Six Becker Bulldogs wrestlers traveled to the Xcel Energy Center last week to participate in the state individual wrestling tournament, earning state medals from Caden Dewall, Lukas Paulson, and Brayden Weber.

Caden Dewall (170) (40-2) earned third place honors. In the quarterfinals, he defeated the No. 3 seeded and No. 5 ranked Eli Hunt of St. Peter, however he was defeated in the semifinals 7-6 by the eventual state champion, the No. 1 ranked Bennett Berge of Kason-Mantorville. 

In the consolation semifinals Weber defeated the No. 7 ranked Nathan Simmons of Fairmont/MCW 11-1, then defeated the No. 4 seeded and No. 3 ranked Isaac Grams of Bloomington Kennedy in his third place match to win the medal.

Lukas Paulson (138) (37-7) earned fourth place state honors. Seeded No. 5, he won his first round match 7-2, and in the quarterfinals defeated the No. 4 seeded and No. 4 ranked Blake Vagle of New London-Spicer 6-1. In the semifinals Paulson was defeated by the No. 1 seeded Cael Berg of Simley, the eventual state champion. 

In the consolation semifinals Paulson defeated the No. 3 seeded and No. 3 ranked David Platt from Hibbing 3-1, but was defeated by the No. 2 seeded and No. 2 ranked Connor Simone’s of Fairmont/MCW in the 3rd place match, earning Paulson the 4th place medal. 

Brayden Weber (220) (34-3) came home with sixth place. Seeded third, he defeated his first round foe No. 9 ranked Wyatt Dunham of United Clay Becker, and in the quarterfinals,  he defeated the No. 8 ranked Jaiden Bahr of Marshall by fall. Weber was defeated in the semifinals by the No. 1 seeded and ranked Danny Striggow of Orono. 

Weber was forced to default out of the tournament due to medical conditions that occurred after his semifinal match. (See story on page 1)

Although they didn’t medal, the Bulldogs’ three other state wrestlers also wrestled well. Ethan Anderson (126) (37-11) defeated the No. 3 seeded and No. 4 ranked Ross Herber of LA/RP in his first round match 9-5. However, in the quarterfinals he was defeated by the No. 5 ranked Austin Gabbert of Watertown-Mayer. 

Anderson defeated conference rival Connor Gmahl of Mora in the wrestle backs 5-2 but was defeated by Cade Jackson of Detroit Lakes 5-3 in OT. He was just one match from earning a medal. 

Seeded no. 6, Jake Nelson (132) (25-5) won his first round match but was defeated in the quarterfinals by the No. 3 seeded and No. 4 ranked Logan Vaughan of Kasson-Mantorville 5-0. Nelson was defeated in his first wrestle back by Dusty Wilke of Grand Rapids 3-2.

Although he gave his all, Reid Kraus (182) (35-14) lost to the No. 6 seeded Alex Nelson of Hutchinson.

“I’m proud of our guys at the state tournament,” said Head Coach Matt Aho. “Our wrestlers gave their best and performed at the highest level.”