For the third year in a row, the Becker Bulldog wrestling team advanced to the section finals only to see their state tournament dreams dashed with a loss.

This time, as was the case last year, it was the super co-op of Dassel-Cokato-Litchfield who edged the Bulldogs 34-26 to advance to the state wrestling tournament.

Semifinals

Last Wednesday, the second-seeded Bulldogs played host for the semifinals and dispatched the Rocori Spartans in quick fashion by a score of 62-6.

“The win was a good confidence boost going into Saturday (finals),” said Co-coach Matt Aho.  “We had all four of our seniors pin their opponents that night and that is special since it is the last time they will wrestle at home on our mat.”

The result was never in question as Becker raced to the early lead and lost just a pair of decision matches to go 12-2 in individual matches.

Brayden Weber provided a highlight at 220 pounds as he collected his 100th career win and 50th career pin.

The big win set up a re-match for the Bulldogs with the #1 seeded team, D-C-L on Saturday at Rocori.

Results: Kaden Nicolas (maj. dec. 106), Landen Kujawa (dec. 113), Drew May (fall 120), Kaden Rish (fall 126), Ethan Duncombe (forfeit 132), Lukas Paulson (fall 145), Adam Jurek (dec. 152), Kylen Rish (fall 170), Tyson Ricker (maj. dec. 182), Caden DeWall (fall 195), Brayden Weber (fall 220), Dylan Kolby (fall 285).

Finals

The Bulldogs entered Saturday’s finals with just one loss on the season, also to D-C-L.

Despite the earlier loss, Aho said his team was ready for another shot at the defending section champs and were hopeful for an upset win and a trip to the state tournament.

“We prepared the best we could,” said Aho.  “I felt that the team was ready to go.”

As he has done for much of the season, eighth grader Nicolas put the Bulldogs in front with a decision win at 106 pounds.  But from there, D-C-L used an experience advantage to take a lead and the Bulldogs were never quite able to get over the top.

“We battled and just came up short,” said Aho.   “It is hard because now we have lost in the section finals three years in a row.”

Despite the sting of the loss, the Bulldogs were right back at it this week with the individual section tournament scheduled to start Wednesday in Annandale.  From there, the top four individuals in each weight class advanced to the super section on March 20 in Mound-Westonka.  There, the top two finishers in each weight class will earn a trip to the state tournament. 

The Bulldogs figure to have several individuals with a chance to earn that trip to state and that makes it a little easier for Aho and his crew to move on from the loss.

“We had a great season as a team,” said Aho. “We were conference champs, broke the school record for most dual wins in a season (27-2), and we had several wrestlers accomplish a lot of career milestones this year.”

D-C-L vs. Becker Results:  Nicolas (dec. 106), Rish (maj. dec. 126), Paulson (tech. Fall 145), DeWall (fall 195), Weber (fall 220).