Becker’s Lukas Paulson found the sledding tough in the Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament over the weekend, losing his first two matches and being eliminated from competition.

 

Lukas, a freshman sporting a 29-10 record after finishing second in the section meet the weekend prior, faced off with Mitchel Petersen, a sophomore from Byron, an wrestling power from southern Minnesota.

 

Petersen, with a 42-2 record, managed a technical foul victory over Lukas to advance from the first round.

 

And Petersen kept right on rolling, winning three more matches without a loss to finish as state champion in the 120AA bracket.

 

Lukas after his first round loss was thrown back into the wrestle-backs and faced up with Connor Simmonds of Fairmont/Martin County West. Simmonds registered a pinfall victory at 3:34.

 

Jerry Simes of Litchfield, who defeated Lukas for the 6AA section title, advanced two rounds at the state before running into Petersen, who decisioned him, 4-1 to advance to the title match.

 

  “Lukas gave a great effort at his first state appearance,” saide Coach Matt Aho. “First round he lost to the eventual state champ in his bracket. His second match was a good battle until the third period where he got put in a tough hold and gave up a fall.

 

  “It was a good experience for Lukas and I know he is excited to look for another trip to the state tournament and getting on the state podium.”

 

Lukas finished the season with a 29-12 record.