MAT RATS SECTION 7AA PREVIEW 2011-2012

MAT RATS SECTION 7AA PREVIEW 2011-2012

FARVORITES: MILACA WOLVES and the MORA MUSTANGS


DARK HORSES: GRAND RAPIDS THUNDERHAWKS and the NORTH BRANCH VIKINGS

MILACA WOLVES

Head Coach: Randy Zimmer
Enrollment: 436

The Wolves of Milaca had a great season last year with a 26-9 dual meet mark and section runner up honors. They will return four state qualifiers, four section place winners and six others with a great deal of experience. Despite the graduation of four very good seniors, including one state place winner, look for the Wolves to really be hungry after missing out on their state tourney trip last season. The Wolves should challenge for section, state and conference honors. Joey Curtis, Jonah Gahm, Justin Ladehoff, Joe Moscho, Jake Earl and Jordan Ahner should be their key leaders thru out the season.

26-9 Overall
4-2 West Central North
Second Section 7AA
Ten Section Place Winners/Five State Qualifiers/Three State Placers
Second West Central North Conference Tourney: 180.5 Pts. (13 Placers
First Place Farmington "Tiger" Duals: (3-0)
Second Place Mounds View "Mustang" Duals: (3-1)
Second Place Blaine "Bengal" Duals: (2-1)

Returning Wrestlers:
Jonah Gahm 11th 41-6 1st Sec./4th State/AC
Joey Curtis 11th 41-5 1st Section/AC
Justin Ladehoff 12th 39-7 1st Section/5th State/AC
Joe Moscho 12th 25-10 2nd Section/AC
Jake Earl 12th 25-23 4th Section
Jordan Ahner 12th 20-15 4th Section
Chris Newgard 12th 23-21 5th Section
Mike Hoffman 11th 14-8 6th Section
J. R. Patterson 12th 15-8
Trevor Haskins 12th 14-27
Ray Hoffman 10th 7-6
Hunter Noor 9th 6-8
Jordan Warren 12th 5-9
Paul Young 12th 4-20

Graduates:
Joe Hemmerich 43-3 1st Sec./3rd State/AC (74-25 Career)
Travis Bertram 25-9 3rd Section/AC
C. J. Rahm 24-21 5th Section
Cyle Patnode 26-23 6th Section


MORA MUSTANGS

Head Coach: Tom Youngblom
Enrollment: 454

The Mustangs really struggled thru out the season with various injuries to key wrestlers and yet managed to have a 14-10 dual meet campaign. They have seven section place winners and seven others with a great deal of experience back. This includes ten wrestlers with fourteen or more wins. Despite the fact the Mustangs graduated five seniors including one section place winner and one state qualifier from the previous year, look for this young team to progress thru the course of the season. They should make a strong challenge in this conference and a force to be dealt with in section 7AA.

14-10 Overall
4-2 West Central North Conference
Final Four Section 7AA
Eight Section Place Winners
Fourth Place West Central North Conference Tourney: 132.5 Pts. (13 Placers)
Second Place Mora "Mustang" Tourney: 193.5 Pts. (12 Placers)
Second Place Albany "Purple Pride" Tourney: 172 Pts. (12 Placers)
Second Place Maple Grove "Crimson" Tourney: 179.5 Pts. (14 Placers)

Returning Wrestlers:
Codie LaFromboise 11th 42-4 3rd Section/AC
Brent Schroeder 12th 34-11 3rd Section/AC
Zach Smith 12th 28-17 4th Section
Ken Kastenbauer 11th 24-12 5th Section
Thomas Hischer 9th 28-14 6th Section
Sam Lawrence 12th 22-20 6th Section
Brandon Lucking 9th 15-17 5th Section
Austin Richard 11th 21-21
Reed Gmahl 10th 17-17
Jordn Tober 9th 17-19
Jordan Koch 11th 15-27
Nick Kastenbauer 12th 11-13
Tony Jenson 12th 14-12
Brady Beier 9th 4-13

Graduates:
Tyler Carlson 24-1 Injured (134-50 Career)
Bobby Deito 21-17 4th Section
Alex Dahms 0-3 Injured (75-45 Career)
Chris Mattison 4-3
Ryan Lasson 1-2


GRAND RAPIDS THUNDERHAWKS

Head Coach: Dan Jinks
Enrollment: 947

The Thunderhawks posted 20-10 dual meet marks last season, section championship and sixth place state honors. Back from that very good team are three state qualifiers, three section place winners and five others with a great deal of varsity experience. They did graduate six seniors last spring including four state qualifiers, so they will have a tough time challenging those dual meet marks from last season. However if some of their younger wrestlers do make progress thru out the season it isn't out of the question that they could challenge those marks as well as possibly challenge for honors in this section dual meet campaign. Jamison Evans, Pat Hopkis, Tyler Jobe and Jackson Schauer should be their key leaders thru out the season.

