K-M wrestlers finish 4th at MSHSL team tournament

Kasson-Mantorville’s wrestling team brought home the fourth place trophy from the MSHSL Team tournament this past Thursday.

The KoMets opened up the team tournament with a win over Dawson-Boyd/Lac qui Parle/Montievideo, 47-18. K-M had to battle through some adversity in the lower weights before they pulled away for the first round victory.

“We wrestled well against United. It was a fun dual to kick off the tournament and get the guys acclimated to the environment.” said Head Coach Ryan Hill.

Next up, in the semifinals, was New Prague. New Prague presented a solid line-up, balanced with state qualifiers, several who are nationally ranked.

It was New Prague who struck first, putting up a quick six on the board with a pin at 106. The next two weights canceled each other out, swapping decision victories.

Aiden and Owen Friedrich stole two of the swing matches at 126 and 132. K-M leading 12-9.

K-M now entered the meat of New Prague’s line-up. Hill, tried to counter their strength with a chess move of his own by sliding in an alternate at 138 to bump up our middle men.

New Prague proved to be too much for the KoMets. K-M lost the next four weights, 138 — 160, including two back-to-back pins over Noah Swarts and Joey Kennedy at 145 and 152. Cole Glazier stopped the bleeding at 170, where he picked up a technical fall, 21-5.

Junior, Dominic Mann, adjusted his weight for the team this past weekend. As a state individual qualifier at 160, Mann weighed in heavy for team with Hill’s intent for Mann to wrestle 170 and 182 as needed. Mann won by decision, 3-1.

Senior Eli Richardson, secured the pin at 195. K-M now trailing just 26-28.

Next on the mat for New Prague was nationally ranked Joey Novak. Novak made quick work of a tight cradle over Jacob Duitsman, securing their team win over the KoMets putting them ahead by eight points before Heath Parrish grabbed a pin fall of his own at heavyweight. The KoMets fell to New Prague, 32-34.

“We had a great game plan for New Prague. I think we surprised them with where we weighed some of our guys in and it was kind of our dual to lose. We just weren’t sharp enough and weren’t firing on all cylinders. We fell short by two points, just a lot of little things we didn’t do up and down the lineup that could have made that up for us. It was good to still see some great individual performances from guys like Dominic in this dual. He bumped up two weight classes on a good guy and got a big win to keep us in the dual.” said Hill.

The KoMets then faced Becker for third. Last year, at the state team tournament, K-M beat Becker in the semifinals. Becker returned most of last year’s line-up, including a deep sophomore class.

The scoreboard against Becker would swing like a pendulum. The match started much the same as New Prague. Becker took 106 by major decision. Freshman Broc Vaughan secured the decision at 113. Jonah Coleman grabbed his first win of the day, with a pin at 120. The KoMets took the lead for the first time in the dual, 9-4.

Aiden and Owen Friedrich both lost by major decisions to Becker. Swarts then dropped a decision at 138. Kennedy and Luke Swanson recovered from their losses against New Prague with wins of their own at 145 and 152, putting KM back in the lead 16-15.

Hill would use his alternates again, going with Kaylub White at 160. White lost by a pin before Glazier won at 170 by a TF. With the score now all tied up, 21-21, the dual came down to the final four weights.

Mann, bumping up again, came up just short at 182. Becker then added six to the board at 195. Richardson fell by decision at 220 before Parrish pinned again at heavyweight. The KoMets would fall to Becker in the third place match, 33-27.

“Becker is a tough team. They don’t have many holes in their lineup. They are just solid all the way through. They wrestle hard and we didn’t do a good enough job of matching their level. This will need to be addressed going into next year if we want to beat teams like them and get back on top.

“I’m proud of our guys and how they represented our program and community up in St. Paul this week. We lost to two really good teams that just flat out, out wrestled us. Did we come home with what we were shooting for, no, but 4th-place is what we got and we don’t take that for granted. There’s no guarantees in life or in wrestling, so we savored every moment we got to compete in the state tournament. I wouldn’t trade these guys for anyone in the world,” said Hill.

