With five state placewinners, 21 other state entrants and five state
ranked teams, there is little question that Saturday’s Wadena-Deer
Creek Wolverine Invitational is one of the toughest tournaments in the
state!
With the new section alignments, this year’s tournament will also go a
long way toward determining who will be the early season favorite in
Section 8AA. Perham enters the tournament ranked second, Thief River
Falls 9th, and last year’s surprise team Pequot Lakes/Pine River Backus
is Lean and Mean according to the Guillotine.
Perham returns state placewinners Sam Warne (5th last year at
112) and Mac Stoll (6th at 160). Along with these two fine wrestlers
the Jackets are led by state entrants; Jacob Werner (currently ranked
5th at 125), Joe Berns (10th at 130), Barry Nelsen (9th at 140), Dwight
Jenne (6th at 145), Nate Schmitz (not ranked), and Casey Sazama (3rd at
215). Additionally, Perham has added Isaac Werner from Aitkin who is
currently ranked 5th at 112. Andrew Gorentz rounds out Perham’s
outstanding lineup ranked 4th at 103. With this many outstanding
wrestlers, it is easy to see why the Jackets hope to exceed their
second place finish is Class AA last season.
The Prowlers of Thief River Falls are coming off their first state
tournament entry as a team last season. They also return plenty of
outstanding wrestlers. Steve Keogh finished the state tournament in
sixth place last season at 119. He is ranked 5th at 130. Kyle Leduc
(ranked 6th at 112), Jordan Engen (8th at 135), Kevin Fynboh (8th at
145), and Travis Peralta (4th at 171) round out Theif River Falls’
returning state entrants. Chaz Abrahamson is also ranked 7th at 103 for
the Prowlers.
Pequot Lakes/Pine River Backus came on very strong last year and nearly
upended Perham in the Section 7AA Finals. They return state entrants
Cody Schrupp (unranked), Nic Harrison (unranked), and Nathan Waslawskli
(ranked 5th at 140). Look for the Road Crew to also contend for
this year’s tournament title.
The always tough Greenbush-Middle River Badger Gators are ranked ninth
is Class A. The Gators are led by state placer Tanner Pierce (3rd
at 152 last year). Other returning state entrants and their rankings
are Storm Booe (unranked) and Eli Jensen (7th at 140). Also ranked for
the Gators are Cody Brazier (10th at 130), Aaron Brazier (7th at 135),
and Trevor Ingle (8th at 152).
Bertha Hewitt-Verndale returns 5 state entrants and is in the Lean and
Mean ranking for Class A. Ethan Kern placed 3rd at 112. Zak Lambert is
currently ranked 7th at 125 and is a former state placewinner. Jake
Braaten (9th at 145) Sam Moenkedick (ranked 5th at 152), and Matt
Moenkedick (5th at 160) also represented the Raiders at the state meet
last season. Wade Moenkedick is ranked 10th at 171 for BHV.
The home WDC Wolverines are led by 2 time state entrant Tony Wegscheid
who is currently unranked at 189. Trey VanOrsdel was a state entrant as
a sophomore and looks to return to the state meet this season. Matt
Hagen moved to WDC from New York Mills where he finished 20-5 last
season. Jordan Rentz returns at 112 after placing third in the section
at 103 last season.
Sauk Center returns sophomore state entrant John Gusewelle, while Long Prairie/Grey Eagle has Dan Schad ranked 9th at 152.
With quality wrestlers from top to bottom, it should be a great
tournament to start the year! Wrestling will start at 10:30 AM Saturday
at the Wadena Deer Creek High School Gymnasium.