20-10 Overall
Section 7AA Champions
Sixth Place Class AA State
Eleven Section Place Winners/Seven State Qualifiers/Two State Place Winners
First Place Grand Rapids "Skip Nalan" Tourney: 246 Pts. (13 Placers)
Fourth Place Cambridge "Bluejacket" Tourney: 141 Pts. (9 Placers)
Second Place Zimmerman "Thunder" Tourney: 193 Pts. (11 Placers)
Sixth Place Brainerd "Paul Bunyan" Tourney: 105 Pts. (5 Placers)
Second Place Chisago Lakes "Wildcats" Tourney: (2-1)

Returning Wrestlers:
Jamison Evans 11th 42-8 1st Sec./6th State
Pat Hopkins 12th 30-11 2nd Section
Tyler Jobe 12th 32-11 2nd Section
Jackson Schauer 9th 33-13 3rd Section
Zach Grandia 12th 12-19 5th Section
Brandon Hess 12th 19-22 5th Section
Alex Seanger 11th 12-7
Caleb Happy 12th 10-11
Jake Schlader 9th 10-21
Frank DeLung 12th 3-1
Jeremy Erickson 11th 2-7

Graduates:
Zac Bainville 44-6 1st Sec./4th State
Mitch Jobe 36-9 1st Section
Nick Hopkins 39-8 1st Section
Ryan Bowers 29-15 1st Section
Dylan Casteel 16-30 5th Section
Braun Reyerson 7-11



NORTH BRANCH VIKINGS

Head Coach: Tony Aho
Enrollment: 945

The Vikings of North Branch posted good 13-8 dual meet marks last season. They also won the North Suburban Conference championship and had eight section place winners. Back from the team are one state qualifier, three section place winners and five others with a great deal of varsity experience. They did graduate eight seniors including three section place winners and a state place winner. They will be hard press to improve on those dual meet marks. But the Vikings should be looking forward to a good season where they should challenge for a top four spot in this section dual meet campaign and for conference honors. Patrick Mork, Jake Pilz, Ried Johnson and Aaron Senner should be their key leaders thru out the season.

13-8 Overall
9-0 North Suburban Conference Champions
Eight Section Place Winners/Two State Qualifiers
Second Place Big Lake "Hornets" Tourney: 193 Pts. (11 Placers)
Fourth Place Grand Rapids "Skip Nalan" Tourney: 161.5 Pts. (11 Placers)
Fifth Place Foley "Tom Keating" Tourney: 118 Pts. (9 Placers)

Returning Wrestlers:
Patrick Mork 12th 28-6 1st Section/AC
Jake Pilz 11th 28-13 4th Section/AC
Reid Johnson 10th 27-15 3rd Section
Aaron Senne 10th 22-11 5th Section/AC
Zach Sundly 11th 17-19
Arik Steel 9th 13-23
Mike Vogel 12th 12-24
Dalton Horak 12th 8-11
Alex Fitcha 10th 4-2

Graduates:
Jake Kostik 35-4 1st Sec./5th State/AC
Andy Freel 24-13 3rd Section/AC
Stuart Frink 24-14 3rd Section/AC
Justin Bergerson 28-8 4th Section/AC
James Juntunen 8-12
Austin Niederkorn 7-12
Marc Lindbeck 5-3
Robert Hatch 1-6



CHISAGO LAKES WILDCATS

Head Coach: Shawn Frederixon
Enrollment: 1,057

The Wildcats posted good dual numbers of 18-8, were conference runner ups and they had eleven section place winners that included five state qualifiers. Back from that team are two state qualifiers, three section place winners and ten others with a great deal of varsity experience. Despite the graduation of seven seniors including three state qualifiers and two section place winners. With that lose thru graduation you would think they might struggle however I see them challenging those dual meet marks from last season. Look for the Wildcats to challenge for a top four spot in this section dual meet campaign and for conference honors. Quade Zupko, Kyle Schoenecker, Joe Virgo, William Pool, Dylan Connell, Cody Fugleberg and Mark Sontag to be their key leaders thru out the season.

