MAT RATS SECTION 8AAA PREVIEW 2022-2023
By Roger Mischke
FAVORITES: BEMIDJI LUMBERJACKS and the WILLMAR CARDINALS
DARK HORSES: ST. CLOUD CRUSH and the BRAINERD WARRIORS
BEMIDJI LUMBERJACKS
Head Coach: Rance Bahr
Overall Duals: 33-3
The Lumberjacks defeated Little Falls 55-0 and Moorhead 83-0, before being defeated for the section honors by Willmar 29-25. They did earn fourteen section place winners, including six state qualifiers and two state medal winners. They will have eleven section place winners, five state qualifiers and two state medalists. They will have nine back with twenty wins plus three with a great deal of varsity experience. Look for the Lumberjacks to challenge those excellent dual meet marks from last season. They should continue to make strides of improvement thru out the season. Look for the Lumberjacks to make a strong challenge for section honors and possibly for state honors. Look for a very balanced section dual meet campaign. Their key leaders should include: Seth Newby (37-6), Dane Jorgensen (34-7), Gabe Morin (32-7), Spencer Ness (30-20), Nick Stran (28-10), Gavin Osborn (27-14), Brody Castoguay (26-10), Hunter Heins (23-8), Coy Olsen (23-9) and Garrick Nelson (20-4).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Seth Newby 12th 37-6 1st Sec./6th State
Dane Jorgensen 12th 34-7 1st Sec./5th State
Gabe Morin 9th 32-7 4th Section
Spencer Ness 11th 30-20 3rd Sec. 8A/Transfer CRK
Nick Strand 9th 28-10 1st Section
Gavin Osborn 10th 27-14 2nd Section
Brody Castoguay11th26-10
Hunter Heim 12th 23-8 4th Section
Coy Olsen 12th 23-9 4th Section
Garrick Nelson 12th 20-4 2nd Section
Alec Newby 10th 19-17 3rd Section
Ricky Wuori 11th 12-10
Rylee Royball 12th 11-5
Jarrett Page 11th 7-14 5th Section
Graduates:
Nate Schwinghamer 42-2 1st Section/66-21 Career
Thade Osborn 32-6 3rd Section/95-37 Career
Dylan Headbird 26-11 3rd Section/30-12 Career
Logan Willard 24-14 4th Secton/36-42 Career
Jared Frenzel Injured (34-16 Career)
WILLMAR CARDINALS
Head Coach: Ed Oehlers
Central Lakes Conference: 7-0
Overall Duals: 26-9
The Cardinals lost to Northfield 35-34 and Stillwater 43-26 in their state tournament duals. They defeated Buffalo 51-15, St. Cloud Crush 47-21 and Bemidji for Section 8AAA honors 29-25. They earned ten section place winners, six state qualifiers and two state medals winners. Back from that team are seven section place winners, four state qualifiers, including two state medalists. They will have five with thirty-five wins plus back ten with a great deal of varsity experience. Look for this young team to make big strides of improvement thru the course of the season. They should challenge last years dual meet marks and make a strong challenge to defend their conference honors. The Cardinals should make a strong challenge to defend their section duals honors. Section 8AAA may have two of higher ranked teams in the state. The Cardinals key leaders should include: Conlan Carlson (53-2), Cavin Carlson (45-8), Braeden Erickson (43-9), Sully Anez (38-10), Ivan Mares (35-15), Steven Cruze (19-11) and Romero Trevino (19-13).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Conlan Carlson 10th 53-2 1st Sec./2nd State/AC
Cavin Carlson 9th 45-8 2nd Section/AC
Braeden Erickson 12th 43-9 4th Section/AC
Sully Anez 10th 38-10 1st Sec./6th State/AC
Ivan Mares 11th 35-15 2nd Section/AC
Steven Cruze 10th 19-11
Romero Trevino11th19-13AC
Daunte Eastellano11th15-18
Eli Heinen 10th 15-18
Isaac Zelaya-Velsquez 11th 10-6
Cameron Champayne 9th 11-16
Francisco Celis Victoria 11th 11-6
Finley Donelan 10th 11-13
Wyatt Schwartz 10th 7-11
Marco Sanchez 11th 8-9 4th Section
Will Chavez 11th 5-9
Eric Garcia 12th 4-14 6th Section
Wyatt Cruze 8th 4-4
Graduates:
Mason Swanson 46-9 2nd Section/5th State/AC/93-35 Career
Jonas Anez 43-9 2nd Section/5th State/AC/125-49 Career
Joe Kallevig 25-18 3rd Section
Jorge Zelaya-Velasque 11-15
Lonnie Sanchez 6-8
Jacob Leiva 2-7
Blake Lara 2-6
ST. CLOUD CRUSH
Head Coach: Co-Head Coaches: Robert Boeck/Aaron Fredrickson
Central Lakes Conference: 6-1
Overall Duals: 21-4
