah Vargas 11th 16-15
Talan Baker 9th 15-16
Beau Somdahl 10th 13-10
Jeremy Linn 9th 13-21
Donavan Zima 8th 9-26
Sawyer Stroeing 10th 7-19
Avery Nordby 9th 7-6
Brock Bouchie 10th 6-14
Everett Northup 11th 6-7
Tynan Simpson 12th 5-23
Cody Andreson 11th 3-12
Graduates:
Tyson Ullyott 41-7 2nd Sec./5th State/AC (135-37 Career)
Cade Jackson 34-8 1st. Sec.//3rd State/AC (196-68 Career)
Jeffery Moen 42-4 1st Sec./5th State/AC (88-23 Career)
Cade Okeson 34-8 1st Sec./AC (132-39 Career)
Leroy LaCrosse23-19
Zachary Carlson 18-21 4th Sec.
Colby Ortloff 13-23 4th Sec.
Henry Lee 5-2
Carlan Mastin 2-6
ALEXANDRIA CARDINALS
Head Coach: Alden Struchen
Central Lakes Conference: 5-2
Overall Duals: 24-11
The Cardinals will have back four section place winner back, including two state qualifiers. They will have eleven with experience that will also be returning. They did graduate eight seniors last spring, including four section place winners, of which one earned a state medal. With the number of those that graduated, the Cardinals if they stay healthy could challenge those dual marks from last season. Look for steady improvement thru out the season.
Returning Wrestlers:
Nolan Fittig 10th 44-4 2nd Sec./AC
Mason Mcgrane 12th 32-6 2nd Sec./AC
Luke Maanum 11th 21-15 5th Sec.
Gavin Engelbrecht 12th 14-23
Landon Roths 12th 11-14
Jacob Loween 10th 11-19
Pablo Garcia 12th 10-10
Logan Timm 10th 10-10
Jackson Saffert 11th 6-10
Zach Richards 11th 7-19
Karl Franson 12th 6-8
Ty Larson 9th 6-8
Dylan Gray 11th 5-9
Zach Brezina 10th 4-8
Romiro Villanueva 11th 2-1
Isaac Seward 10th 2-0
Mason Evjen 11th 1-5
Grayson Timm 11th 1-4
Graduates:
Blaze Nelson 37-9 1st Sec./6th State (148-47 Career)
Kelly Johnson 36-7 3rd Sec./AC (144-62 Career)
Landon Seward 33-14 3rd Sec. (56-42 Career)
Cody Vatnsdal17-96th Sec./Injured
Isaac Saffert 9-18
Jordan Mickelson 10-20
Landon Arvidson 5-7
Caleb Laurent 1-2
DILWORTH-GLYNDON-FELTON REBELS
Head Coach: Davis Kosen
Heart of Lakes Conference:
Overall Duals:
The Rebels will have seven section place winners back, including two state qualifiers. They did graduate two seniors last spring, they do have thee back with experience. They will have five back with twenty plus wins, look for the Rebels if they stay healthy and spread out in their weights to be a challenge for most teams that they might face.
Returning Wrestlers:
Jacob Luebke 10th 39-8 1st Sec./6th State
Roy Rude 11th 32-13 2nd Sec.
Austin Lenhart 11th 31-13 5th Sec.
Kayleb Kosen 10th 23-16 5th Sec.
Alex Anderson 11th 20-20 4th Sec.
Thomas Thureen 12th 18-21 5th Sec.
Joey Arends 12th 18-25
Camden Mustachia 12th 19-23
Sam Schmitz 10th 15-24 6th Sec.
Cole Julin 10th 11-14
Graduates:
Bryce Fischer 32-8 1st Sec.
Gabe Schmitz 22-23
PARK RAPIDS PANTHERS
Head Coach: Matt Clark
Mid-State Conference: 1-4
Overall Duals: 10-14
The Panthers will have back three section place winners, including one state qualifier and nine with experience. The Panthers did graduate two state qualifiers last spring, look for the Panthers to improve on their dual meet marks from last season. If they stay healthy they should have a successful season.
Returning Wrestlers:
Wrigley Clark 10th 26-6 3rd Sec.
Dandre Johnson 11th 26-9 5th Sec.
Aiden Maanum 11th 22-13 2nd. Sec.