18-8 Overall
8-1 North Suburban Conference Runner up
Final Four Section 7AAA
Eleven Section Place Winners/Five State Qualifiers
Second place Saint Croix Lutheran "Cursaders" Tourney: 172.5 Pts. (11 Placers)
Second Place Chisago Lake "Wildcat" Tourney: 167.5 Pts. (14 Placers)
Fourth Place Elk River "Elks" Tourney: 136.5 Pts. (10 Placers)
Third Place Spectrum-Legacy Tourney: 147.5 Pts. (9 Placers)
Third Place Hinckley-Finlayson "Jaguar" Tourney: 155 Pts. (9 Placers)
Fifth Place Northfield "Raiders" Tourney: 72 Pts. (6 Placers)
Twelfth Place Brainerd "Paul Bunyan" Tourney: 62 Pts. (5 Placers)

Returning Wrestlers:
Quade Zupko 11th 35-11 2nd Section/AC
Kyle Schoenecker 8th 22-9 2nd Section
William Pool 12th 23-14 6th Section
Joe Virgo 9th 24-12
Mark Sontag 10th 14-10 4th Section
Bobby Sontag 12th 22-23 3rd Section
Dylan Connell 9th 17-8
Cody Fugleberg 11th 13-2
Sean Hoyt 10th 9-21
David Barwin 12th 6-13
Eric Brown 11th 6-7
Jonah Westburg 11th 6-3
Mike Shaleen 12th 2-7
Carson Velaski 10th 2-6
Chase Kammerer 12th 3-1

Graduates:
Travis Kammerer 36-7 2nd Section/AC (170-73 Career)
Dylan Hoyt 37-9 2nd Section/AC (98-52 Career)
Jake Nase 32-9 1st Section (97-28 Career)
Tyler Heckel 21-23 5th Section/AC (46-67 Career)
Vince Virga 26-11 4th Section
Ben Hinderman 22-16
Sean McConville 14-22


HIBBING BLUEJACKETS

Head Coach: Eric Wojciehowski
Enrollment: 634

The Bluejackets posted 12-12 dual meet marks last season, back from that team are one state qualifier, one section place winner and nine others with a great deal of varsity experience. They did graduate six wrestlers last spring including four section place, one was a state place winner. So it may be very tough challenge to improve on those dual meet marks, however it they do stay healthy over the course of the season they should me some improvement on those marks. Look for the Bluejackets to challenge for conference and possible section honors. Ton Fuenfflinger, Carver Brownlee and Levi Balleck should be their key leaders thru out the season.

12-12 Overall
Matt King Conference Champions
Final 4 Section 7AA
Fifth Place Grand Rapids "Skip Nalan" Tourney: 119 Pts. (10 Placers)
Twelfth Place Cass Lake "Big Bear" Tourney: 96 Pts. (1 Placer)

Returning Wrestlers:
Tone Fuenffinger 10th 33-8 1st Section/AC
Carver Brownlee 12th 24-10
Josh Sinnot 10th 16-17
Levi Balleck 10th 17-10
Tanner Nowak 9th 12-19
Jabar Weber 10th 10-28 6th Section
Slade Rybachek 11th 6-18
Owen Philbrick 10th 5-26
Tyler Plalt 10th 2-9
John Rupp 9th 2-12
Jayson Greenwood 10th 2-6

Graduates:
Mike Fuenffinger 43-1 1st Sec./3rd State/AC
Cody Benz 35-8 3rd Section/AC
Jared Greenwood 28-10 5th Section/AC
Francis Ballek 13-10 6th Section
Mac Geiloff 5-18
Brian Hacker 5-7


HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON/PINE CITY JAGUAR

Head Coach: Jerry Perrotti
Enrollment: 248 Hinckley-Finlayson/395 Pine City/190 East Central High School/833 Total

The Jaguars posted excellent dual meet marks last season of 17-5, back from that team are one state qualifier, three section place winners and six others with a great deal of experience. They did graduate five very good wrestlers, including two state qualifiers, so they will be hard pressed to improve on those dual meet marks of last season. But look for the Jaguars to have a very good season if some of their less experienced wrestlers step up. Kyle Opsahl, David Lange, Jeremiah LeTourneau and Beau Hunter should be their key leaders thru out the season.

17-5 Overall
3-2 Great River Conference
Eight Section Place Winners/Three State Qualifiers
First Place Hinckley-Finlayson "Jaguar" Tourney: 203 Pts. (12 Placers)
Third Place Great River Conference Tourney: 165 Pts. (12 Placers)
Third Place Hopkins "Paul Bengston" Tourney: 163.5 Pts. (10 Placers)

Returning Wrestlers:
Kyle Opsahl 11th 33-3 2nd Section
David Lange 12th 23-13 6th Section
Jeremiah LeTourneau 11th 15-9 3rd Section
Beau Hunter 8th 17-15 4th Section
Robert Noreen 12th 12-14
Gunner Bontjes 11th 11-12
Jordan Hecht 11th 11-8
Zain Hunter 11th 9-12
Vinnie Favorito 10th 7-4
Austin Hiler 10th 3-6

Graduates:
Cody Hanson 27-6 2nd Section
Duran Euers 24-10 4th Section
Keegan Edgerton 27-7 2nd Section/AC
Franky Villareal 11-3 4th Section
Mike Scott 11-7



NASHWAUK-KEEWATIN/GREENWAY SPARTANS

Head Coach: Russ Smith
Enrollment: 133 (N-K) 263 (Greenway) 396 Total

The Spartans posted their best dual meet marks in several years with 10-11 numbers. They have back from that team a lot of numbers and some very talented wrestlers. Including three section place winners and thirteen others with a lot of varsity experience. They didn't graduate anyone form their team from last season, so look for this team to possibly make a big improvement on those dual meet numbers. The Spartans could surprise people and make a challenge for both conference honors and section honors. Aaron Trunt, Nick Bruss, Orrin Hombeck, Mitch Bonderson, Zach Wright and Ryan Becicka should be their key leaders thru out the season.