The Crush defeated Brainerd 42-26 and they were defeated by Willmar 47-21 in their Section 8AAA duals. They did earn twelve section place winners, four state qualifiers and one state medal winner. Back from that team are ten section place winners, three state qualifiers and one state medalist. They will have nine with twenty wins plus and five with varsity experience. Look for this young team to continue to make strides of improvement. If they spread out in their weights and stay healthy they should challenge their good dual meet marks from last season. With the right match ups they should make a strong challenge for conference honors. The Crush should make a strong challenge for a top four spot in this balanced section 8AAA dual meet campaign. The Crush key leaders should include: Jaxon Kenning (42-3), Tucker Hugg (38-9), Sutton Kenning (36-11), Koda Nelson (27-13), Jack Hama (27-20), Aiden Orth (22-21), Sam Long (22-21), Tanner Hugg (21-23) and Noah Newman (20-18).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Jaxon Kenning 11th 42-3 1st Section/AC
Tucker Hugg 12th 38-9 2nd Sec./5th State/AC
Sutton Kenning 9th 36-11 2nd Section/AC
Koda Nelson 12th 27-13 4th Section
Jack Hamak 9th 27-20 4th Section
Aidan Orth 12th 22-21 6th Section
Sam Long 11th 22-21 5th Section
Tanner Hugg 9th 21-23 5th Section
Noah Newman 9th 20-18 3rd Section
Logan Lunceford 11th 9-13
Grady Doering 9th 7-8
Martin Bird 12th 6-15
Jesus Ruiz 11th 5-6
Ethan Brott 8th 3-12
Graduates:
Cody Brott 32-9 1st Section/AC/54-43 Career
Andy Johnson 19-10 Injured/AC/61-68 Career
Patrick Njoya 13-21 4th Section
Nick Hamak 3-2
Kennth Le 2-0
Simon Powtungnitgni 1-2
BRAINERD WARRIORS
Head Coach: Mikkel White
Central Lakes Conference: 4-3
Overall Duals: 14-14
The Warriors were defeated by St. Cloud Crush 42-26 in their Section 8AAA dual. They did earn eight section place winners, four state qualifiers and one state medal. Back from that team are six section place winners, two state qualifiers, of which one earned a state medal. They have seven with seventeen plus wins back along with nine with a great deal of varsity experience. The Warriors will be young but yet they will have a great deal of experience. Look for them to improve on the dual meet marks from last season. They should move up in the conference standings. The Warriors should challenge for a top four spot in what looks like a pretty balanced section dual meet campaign. Their key leaders should include: Easton Dircks (48-3), Isaiah Jillson (37-11), Isaiah Germann (36-12), Cade Ostrowksi (29-17), Damien Bentho (24-15) and Shane Carlson (24-18).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Easton Dircks 9th 48-3 1st Sec./4th State/AC
Isaiah Jillson 12th 37-11 3rd Section/AC
Isaiah Germann 12th 36-12 3rd Section/AC
Cade Ostrowski 11th 29-17
Damien Bentho 12th 24-15 2nd Section
Shane Carlson 10th 24-18 6th Section
Titus Thompson 11th 17-9
Lucas Lind 9th 17-23 6th Section
Elijah Germann11th12-26
Cole Ostrowski 9th 10-8
Hunter Bergin 11th 9-29
Titus Thompson 11th 6-4
Carson Faehnrich 10th 3-23
Landon Elling 8th 2-10
Jaxon DeRosier 10th 2-9
Graduates:
Gabe Wagner 46-5 1st Sec./3rd State/AC/141-36 Career
Dalton Barrett 42-5 1st Sec./6th State/AC/51-8 Career
LITTLE FALLS FLYERS
Head Coach: Simon Waltman
Granite Ridge Conference: 3-3
Overall Duals: 14-13
The Flyers defeated Sartell 45-28 and they were defeated by Bemidji 55-9 in their Section 8AAA duals. They did earn eleven section place winners, including one state qualifier. Back from that team are nine section place winners, including six with twenty-three plus wins and three with a good deal of varsity experience. The Flyers should challenge last years dual meet marks and possibly move up in the conference. Look for the Flyers to make a strong challenge for a top four spot in what should be a pretty balanced Section 8AAA dual meet campaign. Their key leaders should include: Noah Cameron (31-7), Ryan Kloecki (26-16), Beau Robinson (23-15), Hank LeClair (23-17), Ivan Petrich (23-9), Kobi Cameron (22-9 and Joey Wilczek (15-8).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Noah Cameron 9th 31-7 3rd Section/AC
Ryan Kloecki 12th 26-16 3rd Section
Beau Robinson 10th 23-15 3rd Section