Henry Thorson 12th 20-12
Jarrett Galzki 11th 10-14
Castle London 11th 7-20
Corbin Schiller 10th 7-12
Andrew Johanning 10th 6-17
Cooper Darchuk 9th 4-11
Heath Safratowich 10th 3-7
Charle Johnson 8th 3-0
Pete Carroll 11th 2-9
FERGUS FALLS OTTERS
Head Coach; Adam Schlepp
Central Lakes Conference: 2-7
Overall Duals: 4-19
The Otters will have two section place winners back along with five with experience. They did graduate three seniors last spring, but look for this team to challenge those dual meet marks from last season. The Otters if they spread in their weights could surprise some teams thur out the season.
Returning Wrestlers:
Caleb Fronning 9th 36-11 3rd Sec.
Sebastian Holding Eagle 12th 27-11 3rd Sec.
Blake Roberts 10th 22-24
Kassten Hartwell 11th 17-6 (Injured)
Delvin Roberts 10th 18-19
Noah Field 9th 10-10
Carson Grenier 11th 6-27
William Baez 12th 5-22
Jack Brunn 8th 5-30
Paulo Carrillo 10th 5-22
Kenneth Vogel 10th 2-7
Max Brunn 10th 2-4
Evan Mohagen 9th 2-25
Graduates:
Jacob Widness 27-11 4th Sec. (91-81 Career)
Lance Joe Graff 20-23 6th Sec. (41-81 Career)
Delvin Roberts 17-18 6th Sec. (79-106 Career)
LAKE PARK/AUDUBON BADGERS
Head Coach: Matt Nelson
Heart of Lakes Conference: 1-3
Overall Duals: 3-14
The Badgers will have back three section place winners back and seven with a great deal of experience. They did graduate two seniors, including one section place winner. They should improve on those dual meet marks from last season. Look for one of the most successful teams in a few years from the Badgers.
Returning Wrestlers:
Kody Johnson 11th 25-14 6th Sec./AC
Ryan Francis 10th 24-13 4th Sec.
Jackson Mikkelson 12th 22-17 6th Sec.
Tyler Geray 12th 14-8
Grady Hines 11th 11-21
Oliver Mikkelson 11th 6-8
Tristan Strom 10th 4-9
Braeden Lessard 10th 4-15
Marshall Kratzke 10th 3-12
Alex Paulson 12th 1-9
Graduates:
Taylor Johnson 23-4 4th Sec./AC
Zeke Noel 11-3
MELROSE/SAUK CENTRE DEFENDERS
Head Coach: Vaughn Glasener
West Central Conference: 2-4
Overall Duals: 7-12
The Defenders will have back five section place winners, including one state qualifier and five with experience. They did graduate two section place winners last spring. Look for this young team to possibly challenge those dual marks from last season. They have four very talented individuals, if they spread out in the weights, they could surprise some of their foes thru out the season.
Returning Wrestlers:
Jose De-Los Santos 12th 27-11 2nd Sec./AC
Dominic Kerzman 11th 32-12 4th Sec./AC
Noah Christen 10th 28-18 5th Sec.
Isaac Frericks 11th 23-24 6th Sec.
Jon Lara 10th 8-15 5th Sec.
Teddy Wiechmann 9th 7-6
Tyaus Meyer 8th 6-8
Ben Fredrichs 9th 5-19
Cesar Avalos 12th 3-18
Dan Fredricks 11th 1-10
Graduates:
Will Sjogren 30-11 3rd Sec.
Mitchell Christen 29-17 4th Sec.
ROSEAU RAMS
Head Coach: Jim Mack
North Star Conference: 1-3
Overall Duals: 3-8
The Rams will have back one section place winner, he was a state qualifier and there are thirteen with a wide range of varsity experience. They didn’t have anyone graduate last spring, They Rams should surely make a challenge to improve on their dual marks from last season. They should be very competitive a most of their duals.
Returning Wrestlers:
Seth Cossentine 8th 36-15 2nd Sec./AC
Owen Cummings 9th 17-16
Avery Eidsmoe 10th 10-14
Danny Nelson 9th 10-10
Baron Muirhead 8th 8-12
Damian Skibicki 8th 8-10
Chris Barlow 8th 7-11
Tristan Carrizales 9th 7-17
Mike Fergesson 12th 6-12
Toby Bryan 8th 4-8
Keane Johnson 8th 2-13
Peyton Wold 10th 2-7
Brady Olson 8th 2-5
Bryson Wold 8th 1-8