Making the MSHSL Class AA All-Tournament team was Vaughan (113), Glazier (170), and Parrish (Hwt).

Glazier — CHAMPION

Cole Glazier (170) came up short last year as state runner-up. He has been focused on his goals all season. Glazier has been ranked #1 all year and claimed his first state title Saturday night in the finals, 1-0, over Bryce Burkett from Watertown-Mayer.

Glazier marched through his bracket with a first round pin over Damon Ferguson from Thief River Falls. Next, he picked up a major decision over Tucker Hass from Mora, 15-7. In the semifinals, Glazier won by decision over Parker Adkins from Princeton, 7-0.

“I’m extremely proud of Cole and the way he chased down his dream this year. He had a belief and confidence in his goal which was second to none. I’ll never forget that and will use him as an example for others for a long time to come. His championship match was tight, and he had to gut out a tough guy performance, but it was dominant and he controlled everything. He’s a four-time state entrant, with a third, a second, and now 1st-place finish. That’s a great career to be very proud of,” said Hill.

“Feels good to come home with a blue ribbon this year. It has been a long time coming and it’s nice to finally accomplish what I’ve been working towards for all these years. I wish we could have brought a team title home too, but things didn’t go our way. Although the team didn’t get to where we wanted to at the end of the year, we still accomplished a lot. This is a special team with a lot of tough wrestlers. I’m very proud and thankful to be a part of this team and this program. The KoMet community is like no other and I am lucky to have been a part of it. I wish I could have a few more years. Thank you K-M wrestling and go KoMets!” said Glazier.

Kennedy State Runner-Up

Joey Kennedy (145) has grown up running around the Xcel Energy Center as a youth wrestler. He got a taste of state last year as a state qualifier, but did not place. Kennedy has spent a lot of time the past two summers down in Iowa City bunked up with his older brother, Patrick Kennedy, training in the Iowa room. Big brother, Patrick, told Joey, “You need to make a statement this year.”

Kennedy secured the #3 seed in his bracket. He won his opening round over Landon Church from Scott West, 5-2. In the quarters, Kennedy then beat Aden Welcome from Fairmont, 6-4.

Throughout the week, Kennedy’s big brothers have given him advice. Patrick talked to him about how demanding it is to be up there for both team and individuals. Jackson Kennedy, while a brother, is also an assistant coach in the room. Jackson knows that different wrestlers are drawn to different coaches. He says his role with Joey is to be a brother and not a coach. Joey prefers Coach Heidt and Assistant Coach Tanner Paulson in his individual corner.

Kennedy wrestled the #2 seed in the semifinals and put together six minutes of continuous wrestling. Reattacks, escapes, takedowns. Kennedy upset Nolan Reiter from Big Lake, 10-6.

Waiting for Kennedy in the finals was #1 in the country and #1 seed in his bracket, Koy Buesgens from New Prague. Buesgens is committed to wrestle Division I at North Carolina State next year. Buesgens is explosive and quick. Kennedy went out there with the mindset to fight hard, in which he did, but gave up the technical fall in the third period.

“Joey wrestled a great tournament. He did his best wrestling of the year, which is exactly what we wanted. He had a great opponent in the championship match and he fought him hard. Even though he didn’t come out on top, he represented himself and our program in an outstanding fashion,” said Hill..

“It was great getting back to state as an individual again this year and making the finals. I’ve put a lot of time in during the off season, training to get better in all positions. Although I got to the finals, I haven’t reached my end goal yet. I look forward to getting better and chasing my goals again next year. This team, what can I say? I love these guys! We didn’t get what we wanted as a team, but we will be back. We will be back and we plan to dominate,” said Kennedy.

Swanson Fourth Place

Like Kennedy, Swanson (152) has focused on his craft all year. From the weight room to driving to the cities to Pinnacle, Swanson did not plan on leaving the Xcel Energy Center again this year without a medal. His goal was actually to climb to the top step of the podium.

Swanson wrestled more minutes than any of his teammates this weekend. He was clutch in several overtime matches.

