MAT RATS CLASS A SECTION 4 Preview 2011-2012

FAVORITES: LAKE CRYSTAL WELLCOME MEMORIAL KNIGHTS and the LESEUER-HENDERSON GIANTS

The Knights of Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial should be a favorite to repeat in the section. They have back from their 21-2 campaign three state qualifiers, seven section place winners and three others with a great deal of experience. Despite they graduated six including four state qualifiers, of which three were state place winners. Look the Knights to make a lot of progress thru out the season and make a strong challenge to for both section and conference honors. Look for Nate Meixell, Taner Trembley, Dakota Yarger and Davontay Corey to be their leaders thru out the season.

The Giants of LeSueur-Henderson will have back from their 15-10 and section runner-up campaign three state qualifiers. They will also return five section place winners and three others with a great deal of experience. So despite the graduation of four seniors, including two state place winners they should improve over the course of season. Look for the Giants to make a serious challenge for section and conference honors. Brett Pfarr, Aaron Bruihler, Chris Pfarr, Austin Holland and Brent O'Connell should be their key leaders thru out the season.

DARKHORSES: ST. JAMES SAINTS and the SIBLEY EAST WOLVERINES


The Saints of St. James return from their 18-1 campaign three state qualifiers, four section place winners and four others with a great deal of experience. Despite graduating eight very good seniors including two state qualifiers and two section placers, look for the Saints to challenge for one of those top four spots in the section. They should challenge for both section and conference honors. Cody Hanson, Gio Alvarado, Isaac Carreon and Richy Soto should be their key leaders thru out the season.

Look for the Raiders of Norwood Young America to challenge for one of those top four spots in the section dual meet campaign. There are eight state medal winners back from last season that includes: Nate Meixell and Taner Trembley of Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, Brett Pfarr and Chris Pfarr of LeSueur-Henderson, Cody Hanson of St. James, Ben Rynda of Trinity School at River Ridge, Jacob Anderson of River Valley and Adam Cooling of Madelia-Truman. There are a total of sixteen returning state qualifiers from last year's state tourney action. Those not mentioned above are: James Goman of Trinity School at River Ridge, Nathan Rose, Tyler Pasvogel and Austin Brockhoff of Sibley East.

Look for the following wrestlers: Cole Bohnert, Matt Johnson, Louis Sanders and Justin Roberts of Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, Ryan Westman of St. James, Charlie Leighton of Trinity School at River Ridge, Aaron Bates and Caleb Ling of Sibley East, Austin Kidrowski, Grant Mueller, Tim Swanson and Tyson Tellers, Brett Joremo, Jason McLaughlin and Byron Forstner of Madelia-Truman and Garrett Schmitt, Sam Lee, Tanner Elliot and Derek Wilking of Nicollet/GFW to challenge for medals at the end of the season.


LAKE CRYSTAL-WELCOME MEMORIAL KNIGHTS

Head Coach: Andre Harnitz
Enrollment: 209

21-3 Overall
6-0 Valley Conference Champions
Section 4A Champions
Fourth Place Class A State
Fourteen Section Place Winners/Seven State Qualifiers/Five State Placers
First Place Valley Conference Tourney: 208 Pts. (13 Placers)
First Place Hayfield "Viking" Tourney: 208 Pts. (13 Placers)
First Place Cannon Falls "Bombers" Tourney: 251 Pts. (13 Placers)
Eighteenth Place Fargo "Rumble on the Red" Tourney: 98 Pts. (2 Placers)

Returning Wrestlers:
Nate Meixell 12th 39-5 1st Sec./2nd State/AC
Taner Trembley 11th 36-7 1st Sec./5th State/AC
Dakota Yarger 12th 25-12 3rd Section/AC
Davantay Corey 11th 27-13 2nd Section
Cole Bohnert 12th 25-13 4th Section
Levi Marsh 9th 21-19 4th Section
Matt Johnson 12th 23-14 3rd Section/AC
Louis Sanders 10th 26-16 3rd Section (Transfer from M-T)
Justin Roberts 10th 20-16 4th Section (Transfer from M-T)
Dylan Keck 10th 12-24 5th Section
Cole Kottke 12th 10-4
Devan Haage 10th 3-4
Bradley Brown 12th 3-6
Ryan Roberts 11th 1-2
Brady Hefner 8th 1-1
Damon Schmalzriedt 8th 2-1

Graduates:
Cody Tibbetts 28-7 2nd Sec./6th State/AC (168-67 Career)
Thomas Sandt 37-9 2nd Sec./6th State/AC (111-57 Career)
Spencer Yackel 32-10 1st Sec./4th State/AC (118-18 Career)
Eric Hood 25-10 2nd Section/AC (126-73 Career)
Hans Gunderson 19-10 3rd Section/AC
Aaron Hutchens 34-7 3rds Section/AC (84-70 Career)


