It was another amazing Minnesota State High School Tournament! We have a special senior class that has been with us since Jared and I joined up and opened up a facility over 13 years ago. This class has always been labeled #nextgen along with the class of ’22, and ’24. They have proved themselves on the state, national, and World level. All future State Tournaments will be compared to this one!

Every year for the past 13 years I have written a story on the Minnesota State High Tournament. It is a very emotional event for kids, families, High School coaches, and for all of the Pinnacle coaches. We feel the pain of heartbreak, and the sheer joy of accomplishing dreams and goals. The last 4 years have been more difficult for me as my son has competed. Not only has that raised my emotions to a new level, but I also miss watching some of my favorite wrestlers while he is wrestling. Next year will be a little less stressful, and I hope to see more of the tournament!

We have had great leaders in this Senior Class. It starts with the guy who has been to more PINnacle practices than any other wrestler, Zach Hanson. He knows what we are going to show, 2 moves before we show it. Zach, Eli Paulson, Brandon Morvari, and Sam Bethke were all in our first “Tough Guy” class, what a group. Zach is the most fundamentally sound wrestler we have had in our program. I am certain he will be with us for life.

Koy Buesgens and Ryder Rogotzke were both ranked #1 in the country this year. Koy was always very good, but really turned the corner a couple years ago when made a decision to Be Great and learned to Love the sport. His outside trip to hip toss at state put a smile on my face. Ryder moving up to face the #1 wrestler in the country, at a weight higher than him, shows his "no fear” attitude towards wrestling!

Alan Koehler “Loved The Fight” in the finals against a nationally ranked opponent.  Alpal is awesome to have in the room with his high pace drilling and wrestling! Love watching him and Jack Nelson go at it and watch Al stare down down Charmoli while he is fixing his socks.

I knew Joey Novak was a different cat a couple years ago. He finally grew into his body, and domination followed.

Colton Bornholdt is still looking for a practice partner..  who wants to wrestle that guy. Not me.. Great battle in the finals with Cash “money”.

Cael Robb, and Parker Janssen have been staples in the room, had great High School careers, and will be great collegiate wrestlers. The depth of the brackets they have been in the last 4 years has been amazing. These guys all grew up battling each other in the room, and on the competition floor. This group has raised the level of wrestling in MN.

Jed Wester and Travis Smith go by the old saying, “Rather throw ya, then know ya”. Future t-shirt for them.

Morvari and Mills are like peanut butter and jelly. Sometimes they go great together(in the room), but sometimes they are competition. Awesome that they were in different divisions and didn’t have to compete every year for a state title.

Soren Herzog is STRONG. Can’t wait to watch him lock up a gut wrench soon.

Gavin Nelson makes it look too easy. He will be fun to watch at the Pavillion.

Vincent Mueller is one of the most improved wrestlers in the room. He decided to dedicate himself to wrestling, and it has shown! Joe Nord is a happy man.

Loved to watch the progression of Eli Davis, Sam Bethke, and Evan Farley. Always improving! Always their best! Sam was with us from the start. I still remember him struggle to do a forward roll at 5 years old, and he stuck with it enough to be an All-State wrestler.

Charli Raymond makes history. Again. Last year the first MSHSL Girl State Champion, and this year the first Girl to win a match in the boys/girls team division. Charli, Aspen, and Ella repeat!

I didn’t forget about Wisconsin! Liam Neitzel, and his big muscles, dominated the competition. Koy Hopke wrestled 65 seconds in 3 matches at state.

I always said that my son Eli was very athletic, but not on the wrestling mat. That may have changed. Wrestling wasn’t something Eli always wanted to do, and even when he got back into it, it was a rough go. He learned to love the sport, lives right, believes in himself, and is a great student of the sport. I couldn’t of written a better script than for him to do a reverse lift to get out of danger, and to throw a hip toss to seal the match. Always advisable.

Congrats to the Simley Spartans, and the legend Will Short on winning another Dual State title.

Congrats to all the High School coaches who had athletes compete in the High School State Tournament. Although it may not feel like it sometimes, there are people who appreciate all the hard work you put in. You deserve a lot of credit, and hope your wrestlers and parents realize it. 

You, or your athlete, isn’t a number to us, but statistics have always been a part of my life and fun to compare to previous years. Well, this year is the year all future State Tournaments will be compared to.

• 26 High School State Champions (23 Boys, 3 Girls, 22 MN, 4 WI)
• 45 Finalist
• 83 Placers
• 125 State Entrants
• 10/14 AA State Champs, 8/14 AAA State Champs
• 8 Pinnacle vs Pinnacle finals