Coming in as the #3 seed, Swanson opened up with a technical fall in the second period over Roy Rude from Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton. Swanson battled in his quarterfinals match for a 3-1 overtime victory against Cael Olson from Delano. Swanson secured the takedown to advance to the semifinals where he faced Cash Raymond from Simley. Raymond took the match with a 7-4 decision over Swanson.

Already securing a spot on the podium, now Swanson would wrestle back for a chance to go for third or fifth. Finding himself in overtime once again, Swanson pushed the pace and secured the takedown over Ethan Duncombe from Becker.

Swanson would face a very familiar foe for the third place match, Kaleb Lochner from Zumbrota-Mazeppa. Swanson 3-0 over Lochner this season, left everything on the mat. Both Swanson and Lochner wanted that third place medal and bracket sheet. Going all the way to ultimate tie breaker, it was Lochner that secured the victory. Swanson finished the tournament run with fourth place.

“Luke just found ways to win all tournament long. He’s so darn hard to score on, wrestling though every position. He had a tough loss against a common foe for third place, but I was still very happy with his performance this week,” said Hill.

Vaughan, Coleman, Mann, Richardson, & Parrish

Five of KM’s eight individuals came short of their personal goals of placing in the MSHSL tournament this past weekend.

Vaughan (106) the #4 seed in his bracket, won his opening match against Kyle Stangl from Pierz, 5-4. Vaughan fell in the quarters to Preston Xayachak from Windon-Mountain Lake in the final seconds of the match, 4-3. Vaughan advanced past his first round of consolation matches with a 4-0 win over Cassen Brumm from Annandale-Maple Lake. Vaughan missed the podium by one round when he fell in the blood rounds to Bennett Kujawa from Becker, 5-3.

Coleman (120) drew the #4 seed, Cole Munsterteiger from Mound-Westonka. Coleman fell by decision, 4-0. He then beat Easton Miller from Pequot Lakes by a pin fall in wrestle backs. Coleman also came up one round short of placing when he lost to Grayson Gibson from MAHACA, 11-7.

Mann (160) won his Section 1AA bracket but still drew the #1 seed at state, Griffin Lundeen from Thief River Falls. Mann dropped his opening round to Lundeen, 4-1. Mann then lost Tate Condezo from Marshall in tie breaker criteria, 8-6, ending his state tournament.

Richardson (195) has wrestled great all year, enjoying every minute of it. Richardson received the #5 seed in his bracket. He opened up his individual tournament by securing a second period pin over Thomas Hagen from Hibbing. Richardson then fell in the quarters to #4 seed, Tyson Ricker from Becker, 4-3. Richardson then lost a heartbreaker in the blood rounds, where he fought hard, but was pinned by Logan Bender from Chisago Lakes.

“It was tough seeing Eli bow out of the tournament. He’s a fiery competitor and offers up such exciting matches for our fans. It was fun seeing a guy who wasn’t a starter last year put together the senior season he had.” said Hill.

Parrish (Hwt) made his first state appearance as an individual this year. Parrish lost his opening match to Riley Peters from Pequot Lakes by pin fall in the third period. Peters lost his next match. Parrish’s tournament then came to an end.

“Heath had a great team tournament. I wish Heath could have gotten a wrestle back match, but it didn’t work out that way. He’s come a long way over the past couple years. He was a staple at the end of our lineup who could be counted on.

“Just like the team tournament, the individual tournament is a roller coaster. Highs and lows that change by the minute. On one end of the arena you have a kid winning the biggest match of his life and punching his ticket into the next round of the tournament, while simultaneously you have a senior losing his last match of his career at the other end.

“This was a great group of seniors. They will be missed. Noah was the glue of our team and this senior class. He’s such a good kid and we love having him around. It was good getting to see him compete one last time at the State Tournament. didn’t want to see their season and careers have to come to an end. It was great getting to see them all compete together one last time at the State Tournament.” said Hill.