10-11 Overall
Three Section Place Winners
Fourth Place Fosston "Alfred Olson Memorial" Tourney: 117 Pts. (7 Placers)
Sixth Place Bemidji "Rick Lee" Tourney: 91 Pts. (8 Placers)
Seventh Place Walker "Wolf Pack" Tourney: 82 Pts. (8 Placers)
Eleventh Place Grand Rapids "Rick Nalan" Tourney: 20 Pts. (1 Placer)
Twenty-Ninth Place Cass Lake "Big Bear" Tourney: 43 Pts.

Returning Wrestlers:
Aaron Trunt 11th 32-9 3rd Section
Nick Bruss 11th 32-8 4th Section
Orrin Holmbeck 11th 23-15 5th Section
Mitch Bonderson 10th 22-16
Zach Wright 11th 20-18
Ryan Becicka 12th 14-5
Jake Lelonic 11th 14-23
Tyler Peterson 10th 11-21
Brandon McNamara 12th 9-13
Ian Owens 11th 8-17
Mark Cobb 11th 7-23
Wayne Greensky 12th 4-16
Wes Johnson 11th 3-4
Gabe Neuman 8th 3-10
Matt Wilcox 10th 2-2
Steve Emery 10th 2-5


VIRGINIA/MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHl/EVELETH-GILBERT BLUE DEVILS

Head Coach: Joe Mellgren
Enrollment: 460 Virginia/113 Mountain Iron/-Buhl/294 Eveleth-Gilbert (867 Total)

The Blue Devils posted 6-15 dual meet marks last season, back from that team are eight wrestlers with a great deal of experience. They did graduate six seniors last spring, including three section place winners, one was a state qualifier. It will be tough, but they should make some improvement on those dual meet numbers. Ty Richard, Bryten Felix, Dalton Richard and Jesse Williams should be their key leaders thru out the season.

6-15 Overall
Three Section Place Winners
Fifth Place Hinckley "Jaguar" Tourney: 106.5 Pts. (8 Placers)
Ninth Place Grand Rapids "Skip Nalan" Tourney: 36.5 Pts. (3 Placers)
Thirty-Third Place Cass Lake "Big Bear" Tourney:

Returning Wrestlers:
Ty Richard 12th 14-16
Bryten Felix 12th 11-6
Dalton Richard 12th 10-11
Jesse Williams 12th Didn't wrestle (2009-2010 20-17)
Zach Sampson 10th 5-10
Josh Klander 12th 4-5
Kyle Starr 8th 7-19
Chris Weston 11th 2-6

Graduates:
Kyle Nanti 29-9 2nd Section (129-75 Career)
Tyler Wallner 25-9 6th Section (67-99 Career)
Richard Holweger 14-14
Ben Johnson 15-19 6th Section
Nathan Foix 6-16
Matt Bothwell 3-8


RUSH CITY TIGERS/BRAHAM BOMBERS

Co-Head Coaches: Josh Moulton/Jake Shockman
Enrollment: 236 Rush City/217 Braham/553 Total
Section: 7AA
The coop posted 2-9 dual meet marks last season, they are in high hopes to improve on those numbers with the return of nine wrestlers with varsity experience. They will need to continue to improve thru out the season in order for them to improve on their numbers from last season.

2-9 Overall
1-4 Great River Conference
Nine Place Mora "Mustang" Tourney: 36 Pts. (1 Placer)
Tenth Place Hinckley-Finlayson "Jaguar" Tourney: 40 Pts. (3 Placers)
Tenth Place Spectrum Tourney: 40 Pts. (1 Placer)

Returning Wrestlers:
Dylan Niemela 12th 10-21
Dan Johnson 11th 8-23
Isaiah Johnson 8th 11-20
Logan Johnson 9th 10-26
Jacob Lynch 9th 7-17
Tim Magnuson 9th 2-11
Dominic Montgomery 9th 3-21
Braxton Wolf 9th 2-4
Mike Skalsky 11th 2-5




CLOQUET LUMBERJACKS

Head Coach: Al Denman
Enrollment: 614

No Report Received