The 2025 State Tournament season is here, and this week it’s the State Wrestling tournament at the Xcel Center in St. Paul. Here is a look at the athletes and teams that are competing from the Wright County Area this weekend. Good luck to all the teams and athletes at state!
2025 State Wrestling Tournament Info:
Site: Xcel Energy Center (Home of the Wild) St. Paul, MN.
Dates: Thursday Feb. 27-Sat. March 1st.
Schedule: Thursday, Class A, AA, and AAA Team, starting at 9 AM.
Friday, Class A, AA, AAA, Individual Tournament, 9AM-9PM.
Saturday, Class A, AA, AAA Individual Tournament, Championship Round, 4 PM.
Wright County Area Teams: STMA Knights, Defending state champs.
How many Wright County Athletes are wrestling in the Individual state tournament? 35 Boys and Girls from the area are competing for a state championship, and you kind find those athletes in this preview below.
Class AAA Team Tournament Preview:
Team, Seed: STMA Knights, Section 5 Champ, #1 seed.
State Tournament Appearance #: 35, including 10 state championships in (96,97,04,05,06,07,13, 18,22, and 24.)
Last time in state: Last year, won it all, defeating Mounds View, 47-10.
Ranked Wrestlers: 8.
Wrestlers to watch: Landon Robideau, defending champ at 160, John Murphy, defending champ at 189, and #1 at 172 Jarrett Wadsen.
About the Knights: They are the clear favorite, as almost every weight will be a favorite in each match. They also have tons of tournament experience and are very deep. Only Shakopee could truly even give them a battle.
The STMA Knights, are back to defend their state championship.
Team, Seed: Shakopee Sabers, Section 6 champs, #2 seed.
State Tournament Appearance #: 11, with three state championships in (19,20,21.)
Last time in state: 2024.
Ranked Wrestlers: 7
Wrestlers to watch: Ethan Phanmanivong(#1, 107), Kyle Walters (#2, 160), and Jackson Barron (#2, 172.)
About the Sabers: Former Apple Valley coach Jim Jackson revitalized this program with three straight championships, but since he has left this program is still very good, just not STMA good. Shakopee lost one match this season to you guessed it, STMA, 51-16, and they are probably the only team that can even threaten the Knights at state.
Kyle Walters, above in black, against Mounds View earlier this season. Walters is ranked #2 in the state at 160.
Team, Seed: Stillwater Ponies, Section 4 champ, #3 seed.
State Tournament Appearance # 12
Last time in state: 2023.
Ranked Wrestlers: 6
Wrestlers to watch: Noah Nicholson (#3, 121), Mikey Jelinek (#4, 127), and Grayson Eggum (#5, 139.)
About the Ponies: Although I believe Shakopee is the second-best team in the state tournament, the Ponies actually was tougher against the Knights, losing 39-23. Stillwater is very strong at the lower weights, and if they can jump on their opponent right away and take a big lead, they could reach the finals.
Grayson Eggum, above in white, is only a 9th grader, but already one of the top wrestlers in the state at 139.
Team Seed: Albert Lea Tigers, Section 1 champs, #4 seed.
State Tournament Appearance #: 15, state champs in (77,81)
Last time in state: 2024.
Ranked Wrestlers: 5
Wrestlers to watch: Logan Davis (#2, 127), Dylan Groess (#5, 121), and Nick Korman (#6 at 160.)
About the Tigers: Albert Lea is back in the state tournament and last years’ experience should prove vital for the Tigers. The Tigers are very balanced at every level, maybe they don’t have a star, but they have enough talent to pull an upset.
Above, action from Albert Lea’s Section final win over Owatonna.
Team, Seed: Bemidji Lumberjacks, Section 8 champs, #5 seed.
State Tournament Appearance #: 8.
Last time in state: 2020.
Ranked Wrestlers: 3
Wrestlers to watch: Nick Strand (#3, 139), Gabe Moring (#6, 127) and Oscar Hanks (#10, 107.)
About the Lumberjacks: The Jacks are very good at the lighter weights, so for them to have any chance to advance they will need a quick start, rack up the points early, and hold on until the end.
Nick Strand, above, is one of many Strands to reach the state tournament for Bemidji.
Team, Seed: Prior Lake Lakers, Section 2 champs, Random Draw.
State Tournament Appearance #: 8.
Last time in state: 2015.
Ranked Wrestlers: 4
Wrestlers to watch: Brock Zurn (#2, 285), Liam Collins (#3, 124), and Rocco Mikolyzk(#6, 107).
About the Lakers: It’s been a while since the Lakers reached the state tournament, but defeating perennial power Apple Valley to reach state was a major accomplishment. If Prior Lake is close going into the final match, they have the huge advantage with Brock Zurn.
Brock Zurn, above, from Prior Lake is a state title contender at heavyweight in Class AAA.
Team, Seed: Elk River Elks, Section 7 champs, Random Draw.
State Tournament Appearance #: 6.
Last time in state: 2003.
Ranked Wrestlers: 2.
Wrestlers to watch: Braden Hilyar (#4, 189), and Ian Lessard (#7, 121.)
About the Elks: This will be the Elks first appearance in the state tournament in twenty-two years, so yeah, they are pumped! The Elks have no chance to win it, but at least they won’t get the Knights in the first round!
Braden Hilyar, above, helped lead Elk River back to the state tournament for the first time since 2003.
Team, Seed: Hastings Raiders, Section 3 champs, Random Draw.
State Tournament Appearance #: 21, two state titles in (96, and 23).
Last time in state: 2024.
Ranked Wrestlers: 2.
Wrestlers to watch: Trey Beissel (#1, 133) and Beckett Edstrom, #3, 107.)
About the Raiders: Well, well, well, this could go really bad for Raiders! This program has a great tradition, and just two years ago shocked STMA, 33-32 in the state championship with a miracle comeback. I am betting the Knights didn’t forget! Insert, side eye meme.
Trey Beissel, above in yellow, is the #1 ranked wrestler in the state at 133 in AAA.
Wright County Area Wrestlers competing in the individual state tournament this week
Boys:
Annandale/ML: Cassen Brum, 121, and Nathan Klatt, 215 in AA.
Howard Lake WW: Ryke Clobes, 107, Raydon Graham, 127, Tony Baumann, 145, and Matthew Busse, 215 in AA.
Delano: Tate Olson, 145 in AA.
STMA: Landon Thoennes, 107, Eli Schultz 114, Grant Bergeron, 121, Brody Bergeron, 127, Lincoln Robideau, 133, Tanner Becker, 139, Tyson Newman, 145, Joe Scully, 152, Landon Robideau, 160, Jarrett Wadsen, 172, John Murphy, 189, and Phil Harris, 215 for AAA.
John Murphy, above, from STMA is the defending state champ at 189 in Class AAA.
Buffalo: Gabe Roehl, 121, and Ryan Babatz, 285 for AAA.
Becker: Boston Kuschel, 121, Nolan Jurek, 127, Bennett Kujawa, 133, Landon Kujawa, 145, Kaden Nicolas, 152, Braydon Boots, 160 and Owen Angell, 172 in AA.
Girls.
Annandale/ML: Abby Gindele, 118.
Abby Gindele, above, from Annandale/ML is headed to state at 118.
STMA: Ava Schultz, 106, Emma Antoni, 136, Claire Kvant, 142, and Avery Harmon, 148.
Monticello: Roseangel Verett, 118, and Jasmin Downer, 190.
2025 MSHSL State Wrestling Tournament Website: Wrestling | MSHSL
