The Becker youth wrestling team placed sixth out of 32 teams in competition at the NYWA State Tournament in Rochester March 29.

 

The team qualified for the state tournament in Waconia  Mar. 22 where they took third place in their region. 

 

At the state tournament, they placed second in their bracket, beating Willmar and Kasson Mantorville but losing to St. Michael-Albertville. They then beat Bemidji and lost to Albert Lea in their pool. 

 

The seventh and eighth grade team also competed in the state tournament. The K-6 team members include: Bennett Vogel, Boston Kuschel, Kaden Nicolas, Landen Vogel, Drew May, Owen Angell, Kaden Rish, Ethan Anderson, Nicholas Berglund, Tyson Ricker, Mason Doucette, Lukas Paulson, Jonathon Lipinski, Kylen Rish, Bryce Kuschel, Bennett Edling, Carter Neu, Caden DeWall, Brayden Weber and Jacob Eich.

 

Coaches are Ryan DeWall, Jayme Doucette and Curt Suchy.

 

Individually, the team had a great state tournament with many place winners. 

 

Kindergartner Bennett Vogel was the 45-lbs champion. Other place winners included 57-lb. Kaden Nicolas (third); 65-lb. Owen Angell (fifth); 80-lb. Mason Doucette (fifth); 80-lb. Lukas Paulson (fourth); 93-lb. Kylen Rish (fifth); 130-lb. Brayden Weber (third); and 85-lb. Jake Nelson (sixth). 

 

Landen Vogel and Kaden Rish also qualified for the state individual tournament. Wrestlers must place first or second in the district qualifier, and then first to third in the region qualifier to qualify. 1900 Minnesota youth wrestlers competed from K-6th grade in individual and team competition.

 

The Bulldogs also had place holders in the state invite competition. 

 

Tyson Ricker placed first in the 80-lb. bracket and Ethan Anderson placed third in the 70- lbs. bracket. Boston Kuschel, Blayne Kuschel, Roman Seifert, Drew May, Jonathon Lipinski, Bennett Edling, Carter Neu and Bryce Kuschel also wrestled in the invite. 

 

Second grader Kaden Nicolas also placed fourth in the MN/USA State Tournament at the beginning of the month in Rochester. He had to qualify for this tournament by wrestling in MN/USA qualifying tournaments. He competed in the 64-man bracket of 55-lbs intermediate (second and third grade) wrestlers.