TMB/WWG wrestling has had a very busy month of March.
This past weekend, the Panthers wrestled in both NYWA Region 2 individual state qualifier on Friday and Saturday in Windom, and at seventh- and eighth-grade team regions in Worthington on Sunday. On Friday night the seventh- and eighth-graders wrestled in their individual region tournament. The Panthers were able to secure two state qualifiers, while three others placed. Saturday turned over to the K-6 wrestlers where 36 TMB/WWG wrestlers competed, securing nine state qualifiers, and eight others placing in the top six.
On Sunday, things moved back over to team competition for the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. Things started out rough for the 15-seeded Panther wrestlers as they fell to the #2 seeded, and eventual Region 2 champion, St. Peter team, 40-9. They would bounce back, defeating WEM/JWP 33-16. Knowing if they won the next dual, they would secure their position in the state tournament, the Panther grapplers came out strong and found a way to win a tight dual against Lake Crystal Welcome Memorial 27-23. After that win, they hit their stride, defeating Minneota 33-16 in the consolation semifinals. Ultimately, they came up short, losing to Wabasso 33-16 and finishing in sixth place.
The young wrestlers will cap off their season at the NYWA State tournament this coming weekend in Rochester. TMB/WWG will be well represented with 11 individuals, the K-6 grade team and the seventh- and eighth-grade team all competing in the state tournament, as well as many others competing in the invite.
• On March 6-8, the K-8 youth wrestlers participated in NYWA Individual District qualifying tournaments where 43 wrestlers qualified for individual regions.
• On March 14, the K-6 grade team competed in the NYWA Region 2 State qualifier in Tracy — a 15-team double elimination tournament, where the top 8 teams would qualify for state. The Panthers started out the tournament with a bang, defeating a Marshall Tigers team, 58-15. In the quarterfinal matchup they lost a tight dual to Adrian 32-39. The Panthers would bounce back though with dominating back-to-back victories 55-22 over Blue Earth Area and 72-12 Worthington.
The fifth-place dual against Maple River/USC really put the Panther team to the test. It took every wrestler doing their job, while they trailed 35-4 with six matches to go they closed out the dual with six straight victories — five pinfalls and one technical fall to win the dual 39-35.
The Panthers earned fifth place and advanced to the NYWA State tournament.
State qualifiers (1st, 2nd or 3rd)
• Huxley Byrne – K70 – 2nd place
• Blake Robinson – 1-2 65 – 1st place
• Reid Christopherson – 1-2 85 1st place
• Braxton Rolling – 3-4 110 - 2nd place
• Braxton Petersen – 5-6 97 – 2nd place
• Grant Robinson – 5-6 120 – 2nd place
• Connor Gertner – 5-6 130 – 3rd place
• Brian Paczkowski – 5-6 130 – 1st place
• Liam Martinez – 5-6 140 – 1st place
• Andrew Hippe – 7-8 140 – 3rd place
• Reece Krick – 7-8 140 – 2nd place
Other individual medalists
• Asher Pederson – K55 – 4th place
• Wesley Jorgenson – 1-2 65 – 4th place
• Robyn Stoks – 1-2 70 - 5th place
• Finley West – 3-4 55 – 6th place
• Garrett Gervais – 3-4 65 – 6th place
• Landon Luckhardt – 5-6 65 – 5th place
• William Buyck – 5-6 93 – 4th place
• Henry Rentschler – 5-6 115 – 5th place
• Lane Hoffman – 7-8 115 – 4th place
• Harrison Rentschler – 7-8 135 – 6th place
• Jaxyn Odom – 7-8 235 - 5th place
