Prep Wrestling: The Mat Rat: 2011-12 Park Region Conference Preview

by Roger Mischke/The Mat Rat

FAVORITES: BERTHA-HEWITT/VERNDALE RAIDERS and the NEW YORK MILLS EAGLES (PRC NORTH); OSAKIS SILVERSTREAKS and the ROYALTON ROYALS (PRC SOUTH)

BERTHA-HEWITT/VERNDALE RAIDERS
Head Coach: Mike Barthel
Enrollment: 111 Bertha Hewitt/ 126 Verndale/237 Total
Section: 6A
The Raiders of Bertha Hewitt/Verndale have a very young team returning from their 4-18 dual meet campaign. They will return four section place winners including one state place winner and twelve others with a great deal of experience. The Raiders graduated one very good senior, with that in consideration, look for this young team to continue to improve during the course of the season. The Raiders should challenge for one of those top four spots in the section dual meet campaign. Also look for them to challenge conference honors too. Colin Turchin and Dylan Koppendrayer should be their key leaders throughout the season.
Returning Wrestlers
Colin Turchin (12th, 24-3, 1st Sec./4th State)
Dylan Koppendrayer (12th, 22-9, 3rd Section)
Justin Gordon (10th, 13-12, 6th Section)
Andrew Bounds (10th, 15-11, 6th Section)
Dalton Baker (10th, 12-13)
Jackie Swenson (11th, 12-19)
John French (10th, 7-3)
Nick Bennett (10th, 6-11)
Hayden Truax (9th, 9-8)
Dillan Card (9th, 8-2)
Josh Weekley (10th, 6-9)
Dakota Finck (10th, 5-8)
Eric Waln (11th, 6-13)
Dan Houchin (12th, 4-14)
Andrew Cihlar (10th, 5-21)
Marcus Willis (10th, 2-4)
Albert Boldt (9th, 1-4)
Tyler Lamb (9th, 1-6)

Graduates
Kasey Horn (24-13, 4th Section)

NEW YORK MILLS EAGLES
Head Coach: Eric Niemi
Enrollment: 158
Section: 6A
The Eagles of New York Mills will return from their 14-5 dual meet campaign two state qualifiers, six section place winners and one other with a great deal of experience. They did graduate four including four section place winners and one state qualifier, but look for the grapplers to improve during the course of the season. The Eagles should challenge those dual meet marks of last season. They should also make a challenge for both section and conference honors. Shane Novak, Noah Pesola and Tyler Patron should be their key leaders throughout the season.
14-5 Overall, 5-1 Park Region Conference
Final Four Section 6A
Twelve Section Place Winners/Three State Qualifiers
Second Place Park Region Conference Tourney: 174 Pts. (12 Placers)
Sixth Place Perham "Barrel O'Fun" Tourney: 128 Pts. (10 Placers)
Fifth Place Lake Park "Terry Teiken" Tourney: 114 Pts. (8 Placers)
Fourteenth Place Cass Lake "Big Bear" Tourney: 91.5 Pts. (3 Placers) (34 Team Field)
Tenth Place Wahpeton "Dan Unruh" Tourney: 80 Pts. (3 Placers)

Returning Wrestlers
Shane Novak (11th, 37-6, 2nd Sec./2nd State/AC)
Noah Pesola (11th, 24-13, 2nd Section)
Tyler Patron (10th, 27-11, 3rd Section/AC)
Michael Meyer (12th, 22-15, 5th Section)
Tyler Ehnert (10th, 19-18, 5th Section)
Taylor Ericksrud (10th, 11-19, 4th Section)
Kyle Vorderbrugen (12th, 11-24, 5th Section)
Andrew Mindermann (12th, 9-27, 6th Section)
Max Carlson (11th, 12-14)

Graduates
Seth Hofland (32-10, 2nd Section, 70-55 Career)
Tommy Selander (26-8, 5th Section/AC, 76-37 Career)
Peter Stark (23-16, 3rd Section, 44-56 Career)
Ty Bell (10-20, 5th Section)

11-5 Overall, 6-0 Park Region Conference Champions
Seven Section Place Winners/Five State Qualifiers
First Place Park Region Conference Tourney: 190.5 Pts. (14 Placers)
First Place Parkers Prairie "Panther" Tourney: 208 Pts. (12 Placers)
First Place BBE "Jaguar" Tourney: 187 Pts. (13 Placers in the Top Four)
Second Place Fosston "Alfred Olson Memorial" Tourney: 180.5 Pts. (10 Placers)
Seventh Place West Central Area "Grant County" Tourney: 82.5 Pts. (8 Placers)
Second Place Osakis "Silverstreaks" Duals: (2-1)

Returning Wrestlers
Zach Johnson (12th, 25-6, 2nd Section/AC)
Zach Matthys (12th, 29-7, 2nd Section/AC)
Allen Peyerl (12th, 16-6, 4th Section/AC)
Nolan Koch (10th, 20-13, 6th Section)
Charles Johnson (12th, 14-16)
Dylan Schwartz (10th, 14-23)
Aaron Bengtson (11th, 8-23)
Soshiro Tachibana (11th, 3-11)
Aaron Kusler (9th, 2-3)
Brady Tostenson (12th, 2-2)

