WINTER SPORTS PREVIEWS: WRESTLING
Record-wise, last year was a disappointing one for the Tracy-Milroy-Balaton/Westbrook-Walnut Grove wrestling team. But having graduated just three seniors from that 11-20 squad, this could be a big season for the local matmen.
“We have the majority of the team back, which was very close to being back to the section final four,” said TMB/WWG head coach Karl Campbell, who is entering his 25th year as head coach of the Panthers and 31st overall. “We had a number of kids finish high individually in the section, but not make the state tourney. We had a lot of could-have, would-have, should-have moments last season that we need to make positive gains on.”
Gone from last year’s team are Troy Gillette, Chue Vang and Richer Vang. Coming back is plenty of substantial varsity experience in the form of seniors David Schuh, a two-time state medalist, Lawton Verlinde, Tyler Arnold, Adam Hippe, Nevin Marten and Logan Petersen. Juniors include Taylor Squires, Weston Marten, Nolan Verlinde, Ty Yackey, Mavrick Snyder and Jack Willhite.
Oakley Bornitz and Ethan Johnson factored in last year, and Noah Johnson and Jaxter Pfarr were both ninth-grade individual state entrants a year ago.
“We have a lot of experience and kids who have the potential to be horses,” Campbell said. “It’s just a matter of them figuring things out.”
Campbell said the usual suspects should be back at the top of Section 3A again this year, those being defending Section 3A champion Jackson County Central, and an experienced Fulda/ Murray County Central team, along with Pipestone Area and Adrian-Ellsworth.
“Jackson will be the favorite right out of the gate,” he said. “They run a good program and are well-coached. I would guess they’ll probably be the favorite until someone else proves that different. Fulda/MCC made the section finals last year — they are going to have a very good team as well.”
The Panthers open the season this Friday at Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City, one of many very tough teams on TMB/WWG’s plate this year. That schedule includes the aforementioned teams, as well as Minneota, Canby and Marshall.
“I don’t think anyone can accuse us of putting together a powder-puff schedule,” said Campbell. “In our conference tournament alone, we’ve got United, we’ve got Minneota, we’ve got Canby, we’ve got KMS — there are some really good kids in that conference tournament as well.”
After TMB/WWG opens the season with Friday’s, the Panthers then visit Canby for a triangular on Dec. 9. The Panthers won’t wrestle at home until Dec. 11 when they host a quadrangular with Windom, Wabasso and BOLD.
2025-26 TMB/WWG BOYS’ WRESTLING ROSTER
Seniors: Tyler Arnold, Damion Crooks, Nevin Marten, Logan Petersen, David
Schuh, Lawton Verlinde, Mua Vang Juniors: Sawyer Grogan, Weston Marten, Mavrick Snyder, Taylor Squires, Jack Willhite, Ty Yackley Sophomores: Owen Beier, Andrew Vang Freshmen: Oakley Bornitz, Christian Fransen, Noah Johnson, Luke Millman, Jaxter Pfarr Eighth-graders: Lane Hoffman, Lane Peterson, Sam Willhite, Ethan Johnson, Reese Krick Seventh-graders: Max Hall, Harrison Rentschler
2025-26 TMB/WWG GIRLS’ WRESTLING ROSTER
Juniors: Evelyn Rentscher Sophomores: Ashley Arellano, Kaylie Johnson, RaeLynn Schreier Freshmen: Sophia Del Angel, Isabella Martinez, Jayda Snyder Eighth-graders: Jocelyn Walters Seventh-graders: Kynlie Bortniz, Braya Schreier
MEMBERS OF TMB/WWG’s inaugural girls’ wrestling team are, front, from left: Braya Schreier, Sophia DelAngel, Kynlie Bornitz, Ashley Arellano. Back, from left: Head coach Karl Campbell, Jayda Snyder, Jocelyn Walters, Izabella Martinez, Evelyn Rentschler, Raelynn Schreier, Kaylie Johnson, assistant coaches Rick Johnson and Billy Dean. Photo courtesy Greg Devereaux
PANTHER SENIOR DAVID SCHUH has qualified for the Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament two consecutive seasons. Photo / Per Peterson