Hank LeClair 11th 23-17 4th Section/AC
Ivan Petrich 9th 23-9 5th Section/AC
Kobi Cameron 9th 22-9 4th Section
Joey Wilczek 11th 15-8 4th Section
Cassidy Okerman 10th 13-20
Jack Schmidt 11th 11-16 5th Section
Alexander Schmitz 11th 11-22
Dominic Scepurek 11th 7-20 6th Section
Sam Primus 12th 2-7
Graduates:
Austin Litke 38-8 1st Section/AC
Eli VanRissghen 28-11 5th Section/AC
BUFFALO BISON
Head Coach: Jeff Granrud
Lake Conference: 4-2
Overall Duals: 7-11
The Bison were defeated by Willmar 61-15 in their Section 8AAA dual, they did earn nine section place winners, three state qualifiers and two state medals. Back from that team are five section place winners, including one state qualifier. They will have nine back with double figure wins and others with varsity experience. They should challenge those dual marks from last season and look for them to challenge those conference dual marks. Their key leaders should include: Mathew Carlson (23-19), Hunter Spike (18-11), Jacobee Scherber (17-12), Jonah Anderson (14-15) and Carter Walker (13-10).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Mathew Carlson 11th 23-19 2nd Section
Hunter Spike 12th 18-11 3rd Section
Jacobee Scherber 12th 17-12
Jonah Anderson 12th 14-15 6th Section
Carter Walker 12th 13-10 6th Section
Gabe Roehl 8th 13-13 6th Section
Riggs Tuchtenhagen 12th 13-5
Aiden Herbst 9th 11-20
Jacob Cremers 12th 11-22
Tyson Dvorak 10th 4-5
Aaron Radtke 10th 3-6
Mathew Scherber 12th 2-4
Josh Schmidt 11th 2-6
Graduates:
Owen Herbst 36-5 1st Sec./6th State/AC/154-40 Career
Macray Klohs 32-6 1st Sec./5th State/AC/64-40- Career
Brennan Halderson 23-11 3rd Section/45-51 Career
Cody Grant 10-21 6th Section
Cole Madsen 6-4
Brandon Vecker 3-4
SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN SABRES
Head Coach: Cody Olson
Central Lakes Conference: 4-3
Overall Duals: 9-11
The Sabres were defeated by Little Falls 45-28 in their Section 8AAA dual, they will have back four section place winner and a dozen with varsity experience. Look for this young team to make strides of improvement thru the course of the season. They could challenge their dual marks from last season and possibly their conference dual marks. Their key leaders should include: Kaden Brooks (23-15), Alexander Hendrickson (15-24), Donovan Lund (10-19), Julian Morris (12-22), Tucker Mugg (10-28) and Zachary Anderson (9-22).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Kaden Brooks 12th 23-15 5th Section/AC
Alexander Hendrickson 9th 15-24 5th Section
Donovan Lund 12th 10-19 4th Section
Julian Morris 8th12-22
Tucker Mugg 12th 10-28
Zachary Anderson 11th 9-22 5th Section
Aidan Halvorson 11th 6-10
Jack Hendrickson 8th 8-5
Max Carlson 10th 6-2
Michael Hamak 9th 6-3
Isaac Nelson 10th 7-11
Ayden Frauenholtz 11th 7-4
Julian Morris 8th 5-21
Jack Pesta 11th 2-8
Thoe Brown 12th 2-7
Jeremiah Miller 8th 3-4
Graduates:
Dylan Enriquez 35-10 2nd Sec./4th State/AC/119-32 Career
Spencer Johnson 40-8 2nd Section/AC/103-23 Career
Will Budge 27-7 3rd Section/AC/54-29 Career
Austin Lipinski 26-7 2nd Section/95-54 Career
Dutch Norby 19-15 5th Section/AC/60-38 Career
Jason Hager 9-8
Ryan Joyce 5-14 6th Section
Callen O’Cannel 6-8
Ben Karasch 5-18 6th Section
Kade Hendrickson 3-2
Larkin Lang 3-21
MOORHEAD SPUDS
Head Coach: Gerod Fugleberg
Overall Duals:
The Spuds will have back eight section place winners, five with double figure wins and a pair with varsity experience. Look for this young team to continue to improve over the course of the season. Their key leaders should include: Michael Jenkins (19-10), Zach Frankhanel (14-7), David Krabbenhoft (13-13), Moyad Abdi (12-12) and Lee Ellingberg (12-15).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Michael Jenkins 10th 19-10 3rd Section
Zach Frankhanel 11th 14-7 5th Section
David Krabbenhoft 11th 13-13 5th Section
Moyad Abdi 11th 12-12 5th Section
Lee Ellingberg 11th 12-15 5th Section
Dalton Humeniuk 8th 8-8 6th Section
Theron Citrowski 10th 8-14 6th Section
Will Borud 10th 6-9
Azhar Salih 8th 2-7 6th Section
Dreaded Prosby 11th 3-13
Graduates:
Zion Dyer 14-11 4th Section
Evan Frankhanel 9-7 2nd Section
Ian Mohler 2-15
Abraham Dimo 3-12