Graduates
Brendan Hart (28-7, 1st Section, 132-88 Career)
Greg Blum (26-9, 2nd Section, 54-52 Career)
Tyler Olson (28-5, Injured/AC, 106-70 Career)
Anthony Hinson (12-18)
Kaleb Minten (13-17)
Travis Freitag (2-12)

12-9 Overall, 3-4 Central Minnesota Conference
Final Four Section 7A
Twelve Section Place Winners/Eight State Qualifiers
Second Place Royalton "Royals" Tourney: 245 Pts. (12 Placers)
Fourth Place Bemidji "Rick Lee" Tourney: 152 Pts. (11 Placers)
Fourth Place Park Region Conference: 151.5 Pts. (10 Placers)
Eleventh Place Brainerd "Paul Bunyan" Tourney: 73 Pts. (5 Placers)

Returning Wrestlers
Andy Poster (12th, 33-6, 1st Section)
Mitch Lange (10th, 31-6, 2nd Section)
Cory Wensmann (11th, 15-16, 2nd Section)
Tyler Hegna (11th, 16-10, 5th Section)
Tony Gadacz (10th, 8-5)
Brady Moulzolf (9th, 11-11, 2nd Section)
Brad Knoll (8th, 9-21, 4th Section)
Shaun Urbanski (11th, 7-15)
Zach Carlson (9th, 3-8)
Alex Helmin (9th, 6-12)
Jordan Meehl (10th, 3-6)

Graduates
Andrew Plumski (30-4, 1st Section)
Kyle Wentland (10-11, 2nd Section)
Brian Schlichting (22-14, 1st Section)
Kellen Franks (18-17, 2nd Section)
Tom Averill (16-18, 4th Section)
Eli Wunderlich (11-9, 4th Section)
Mike Schmidt

6-11 Overall, 3-3 Park Region Conference
Six Section Place Winners
Third Place Crookston "Pirates Booster" Tourney: 148 Pts. (9 Placers)
Fifth Place Park Region Conference Tourney: 118 Pts. (9 Placers)
Seventh Place Perham "Barrel O'Fun" Tourney: 87 Pts. (7 Placers)
Twenty-Seventh Place Cass Lake "Big Bear" Tourney: 49.5 (1 Placer)

Returning Wresters
Jake Malone (11th, 29-9, 2nd Section/AC)
Max Pajari (11th, 24-12, 3rd Section)
Tommy Tellers (8th, 26-12, 3rd Section)
Sam Tellers (10th, 19-16, 3rd Section)
Mike Johnson (11th, 18-14, 4th Section)
Taylor Carlson (10th, 20-14, 6th Section)
Brody Benson (12th, 11-15)
Dylan Huttunen (10th, 15-17)
Micah Aho (10th, 8-15)
Tristan Palmer (9th, 4-7)
Teague Neuman (12th, 3-14)
Keiler Skaro (11th, 5-18)
Logan Walz (10th, 3-3)
Alex Schoon (12th, 2-4)
Bryon Vasey (12th, 1-6)
Jake Shepersky (9th, 1-5)

13-14 Overall, 4-2 Park Region Conference
Seven Section Place Winners
Third Place Melrose "Early Bird" Tourney: 159 Pts. (11 Placers)
Third Place Park Region Conference Tourney: 165 Pts. (13 Placers)
Fourth Place Albany "Purple Pride" Tourney: 127 Pts. (11 Placers)
Fifteenth Place Brainerd "Paul Bunyan" Tourney: 33 Pts (1 Placer)

Returning Wrestlers
Austin Collins 12th 24-17 3rd Section
Cody Adolphson 12th 21-19 5th Section
Tyler Spanswick 9th 21-22 6th Section
Trenton Coyer 9th 16-16 6th Section
Garret Scherr 11th 17-21
Cody Rupert 12th 10-16
Austin Rollog 11th 10-19
Ryan Larson 12th 6-21
Ryan Engler 9th 6-18
Brandon Spanswick 9th 5-13
Brandon Coyer 8th 5-3
Mitch Sunder 9th 4-0
Garret Sunder 8th 4-17
Brian Thorstad 12th 4-20

Graduates
Cody Torkelson 30-3 2nd Section/AC (96-37 Career)
Nikaloj Hagen 29-12 5th Section (65-50 Career)
James Gabrielson 21-21 5th Section (37-70 Career)
Nick Wolterstorff 21-20 6th Section (54-50 Career)

