The Becker Bulldog wrestling team will start the 2015-16 season with two wrestlers ranked in the top 10 in Class AA. Those two are #10 Josh Lumley (120-lbs.) and #8 Casey Vesledahl (285-lbs.).
The team is ripe with newcomers and younger grapplers looking to make the move up to the big stage.
“We have some wrestlers that will have a few varsity seasons under their belt and some that will be seeing the spotlight for the first time,” said Head Coach Matt Aho. “We are a little light in some of our upper weight classes while our lighter weight classes, we are three or four deep.”
Aho says he is excited to see how his wrestlers step up this year and he feels that he will see some big strides as the season moves along. His overall record as a head coach after six seasons is 83-51.
Aho has seen yearly progress with his program ever since taking over for long-time legend Brad Novak in 2009 and though he has to juggle and reshape the team from year-to-year, he likes what he is seeing so far. His goal, of course — as well as the team’s — is to take that next step towards capturing another state title for Becker.
Aho named seniors Vesledahl and Jon Schwartz and juniors Josh Lumley and Colten Demant his captains for the 2015-16 campaign. The team has three seniors, nine juniors, three sophomores, 11 freshman, eight eighth-graders and 13 seventh-graders on the team. Vesledahl, Schwartz, Lumley and Demant will be called upon to do their part on the mat, but also be an influence on a largely youthful team.
“In our 7th-12th grades, we have over 40 wrestlers,” said Aho. “We have a solid number with our underclassman. For our upperclassmen, our numbers are a bit down.”
Becker had four Bulldog wrestlers participate in the state tournament last year 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 dropped 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.
Hildebrandt’s first round match went to overtime, but he eventually lost to Zach Moon of Simley by a 12-10 score. Hildebrandt finished 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. Ferris finished with a record of 35-9.
Aho has Jeff Zimmer and Dustin Weege as his assistants and has Dan Soltau participating as a volunteer coach. Team Managers are Alli Zimmer, Megan Dudek, Avery Tamm and Reese Arbuckle.
The team began the season in healthy condition until the first meet Tuesday against Mora when Demant suffered an arm injury and will be out for an unspecified amount of time. The Bulldogs hosted St. Cloud Apollo and Monticello Friday night and host Zimmerman Thursday.
“Our main focus is for every wrestler to improve as the season goes on,” said Aho. “If they are able to do that, it takes care of the team as well.”
