PREP WRESTLING: Huskies, Dragons hit mats at state

ST. PAUL — It’s no surprise that Jackson County Central and Adrian Area are back in the MSHSL Team Wrestling State Tournament.

The Huskies (21-2) are the top-ranked team in Class A after winning state championships in 2008, 2010, 2011 (in a 28-28 tie with Frazee) and 2012. In 2007, Jackson County Central won the state consolation title while competing in Class AA.

The Dragons (29-3), who are the fifth-ranked team in Class AA, are making their eighth trip to the state quarterfinals since 2001. Adrian Area was the state runner-up in 2004, won the state consolation title in 2001 (in Class A) and 2010, placed third at the state tournament in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and reached the state consolation semifinals in 2009

Class A

This time, the Huskies return today to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul with their sights set on winning a fifth state title during the last six years.

The opponent standing in Jackson County Central’s path is the sixth-ranked Barnesville Trojans (23-1), who the Huskies will battle in the state quarterfinals at 11 a.m. today.

Eight JCC grapplers qualified for the MSHSL Class A Individual Wrestling State Tournament, which begins Friday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. They include Jordan Biehn (28-9 at 120), Cameron Henning (34-8 at 126), Eliot Jurries (37-4 at 132), Paden Moore (35-5 at 145), Luke Norland (23-5 at 152), Keegan Moore (30-3 at 160), Darick Vancura (39-2 at 170) and Tanner Menke (9-3 at 182).

Six Trojans reached the individual state tournament for Barnesville. They include Brady Tweeton (24-9 at 160), Rylee Anderson (33-6 at 138), Hunter Olson (28-12 at 160), Isaac Goedtke (36-4 at 170) and Kyle Johnson (32-3 at 220).

When comparing both probable starting lineups, the Trojans have an advantage. Barnesville wrestlers have combined to win 75 percent (366-121) of their bouts this season. Jackson County Central grapplers collectively have won 71 percent (328-132) of the time in 2013.

The Huskies have six state-ranked wrestlers in their lineup, including three grapplers rated No. 1. They are Biehn (No. 6 at 120), Jurries (No. 1 at 132), Paden Moore (No. 2 at 145), Norland (No. 1 at 152), Keegan Moore (No. 4 at 160) and Vancura (No. 1 at 170).

The Trojans feature two state-ranked wrestlers. Johnson, who is rated No. 8 at 220, could wrestle Jack Ziemer (16-24), while Stuart Brandt, who is 33-7 and rated No. 10 at 120, could face Biehn.

Class AA

The Dragons, who are ranked fifth in Class AA, are set to face the New Prague Area Trojans (25-3), who are rated fourth, in the state quarterfinals at 9 a.m. today.

Six Adrian Area wrestlers qualified for the individual state tournament. They include Skylar Hieronimus (38-4 at 106), Ryan Elias (31-8 at 113), Jaydan Bullerman (32-5 at 120), Tony Lynn (33-8 at 126), Matthew Slater (20-5 at 152) and Jesse Slater (31-6 at 170).

New Prague Area is sending four wrestlers to the state individual tournament. They are Griffin Parriott (38-5 at 120), James Berg (31-11 at 126), Morgan Parriott (36-8 at 152) and Nathan Preston (35-6 at 220).

When comparing both probable starting lineups, the Dragons hold a slight edge in wins 321-297. However, Adrian Area only leads New Prague Area in winning percentage 66 to 65. (321-167 to 297-162).

Each team has three ranked wrestlers. Griffin Parriott (No. 1) and Bullerman (No. 4) could face each other at 120. Morgan Parriott (No. 9 at 145) and Preston (No. 6 at 220) are also rated for the Trojans. Hieronimus (No. 10 at 106) and Lynn (No. 8 at 126) are the Dragons’ other ranked wrestlers.

MSHSL CLASS A TEAM WRESTLING

STATE TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINALS

Thursday

At Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul

Probable Starting Lineups

BARNESVILLE (23-1)

106: Brady Tweeton, seventh, 24-9*

113: Zac Anderson, sophomore, 27-12

120: Stuart Brandt, senior, 33-7

126: Kyler Votava, junior, 33-6*

132: Open

138: Rylee Anderson, sophomore, 32-6*

145: Alex Trowbridge, junior, 27-7

152: Jace Nosal, junior, 22-18

160: Hunter Olson, senior, 28-12*

170: Isaac Goedtke, senior, 36-4*

182: Maverick Brady, junior, 21-18

195: Dana Berg, sophomore, 31-11

220: Kyle Johnson, senior, 32-3*

285: Alec Wheelright, junior, 20-8

JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL (21-2)

106: Dalton Wagner, seventh, 15-17

113: Kyle Edlin, senior, 29-13

120: Jordan Biehn, junior, 28-9*

126: Cameron Henning, senior, 34-8*

132: Eliot Jurries, senior, 37-4*

138: Open

145: Paden Moore, sophomore, 35-5*

152: Luke Norland, sophomore, 23-4*

160: Keegan Moore, freshman, 30-3*

170: Darick Vancura, senior, 39-2*

182: Tanner Menke, senior, 9-3*

195: Nate Guggisberg, senior, 20-21

220: Jake Ziemer, junior, 16-24

285: Nate Horn, sophomore, 13-19

*Qualified for individual wrestling state tournament

MSHSL CLASS AA TEAM WRESTLING

STATE TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINALS

Thursday

At Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul

Probable Starting Lineups

NEW PRAGUE (25-3)

106: Sam Reyant, eighth, 15-26

113: Nick Knutson, freshman, 19-12

120: Griffin Parriott, freshman, 38-5*

126: James Berg, sophomore, 31-11*

132: Darick Kvam, sophomore, 10-16

138: Brennan Hallet, junior, 2-5

145: Richard Relnartz, junior, 33-11

152: Morgan Parriott, senior, 36-8*

160: Joe Heinz, junior, 23-21

170: Cameron Schmitz, freshman, 7-6

182: Mitch Gullickson, sophomore, 13-17

195: Cody Sirek, senior, 15-6

220: Nathan Preston, junior, 35-6*

285: Zach LaFavor, junior, 20-12

ADRIAN AREA (29-3)

106: Skylar Hieronimus, freshman, 38-4*

113: Ryan Elias, freshman, 31-8*

120: Jaydan Bullerman, senior, 32-5*

126: Tony Lynn, sophomore, 33-8*

132: Michael Pruess, freshman, 25-9

138: Hunter Heitkamp, freshman, 19-16

145: Logan Rogers, freshman, 16-9

152: Matthew Slater, freshman, 20-5*

160: Justin Elias, senior, 8-29

170: Jesse Slater, sophomore, 31-6*

182: Andy McCann, junior, 15-20

195: Adam Garms, senior, 32-10

220: Tony Sieve, sophomore, 13-20

285: Quinn Cleveland, sophomore, 8-18

*Qualified for individual wrestling state

tournament

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