BROWERVILLE/EAGLE VALLEY BRONCOS
Head Coach: Andy Lancaster
Enrollment: 151 Browerville/72 Eagle Valley/ 223 Total
Section: 5A
The Broncos of Browerville/Eagle Valley posted 8-19 dual meet marks last season, back from that team are five section place winners and eight others with some varsity experience. The Broncos did graduate four seniors last spring, but look for them to challenge those dual meet marks from last season. If they stay healthy and their younger wrestlers make progress over the season they could challenge for the number four spot in the section dual meet campaign. Preston Irsfeld, Adam Sutlief, Ridge Quistorff, Tyler Kent and Austin Butler should be their key leaders throughout the season.
8-19 Overall, 1-5 Park Region Conference
Six Section Place Winners
Fourth Place West Central Area "Grant County" Tourney: 117 Pts. (11 Placers)
Eighth Place BBE "Jaguar" Tourney: 21 Pts. (3 Placers)
Ninth Place Park Region Conference Tourney: 82 Pts. (7 Placers)

Returning Wrestlers
Preston Irsfeld (12th, 24-17, 3rd Section)
Adam Sutlief (11th, 31-10, 5th Section)
Ridge Quistorff (11th, 24-17, 5th Section)
Tylor Kent (12th, 25-16, 5th Section)
Austin Butler (11th, 20-13, 4th Section)
Avery Kuhnau (11th, 15-23)
Matthew Schettler (10th, 10-25)
Noah Becker (8th, 5-24)
Nic Bollin (12th, 5-15)
Jordan Statema (11th, 3-18)
Gary Melstrom (12th, 1-1)
Austin Host (12th, 2-6)
Nick Becker (9th, 2-0)

Graduates
Brad Schettler (17-10, 6th Section, 61-66 Career)
Cody Middendorf (11-13, 23-39 Career)
Clayton Noland (4-26)
Emil Schnack (6-23)

5-12 Overall
Five Section Place Winners/Three State Qualifiers
Fourth Place Royalton "Royals" Tourney: 149.5 Pts. (8 Placers)
Fifth Place Morris Area "Tiger" Tourney: 90.5 Pts. (8 Placers)
Sixth Place Heart of Lakes Tourney: 97.5 Pts. (8 Placers)
Fifth Place West Central Area "Grant County" Tourney: 90.5 Pts. (7 Placers)
Seventh Place BBE "Jaguar" Tourney: 77 Pts. (5 Placers in top Four)
Nineteenth Place Cass Lake "Big Bear" Tourney: 72.5 Pts. (3 Placers)
Fifth Place Staples "Don Dravis" Duals: (1-2)

Returning Wrestlers
Kyle Martineau (12th, 30-10, 1st Section)
Chase Odegaard (9th, 18-16)
Ethan Supler (12th, 15-19, 6th Section)
Jon Sande (12th, 7-7, 5th Section)
Jake Larkin (8th, 19-18)
Gage Odegaard (11th, 12-19)
Carter Duncan (11th, 12-24)
Alex Anderson (11th, 4-4)
Devin Buss (11th, 4-13)
Braeden Long (10th, 4-17)
Royal Crow (9th, 2-5)
Koel Siefert (9th, 3-16)
Buzz Miller (8th, 4-8)
Sean Albert (12th, 1-2)

Graduates
Seth Felland 35-7 2nd Section (133-66 Career)
Jon Pikop 32-9 2nd Section (92-82 Career)
Chris Barrera 4-7

Overall Dual Meet NA
Seventh Place Wadena-Deer Creek "Wolverine" Tourney: 63 Pts. (6 Placers)
Seventh Place Parkers Prairie "Panther" Tourney: 83 Pts. (9 Placers)
Sixth Place Staples "Don Dravis" Duals: (1-2)
Seventh Place West Central North Conference Tourney: 46 Pts. (4 Placers)

Returning Wrestlers
Lenard Bennett (12th, 17-15)
Miguel Botello (10th, 14-13)
Kody Kunerth (11th, 11-21)
Creg Donabauer (9th, 10-13)
Josh Vor (12th, 3-16)
Jorge Botello (8th, 3-18)
Rene Eldidy (11th, 2-14)
Maway Quillo (10th, 2-7)
Miguel Ambrey (8th, 2-11)
Wade Reece (9th, 3-18)

Graduates
Thomas Haugen (17-10, 44-51 Career)
Cristian Ambrigz (2-9)

PARKERS PRAIRIE PANTHERS
Head Coach: Billy Wagner
Enrollment: 159
Section: 6A
The Panthers did struggle last season but with several wrestlers returning with some varsity experience they are looking to improve. Mitch Westerberg, Logan Nebbe, Kyle Schlosser and Bruce Looker should be their key leaders throughout the season.

Returning Wrestlers
Mitch Westeberg (11th, 20-21, 5th Section)
Logan Nebbe (9th, 4-6, 6th Section)
Kyle Schlosser (9th, 13-21)
Mike Kalpin (12th, 8-19)
Bryce Looker (10th, 6-10, 6th Section)
Trent Hagen (11th, 5-18)
O'Ryan Bosek (12th, 5-29)
Jesse Oeltjenbruns (12th, 2-16)

Graduates
Kevin Hahn (32-7, 1st Section/AC)
Chad Knapp (1-15)

Courtesy: Roger Mischke/The Mat Rat/Guillotine Writer/Class A Ratings Editor and USA Wrestling Magazine State Editor. This article/preview was reposted with permission. Click here to visit his Central Minnesota Mat Rat wrestling blog