LESUEUR-HENDERSON GIANTS

Head Coaches: Scott Wilson
Enrollment: 321

15-10 Overall
Section 4A Runner Up
Eleven Section Place Winners/Seven State Qualifiers/Three State Place Winners
Second Place Mankato East "Cougar" Tourney: 185.5 Pts. (14 Placers)
Second Place Le Center "Bezdichek" Tourney: 202.5 Pts. (10 Placers)
Third Place Redwood Valley "River Riot" Tourney: 127 Pts. (7 Placers) (24 Teams)

Returning Wrestlers:
Brett Pfarr 12th 42-1 1st Sec./2nd State
Aaron Bruihler 12th 25-1`3 1st Section
Chris Pfarr 11th 34-13 2nd Sec./6th State
Brent O'Connell 12th 36-8 3rd Section
Austin Holland 12th 25-15 2nd Section
Seth Hynes-Marquette 12th 17-21 3rd Section
Mark O'Connell 10th 14-15 6th Section
Austin Anderly 9th 15-13 5th Section
Austin Poole 12th 5-11
Angel Lopez 11th 5-13
Sam Leeper 10th 2-8

Graduates:
Josh Willaert 40-2 1st Sec./State Champion
Brett Schwartz 35-9 1st Sec./4th State
Jacob Burt 13-11 6th Section
Trey Fitzke 8-10


SAINT JAMES SAINTS

Head Coach: Gene Hildebrandt
Enrollment: 292

18-1 Overall
5-0 South Central Conference
Final Four Section 4A
Twelve Section Place Winners/Five State Qualifiers
First Place South Central Conference Tourney: 202.5 Pts. (14 Placers)
First Place Mankato West "Scarlets" Tourney: (3-0)
Fourth Place Redwood Valley "River Riot" Tourney: 120 Pts. (5 Placers) (24 Teams)
Second place Martin County West "Maverick" Tourney: 159.5 Pts. (12 Placers)

Returning Wrestlers:
Cody Hanson 11th 31-6 1st Sec./4th State/AC
Gio Alvarado 12th 25-5 1st. Section/AC
Isaac Carreon 11th 26-10 2nd Section/AC
Richy Soto 11th 23-8 3rd Section/AC
Ryan Westman 11th 22-10 4th Section
Zach Gleiter 11th 11-13 5th Section
Esteban Zelaya 12th 6-12 4th Section
Sammy Guzman 10th 2-8
Julio Nino 12th 3-1
Carlos Marquez 11th 2-2

Graduates:
Dale McMullen 22-4 Injured/AC (47-17 Career)
Angel Soto 25-4 1st Section/AC (43-13 Career)
Matt Westman 23-10 2nd Sec./AC (51-24 Career)
Zach Romsdahl 22-9 4th Section/AC (42-36 Career)
Dylan Wright 15-6 Injured (56-26 Career)
Shaun Karau 12-10 6th Section (30-30 Career)
Daniel Leyva 10-5
James Woratschka 2-7
Lance Peterson 2-5


TRINITY SCHOOL AT RIVER RIDGE

Head Coach: Pat Murphy
Enrollment: 220

4-13 Overall
2-2 Trio-Metro Conference
Six Section Place Winners/Two State Qualifiers
Third Place Tri Metro Conference: 103.5 Pts. (8 Placers)
Fourth Place Minnehaha Academy "Knight Hawk" Tourney: 106 Pts. (8 Placers)
Eight Place Glencoe/SL "Don Hall" Tourney: 86 Pts. (6 Placers)
Eight Place Hinckley-Finlayson "Jaguar" Tourney: 90 Pts. (5 Placers)
Seventh Place Spectrum Tourney: 90.5 Pts. (6 Placers)
Eleventh Place Cannon Falls "Bombers" Tourney: 55 Pts. (4 Placers)

Returning Wrestlers:
Ben Rynda 12th 38-6 1st Sec./4th State/AC
Charlie Leighton 12th 30-11 3rd Section/AC
James Goman 11th 29-11 2nd Section/AC
Bryant Ridgway 9th 18-12 6th Section/AC
Dietrich Baisbaugh 8th 19-16 4th Section
Sam Swanson 10th 8-20
Noah Pehrson 11th 4-8

Graduate:
Joey Griffith 24-18 5th Section/AC (44-43 Career)

SIBLEY EAST WOLVERINES

Head Coach: Chad Johnson
Enrollment: 313

Dual Meet Record Not Available
Seven Section Place Winners/Four State Qualifiers
Third Place Norwood Young America "Raiders Central " Tourney: 132 Pts. (9 Placers)
Eleventh Place Redwood Valley "River Riot" Tourney: 83 Pts. (4 Placers) (24 Teams)
Eight Place Janesville "Fasnacht Memorial" Tourney: 68.5 Pts. (4 Placers)

Returning Wrestlers:
Nathan Rose 10th 41-3 2nd Section
Tyler Pasvogel 12th 34-5 2nd Section
Austin Brockhoff 9th 36-9 2nd Section
Aaron Bates 11th 20-8 4th Section
Caleb Ling 12th 27-15 5th Section
Jason Meyer 9th 20-19 5th Section
Miah DuFrane 11th 8-19
Jake Wentzloff 8th 9-8
Austin Kube 9th 5-13
Francis Zuniga 10th 5-2
Vinz Karl 12th 3-6
Clay Morgard 11th 2-15
Mitch Wentzloff 10th 2-0