Becker defeated Kasson-Mantorville 33-27

106 — Bennett Kujawa (Becker) over Kalin Anderson (KM) Maj 12-3

113 — Broc Vaughan (KM) over Blayne Kuschel (Becker) Dec 6-0

120 — Jonah Coleman (KM) over Nolan Jurek (Becker) Fall 4:51

126 — Kaden Nicolas (Becker) over Aiden Friedrich (KM) Maj 15-4

132 — Landen Kujawa (Becker) over Owen Friedrich (KM) Maj 13-4

138 — Drew May (Becker) over Noah Swarts (KM) Dec 5-0

145 — Joseph Kennedy (KM) over Nolan Muellner (Becker) Maj 19-7

152 — Luke Swanson (KM) over Ethan Duncombe (Becker) Dec 5-3

160 — Adam Jurek (Becker) over Kaylub White (KM) Fall 2:22

170 — Cole Glazier (KM) over Dylan Weber (Becker) TF 23-8

182 — Owen Angell (Becker) over Dominic Mann (KM) Dec 5-3

195 — Tyson Ricker (Becker) over Owen Nelson (KM) Fall 0:59

220 — Dylan Kolby (Becker) over Eli Richardson (KM) Dec 12-7

285 — Heath Parrish (KM) over Lance Lysdal (Becker) Fall 1:41

New Prague defeated Kasson-Mantorville 34-32

106 — Lawson Eller (New Prague) over Kalin Anderson (KM) Fall 2:49

113 — Broc Vaughan (KM) over Kyle McCarthy (New Prague) Dec 3-2

120 — Isaac Pumper (New Prague) over Jonah Coleman (KM) Dec 4-2

126 — Aiden Friedrich (KM) over Cody Thompson (New Prague) Fall 4:22

132 — Owen Friedrich (KM) over Brandon Michel (New Prague) Dec 2-0

138 — Cole Herrmann (New Prague) over Parker Richards (KM) Maj 17-6

145 — Koy Buesgens (New Prague) over Noah Swarts (KM) Fall 2:53

152 — Colton Bornholdt (New Prague) over Joseph Kennedy (KM) Fall 3:03

160 — Evan Farley (New Prague) over Luke Swanson (KM) Dec 5-4

170 — Cole Glazier (KM) over Reven Tietz (New Prague) TF 21-5

182 — Dominic Mann (KM) over Brady Westall (New Prague) Dec 3-1

195 — Eli Richardson (KM) over Owen Johnson (New Prague) Fall 3:01

220 — Joey Novak (New Prague) over Jacob Duitsman (KM) Fall 0:14

285 — Heath Parrish (KM) over Brady Gregory (New Prague) Fall 0:29

Kasson-Mantorville defeated Dawson-Boyd/Lac qui Parle/Montevideo United 47-18

106 — Ben Gunlogson (DBLQPM) over Kalin Anderson (KM) Fall 1:01

113 — Broc Vaughan (KM) over Eli Olson (DBLQPM) TF 22-6

120 — Holland Schacherer (DBLQPM) over Jonah Coleman (KM) Fall 5:04

126 — Aiden Friedrich (KM) over Daniel Gunlogson (DBLQPM) Dec 6-2

132 — Owen Friedrich (KM) over Kameron Sather (DBLQPM) Dec 6-1

138 — Zander Clausen (DBLQPM) over Noah Swarts (KM) Fall 3:06

145 — Joseph Kennedy (KM) over Adrian Norman (DBLQPM) Fall 3:46

152 — Luke Swanson (KM) over Ethan Moravetz (DBLQPM) Maj 16-2

160 — Kaylub White (KM) over Noah Meyer (DBLQPM) Dec 11-8

170 — Cole Glazier (KM) over Holt Larson (DBLQPM) TF 23-8

182 — Dominic Mann (KM) over Mason Pederson (DBLQPM) Fall 2:58

195 — Owen Nelson (KM) over Parker Bothun (DBLQPM) Dec 6-3

220 — Eli Richardson (KM) over Zach DeBeer (DBLQPM) Dec 2-0

285 — Heath Parrish (KM) over Brady Rhode (DBLQPM) Fall 3:24