As the regular season came to an end, the Becker Bulldog wrestling team built some important momentum as they will soon try to earn their second consecutive trip to the MSHSL state wrestling tournament. 

Last Thursday, the team hosted a triangular meet against Rocori and Foley, easily winning both matches.

In the opener against the Spartans, Becker reeled off 10 straight wins starting at the 120 pound match to cruise to a 55-9 victory.

At 106, Bennett Kujawa won a 25-7 tech fall, while Nolan Jurek stuck his man at the 3:00 mark of the 120 pound weight class to start the Becker rout.

Kaden Nicolas won a 9-5 decision at 126, followed by three forfeit wins for the Bulldogs: Ryan Boecker (132), Landen Kujawa (138) and Drew May (145).

Ethan Duncombe fought for a 12-8 decision at 152, followed by Owen Angell’s 56 second pin at 160.

At 170, Adam Jurek wrestled up a class to score a 22-6 tech fall, followed by Dylan Weber’s pin at 182 (third period). Tyson Ricker then wrestled a close match, winning 3-1 at 195 pounds.  The 220 match was a double forfeit and Rocori scored a forfeit win at 285 to finish the match.

In the last match of the evening, Becker was able to totally dominate the Foley Falcons, a perennial powerhouse program that has had trouble fielding a complete lineup this season.

Becker used forfeits at 170 and 220, as well as four pins to dominate the Falcons.

Boston Kuschel started things off at 106 with a tech fall, followed by a 32 second pin by Bennett Kujawa at 113.

Nicolas then scored the first of three straight Bulldog major decisions, winning 13-4 at 126 pounds, followed by Kujawa (15-6 at 132) and May (13-1 at 138).

At 152, Jake Rosenow won a 26-9 tech fall, then Duncombe won a 9-3 decision at 160.

Jurek’s forfeit at 170 ran the score to 37-10, while Weber picked up a decision at 182.

Ricker (2:45 at 195) and Dylan Kolby (:35 at 285) rounded out the Bulldog scoring with pinfalls.

Purple Pride

Friday night, Becker ran away with the Albany Purple Pride tournament championship, scoring 231.5 points over second place Dawson Boyd of Lac Qui Parle-Montevideo (209).

Becker claimed six individual weight class championships en route to the title win.

At 106 pounds, Becker’s Bennett Kujawa placed second, while teammate Boston Kuschel was third and Blayne Kuschel finished fourth at 113.

Nolan Jurek captured third place at 120 pounds, while Kaden Nicolas grabbed the first title for the Bulldogs at 126.

Landen Kujawa won all his matches to take the title at 132, while Drew May finished second at 138, losing a close decision in the finals.

At 145, the Bulldogs again doubled up with Jake Rosenow (third) and Nolan Muellner (fourth) scoring points for the team.

Ethan Duncombe was the title winner at 152, while Adam Jurek (first) and Owen Angell (second) gave Becker the top two performers at 160.

Dylan Weber had a great night at 170 pounds, finishing in second place, before Tyson Ricker won the blue ribbon at 182 pounds for Becker.

Lance Lysdal picked up a 6th place finish at 195, while Dylan Kolby won a 2-0 decision in the finals for the title at 220 to round out the Bulldogs’ scoring.

The Bulldogs’ pursuit of a section title started Thursday night with a home match, with full details in next week’s Patriot.