Thursday, March 28, 2024
Photo by Tammy Kennedy Kasson-Mantorville Freshman Broc Vaughan (106) won his first Section 1AA title and a spot at the Minnesota State High School Individual Wrestling Tournament. Eight KoMet wrestlers will compete in the individual tournament and the entire team will be competing in the team tournament.Photo by Tammy Kennedy Kasson-Mantorville Senior Heath Parrish upset Carter Geerts of Byron with a 3rd period pin fall.Photo by Tammy Kennedy Junior Luke Swanson (152) secures the takedown over Kaleb Lochner, Zumbrota-Mazeppa in the championship match.Photo by Tammy Kennedy Junior Joey Kennedy (145) won his championship match by major decision 12-1.

K-M sends 8 wrestlers to state

Kasson-Mantorville wrestling was well represented this past weekend at the Mayo Civic Center. Eight K-M wrestlers advance to the MSHSL state individual tournament. The communities of Kasson and Mantorville also brought big crowds to the Mayo Civic Center to cheer on the boys.

Headed to state are Broc Vaughan (106), Jonah Coleman (120), Joey Kennedy (145), Luke Swanson (152), Dominic Mann (160), Cole Glazier (182), Eli Richardson (195), and Heath Parrish (Hwt).

“It’s a great feeling seeing the guys win their own section championships and punching their tickets to the state tournament. It’s a tough tournament and there’s something about everyone walking in 0-0 and fighting for what is theirs that makes it special.” said Head Coach Ryan Hill.

The top two wrestlers advance out of each section. At the section level, the bracket is wrestled out through sixth place, including a true second match.

Four K-M wrestlers had a true second match this past Saturday — Coleman (120), Aiden Friedrich (126), Owen Friedrich (132), and Owen Nelson (182).

Coleman (120) lost his championship match to the #1 seed, Logan Davis, from Albert Lea by TF, 18-3. Coleman then pinned Hunter Kamitz from Stewartville in his true second match to earn his trip to state.

A. Friedrich (126), O. Friedrich (132), and Nelson (182) all found themselves in wrestle backs, in which they all fought their way back for 3rd. They then waited, watching the championship matches.

The highs and lows that come from big tournaments like this, it is often like experiencing a wedding and a funeral all in the same day. Watching the sport of wrestling and seeing all that the hard work that these boys put into their craft, is what separates this sport from other sports.

With their teammates lined up along the gate cheering them on in their true second matches, all three of them fell just short of a state berth, taking home third place.

“We had some guys fall short of their goals in the section tournament, but they all wrestled well. They had good seasons and they still have wrestling left to do. We still have goals to accomplish and they will play crucial roles in making them a reality on Thursday.

“Bringing home championships at 7 of the 14 weights was a lot of fun. Broc, Joey, Luke, Dominic, Cole and Eli wrestled great tournaments, living up to the #1 seeds they came in with. Jonah and Heath came in with a chip on their shoulder and avenged earlier season losses against solid opponents en route to a section title for Heath and a ticket to state for Jonah.” said Hill.

Parrish (Hwt) brought the fans to their feet in his championship match vs Carter Geerts from Byron. Geerts is ranked #2 in the state at heavyweight. In an exciting match, full of upper body throws, it was Parrish who got the third period pin fall over Geerts.

Glazier finished as state runner-up last year at the state tournament. He looks to claim his first MN state title this coming Saturday. The junior class has been there, has felt what it is like to get to state. Kennedy, Swanson, and Mann look forward to returning to the Xcel Energy Center. The three of them say they have unfinished business waiting for them at state.

Vaughan, Coleman, Richardson, and Parrish were all apart of last year’s state tournament team. This will be their first individual tournament at the Xcel Energy Center. Brackets are now out on Trackwrestling.com for both team and individuals.

“We’re looking forward to the X this week and are excited to represent our school and community in the State Tournament. We have three tough duals in front of us on Thursday. We need everyone ready to compete at a high level. It’s going to take every guy. We’ve talked all year about how our plan is to do our best wrestling of the year this week and that’s our plan. This is the last opportunity for this team to compete together and they’ll make the most of it. Go KoMets!” said Hill.

The team will wrestle on Thursday at 11 a.m. vs Dawson-Boyd/Lac qui Parle/Montivideo United out of Section 3. Semifinals will follow at 1 p.m. Third place match is set for 5 p.m. and the championship match will be at 7 p.m.

Individuals will begin Friday at 9 a.m. Class AA begins the first round this year.

The three day tournament schedule can be found on MSHSL.org. Fans can also stream the tournament on NSPN.TV.

SECTION RESULTS:

106: Vaughan – Champion

113: Anderson – DNP

120: Coleman – 2nd

126: A. Friedrich – 3rd

132: O. Friedrich – 3rd

138: Swarts – 6th

145: Kennedy – Champion

152: Swanson – Champion

160: Mann – Champion

170: Glazier – Champion

182: Nelson – 3rd

195: Richardson – Champion

220: open

Hwt: Parrish – Champion

 

 

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