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Wrestling: BBE hopes to take another step at state

Joe Brown, West Central Tribune, Willmar, Minn.
·4 min read

Feb. 27—ST. PAUL — Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa is awaiting that breakthrough moment.

The Jaguars are at the Class A state wrestling team tournament for the fourth straight year. But each of those past three seasons have ended without a winning record at the state tournament, going 1-1 in 2021, 0-2 in '22 and 1-2 in '23.

BBE, the No. 3 seed in this season's tournament, kicks off state against unseeded United North Central at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Xcel Energy Center.

"We're trying to take the next step forward," said Jaguars head coach Jordan Fester. "We're trying every year to take another step."

UNC, a co-op of Menahga and Sebeka, won the Section 8A championship 27-23 over Frazee. UNC is ranked 10th, has a 24-4 record in duals and six state entrants. That group is led by Aaron Lake (10th, 127 pounds). Kevin Dailey (10th, 285) is also ranked.

The Warriors and Jaguars did cross paths during the season at the Grant County Tournament on Dec. 9 in Barrett. BBE placed second with 176.5 points and UNC was fifth with 87.5.

"We've seen a little bit of them," Fester said, "but they weren't obviously at full strength at the time. I do like the matchup."

All season, the Jaguars (21-2) have leaned on its powerhouse stretch of 139 to 285. All six of BBE's ranked wrestlers — Ryan Jensen (second, 139), Tanner Viessman (sixth, 145), Brett DeRoo (ninth, 152), Maximus Hanson (first, 172), Hunter Laage (10th, 189) and Carson Gilbert (fifth, 215) — sit in that range. Jansen, Viessman, DeRoo, Hanson and Gilbert are in the individual tournament. Hanson is a defending state champion and Jansen is a two-time state finalist. Both are undefeated and are the top seeds at 172 and 139, respectively.

"It's always the story of hanging in there down low, save points, get points where you get 'em," Fester said. "Get to the horses at 39 and up and run from there."

For the long-time wrestlers for the Jaguars, there's an element of revenge. In '22, UNC beat BBE 34-30 in the consolation semifinals.

"I said (at practice Monday) that no matter what, just take it match by match and let's get through UNC and see where things are at," Fester said.

Fester is hoping that next match will be in the championship bracket with second-seeded Staples-Motley. And, if things go the Jaguars' way, top-seeded Chatfield would be in the finals.

"As long as we get out of that first one and Staples gets out of there, that semifinal matchup should be fireworks," Fester said.

Thursday

(at Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul)

Quarterfinals (11 a.m.)

BH/V/PP (18-13) vs. 1-Chatfield (18-1)

5-JCC (20-3) vs. 4-LCWM (26-3)

United North Central (24-4) vs. 3-BBE (21-2)

Le Sueur-Henderson (16-10) vs. 2-Staples-Motley (31-1)

Consolation semifinals (1 p.m.)

Quarterfinals losers

Championship semifinals (1 p.m.)

Quarterfinals winners

Consolation finals (5 p.m.)

Consolation semifinals winners

Third-place match (5 p.m.)

Championship semifinals losers

Championship (7 p.m.)

Semifinals winners

(with first-round opponent)

BBE

139: Ryan Jensen (43-0). Vs. Trent Foss, K-W (25-3)

145: Tanner Viessman (38-3). Vs. Reese Lentsch, NYA (29-9)

152: Brett DeRoo (37-6). Vs. Johan Alcantara Lund, Minneapolis North (36-10)

172: Maximus Hanson (45-0). Vs. Ben Carrier, Chatfield (30-12)

215: Carson Gilbert (39-3). Vs. Sonnie DeHeer, EV-W (39-9)

ACGC

133: Edwyn Gonzalez (41-6). Vs. Ayden Hauck, Barnesville (36-7)

160: Jevon Williams (29-0). Vs. Cade Nagel, Frazee (23-18)

215: Isaiah Renne (43-6). Vs. Kaden Holm, Royalton-Upsala (32-14)

KMS

133: Trey Gunderson (49-0). Vs. Dalton Wilson, Le Sueur-Henderson (33-9)

160: Jett Olson (38-6). Vs. Ryan Schlaak, NRHEG (22-14)

172: Aaron Jones (35-13). Jacob McLaughlin, St. Agnes (40-6)

Paynesville

114: Roman Roberg (33-4). Vs. Cooper Rife, UNC (24-18)

121: Mason McNab (27-6). Vs. Micah Gregory, Trinity (35-7)

189: Peyton Hemmesch (27-3). Vs. Avery Fall, WEM-JWP (24-6)

Benson

114: Gavin Olson (34-8). Vs. Caden Kramer, Staples-Motley (38-5)

127: Max Nygaard (33-9). Vs. Wyatt Novitzki, Holdingford (42-5)

BOLD

107: Edgar Kopel (30-10). Vs. Bryan Jacobson, K-W (31-11)

152: Austin Kiecker (43-4). Vs. Evan Schweisthal, Medford (23-3)

Quad County

285: Jasen Jansen (38-10). Vs. Will Rustan, WCA/A/B-E (40-6)