Becker had four Bulldog wrestlers participate in the state tournament last weekend and Cody Ferris rose to the challenge to take home second place at 145-lbs.

 

Ferris, Caleb Vekved (138-lbs.), Josh Lumley (113-lbs.) and Jaylin Hildebrandt (170-lbs.) all wrestled in their respective weight classes.

 

Vekved (29-7) lost his first round match to Dru Kuchenbacker of Milaca by a 6-5 score to drop out of competition for a title. Lumley (23-9) won his first round match, 5-3, against Connor Swetala of Richfield, then lost a 7-3 match to Jackson Stauffacher of Scott West.

 

Hildebrant’s first round match went to overtime, but he eventually lost to Zach Moon of Simley by a 12-10 score. Hildebrant finioshed his season at 18-10).

 

Ferris  defeated Isaac Loosbrock of Chaska 4-1in their first round match, then Ferris beat Rodolfo DeLao of Simley, 2-1 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Ferris beat Conner Denman of Cloquet-Esko 5-1 with a throw in the final 10 seconds  to advance to the championship match.

 

Unfortunately, Ferris’ bid for a state title ended when #1-ranked and unbeaten Griffin Parriott of New Prague beat him by a 13-6 score.

 

“He's an animal,” Ferris said. “He's just aggressive and so strong.”

 

“I came down here with the goal of trying to place in the top six,” he said. “This is awesome. This is great.”

 

Ferris, a senior, finished with a record of 35-9.

 

(All records are unofficial).