Graduate:
Teddy Dufrane 18-8 2nd Section (23-10 Career)


RIVER VALLY WILDCAT

Head Coach: Todd Bertram
Enrollment: 176 Spring Field /162 Sleepy Eye/338 Total

13-13 Overall
2-4 Valley Conference Duals
Six Section Place Winners
Six Place Valley Conference Tourney: 60.5 Pts. (6 Placers)
Seventh Place Glencoe/SL "Don Hall" Tourney: 91 Pts. (6 Placers)
Eight Place Le Center "Bezdichek" Tourney: 82.5 Pts. (6 Placers)

Returning Wrestlers:
Jacob Anderson 12th 38-7 2nd Sec./6th State/AC
Jordan Meine 12th 18-19 6th Section
Tim Krueger 10th 16-17 4th Section
Marlo Gomez 11th 15-21 6th Section
Caleb Hammerschmidt 12th 10-14
Seth Brandow 12th 2-9

Graduates:
Colby Salonek 34-6 1st Section/AC
Zach Streich 25-16 5th Section
Kelly Clausen 13-19 6th Section
Jesus Molina 4-19


NORWOOD YOUNG AMERICA RAIDERS

Head Coach: Darrin Fox
Enrollment: 331

11-19 Overall
1-2 Minnesota Conference Duals
Five Section Place Winners
Second Place Norwood Young America "Central" Tourney: 143.5 Pts. (11 Placers)
Eight Place Thief River Falls "Prowlers" Tourney: 89 Pts. (6 Placers)
Ninth Place Faribault "Dick Shields" Tourney: 68 Pts. (6 Placers)
Fifth Place Trinity Duals: (2-1)

Returning Wrestlers:
Austin Kidrowski 12th 32-9 3rd Section/AC
Grant Mueller 11th 25-15 5th Section/AC
Tyson Tellers 12th 20-18 4th Section
Paul Muehring 12th 15-18 3rd Section
Tim Swanson 12th Injured (31-8 4th Sec. 2009-2010)
Andrew Schmieg 12th 12-6
Josh Hendel 10th 20-19
Cody Meisinger 10th 11-21
Jordan Stevens 11th 13-24
David Colley 8th 8-11
Josh Lord 11th 9-20
Matt Ditsch 11th 6-19
Jared Wickenhauser 10th 2-18

Graduate:
Justin Stevens 32-7 3rd Section (153-? Career)


MADELIA-TRUMAN JAYHAWKS

Head Coach: Darren Gifferson
Enrollment: 139 Madelia/ 93 Truman/68 Mankato Loyola/300 Total

12-10 Overall
4-2 Valley Conference
Ten Section Place Winners/Two State Qualifiers
Third Place Valley Conference Tourney: 148 Pts. (11 Placers)
Fourth Place Maple River "Eagles" Tourney: 117 Pts. (10 Placers)
Eight Place Blue Earth Area "Dick Maher" Tourney: 116 Pts. (6 Placers)
Fifth Place Martin County West "Maverick/Subway" Tourney: 79 Pts. (5 Placers)
Sixteenth Place Redwood Valley "River Riot" Tourney: 63.5 Pts. (4 Placers) (24 Teams)

Returning Wrestlers:
Adam Cooling 11th 37-7 1st Sec./4th State/AC
Brett Joremo 12th 28-12 3rd Section
Jason McLaughlin 12th 20-17 4th Section/AC
Bryon Forstner 11th 22-15 3rd Section
Jon Whitney 11th 19-22
Isaac Pfeffer 11th 7-15
Mike Pace 12th 13-24
Justin Sefferson 10th 7-6
Jake Denn 9th 4-10
Dillon Navarro 12th 5-13
Eric Colon 12th 4-14
Stevie Tierney 9th 3-20

Graduate:
Alex Cooling 35-2 1st Sec./State Champ/AC (128-46 Career)


NICOLLET RAIDERS/GFW

Head Coach: Mike Amsden
Enrollment: 90 Nicollett/265

13-13 Overall
2-4 Valley Conference Duals
Eight Section Place Winners
Second Place Nicollet "Raiders" Duals: (4-1)
Third Place Saint Croix Lutheran "Crusaders" Tourney: 164 Pts. (11 Placers)
Fourth Place Valley Conference Tourney: 68 Pts. (6 Placers)

Returning Wrestlers:
Garrett Schmitt 12th 24-15 5th Section
Sam Lee 12th 24-12 4th Section
Logan Miller 12th 20-17 6th Section
Tanner Elliott 11th 21-14 5th Section
Dalton Elliott 9th 20-19 6th Section
Derek Wilking 12th 20-17 4th Section
Aaron Beyer 11th 16-14
Lucas Gens 11th 12-18
Jaydon Grommersch 11th 20-8 (2000-2010)


Graduates:
Tabor Elliot 16-16 6th Section
Nick Miane 21-1 5th Section
Jess McDurmet 10-17


SAINT AGNES AGGIES

HEAD COACH: Brent Odenbrett
Enrollment: 216