After an exciting day filled with victories and defeats at the Section 6AA Individual Wrestling Tournament last Saturday, 10 Becker Bulldogs emerged as place winners, including three champions and one runner-up.

 

At the Becker Field House, wrestlers from 10 schools fought for the chance to compete at the state tournament this weekend.

 

Bulldogs competing at state this weekend are Ethan Anderson (113), Jake Nelson (126), Lukas Paulson (132) and Brayden Weber (220).

 

Anderson defeated Jed Wester from Annandale-Maple Lake in a decision to take the number spot in the 113 lbs. division. Anderson, a freshman, finished his season with a 34-6 record and received his 50th career win and 25th career pin.

 

“I was proud of my season and felt pretty confident going into the tournament,” said Anderson. “I’ve been training since the day after last year’s tournament. I got the number one seed which gave me an extra boost of confidence.”

 

Nelson overcame Logan Thorsten from Foley in a decision to the 126 lbs. champion. Nelson, a junior, finished his season 39-3 and was ranked seventh most of the year.

 

“I had a good year overall and felt really good going into the tournament,” said Nelson. “I got second seed but was a bit nervous because there were three ranked guys in the brackets. I knew I could beat the number eight guy because he had beat me early in the season and I knew what I had to do to defeat him.”

 

Paulson also overcame his opponent, Jerry Simes from Litchfield, in a decision, placing him first in the 132 lbs. division. A sophomore, Paulson was ranked ninth most of the year and finished his season with a 36-6 record.

 

“I had a good season,” said Paulson, who said he felt pretty confident going into the tournament. “I had the number two seat but knew I could beat the number one spot. I wrestled him in the finals last year and lost. This year I beat him.”

 

Weber took second in the 220 lbs. division, fighting hard but losing out to Jesse Midas from Monticello. Weber, a sophomore, finished his season with a 36-5 record and received his 50th career win. He was ranked 10th.

 

“We had a good season, our team broke the school record,” said Weber, who felt confident going into the tournament. “Overall it was a really good day. All four of us [headed to state] worked really hard.”

 

Seven other Bulldogs were named place winners in the tournament.

 

Ethan Duncombe (106), came in eighth in his division, and Mason Doucette (120) was awarded third place in his after a defeat to Eddie Simes from Litchfield with a fall at 0:42.

 

In the 138 lbs. division, Adam Jurek emerged in sixth place after losing to Nick Merten from Big Lake in a forfeit. 

 

Logan Jurek, 145 lbs., took third place after being defeated in a decision by Mark Kierkes from Foley. Kylen Rish (152) also placed third in his division, losing in a decision to Adam Neumann from Annandale-Maple Lake.

 

Another third place winner, Caden Dewall (160) lost to Annandale-Maple Lake’s Jake Klug with an injury.

 

Reid Kraus (170) took fifth place in his division after defeating Alex Klatt from Annandale-Maple Lake in a decision. Lincoln Carlson (182) also took fifth place, defeating Linus Brown from Annandale-Maple Lake in a decision.

 

Results of this weekend’s State Individual Wrestling Tournament will be covered in next week’s Citizen-Tribune.