STMA the two-time defending state champs received the #1 seed again for AAA and are looking for a three peat and are the heavy favorites going in. The team portion of the tournament is Wed, Feb. 25th with the quarterfinals at 4 PM and the semifinals at 8 PM from the Grand Casino Arena. The championship match will be there again at 8 PM on Thursday night. The Individual portion takes place Thursday thru Saturday at the Grand Casino Arena. We will have all the STMA matched here at AM 1360 KRWC, krwc1360.com and on our app. KRWC will also have Individual updates and matches throughout the weekend. Below is a team preview for Class AAA and a list of all the athletes competing at state from the Wright County Area. Good luck to all the teams and athletes at the 2026 MSHSL State Wrestling Tournament.
Class AAA State Wrestling Tournament Preview.
#1 Seed: STMA Knights, #1 ranked team, from Section 5AAA.
State Appearance: 36th. 11 state championships, including last two.
Ranked Wrestlers: 10.
Wrestlers to watch: Landon Thoennes, #1 at 114. Lincoln Robideau, #1 at 145, and Grant Bergeron, #1 at 121.
About the Knights. STMA sent 11 of 12 weight classes to the individual state tournament and are in state for the 33rd time in 34 years, are defending state champs, so yeah there loaded.
STMA, above after winning state last year, is back and lookiing for a three peat.
#2 Seed: Stillwater Ponies, #2 ranked team, from Section 4AAA.
State Appearance: 12th.
Ranked Wrestlers: 9.
Wrestlers to watch: Chase Lawrence, #1 at 107. Grayson Eggum, #1 at 160, and Cohen Lumby, #3 at 215.
About the Ponies: The Ponies are still looking for their first state championship but have been knocking at the door the last few years, and with Eggum (Yes, that is the Gophers coach’s kid.) and eight other ranked wrestlers they have a fighting chance.
Stillwater and STMA, above, faced off earlier this season with the Knights defeating Stillwater in the 1 vs 2 matchup.
#3 Seed: Shakopee Sabers, #3 ranked team, from Section 6AAA.
State Appearance: 11th. 3-time champion, winning three straight from 19-21.
Ranked Wrestlers: 10.
Wrestlers to watch: Noah Nicholson, #1 at 127, Jackson Barron #2 at 160, and Kyle Walters, #1 at 172.
About the Sabers: Once again the Sabers are a serious threat. Shakopee has ten wrestlers ranked and is very deep, with eight wrestlers ranked in the top 5 in their weight class.
Shakopee, above is headed to back to state with 10 wrestlers ranked in the Top 10 at their weight class.
#4 Seed: Hastings Raiders, #4 ranked team, from Section 3AAA.
State Appearance: 22nd, two-time state champs.
Ranked Wrestlers: 4.
Wrestlers to watch: Trey Beissel #1 at 133, Beckett Edstrom, #3 at 121, and William Banbridge, #7 at 127.
About the Raiders: The Raiders are back at state once again, and have some top end talent, but not the depth they normally have, but they have surprised before, just ask STMA.
Trey Beissel, above in Gold, is ranked #1 at 133 in Class AAA.
#5 Seed: Elk River Elks, Not Ranked, from Section 7AAA.
State Appearance: 7th.
Ranked Wrestlers: 4.
Wrestlers to watch: Ian Lessard, #2 at 121, Walker Garelap, 6th at 133, and Marcus Freeman, #8 at 139.
About the Elks: The Elks have a strong history in wrestling and always seem to be in the hunt for state, but are still looking for that first state championship, but I don’t think they will get it this year, just not enough depth.
After missing state for 22 straight years, Elk River, above, is going back for the second straight year.
Random Draw: Northfield Raiders, not ranked, from 6AAA.
State Appearance: 3rd.
Ranked Wrestlers: 3.
Wrestlers to watch: Zane Engels, #2 at 172, Kaden Staab, 5th at 160, and Tyler Faber, 7th at 189.
About the Raiders: This is the first state trip for the Raiders since 2019. Northfield has some talent and got lucky to get the 6th seed by random draw, instead of the 8 and having to play STMA.
Zane Engels, above, finished 5th at the US Nationals this past summer.
Random Draw: Apple Valley Eagles, #12 in state, from Section 7AAA.
State Apperance: 40th. 25 state championships.
Ranked Wrestlers: 3.
Wrestlers to watch: Saitaro Kang, #5 at 121, Riley Clarke, #6 at 172, and Noah Trottier, #8 at 152.
About the Eagles. It’s almost impossible to believe the Valley hasn’t won a state championship since 2017. The program is a shell of its former self, but give them credit, they still reach state almost every year, and that is still a great accomplishment.
Saitaro Kong, above, helped Apple Valley get back to state for the 40th time.
Random Draw: Brainerd Warriors, #7 in the state, from Section 8AAA.
State Appearance: 3rd. 1982 State Champs.
Ranked Wrestlers: 3.
Wrestlers to watch: William Dircks, #3 at 114, Easton Dircks, #3 at 152, and Jackson Burhow, #10 at 133.
About the Warriors: Neither team is happy about this matchup! The Warriors are in state for the first time since 1989, are ranked #7 in the state, and they get STMA? Can’t be happy with that random draw.
William Dircks, above, will have a key matchup early at 114 in the STMA/Brainerd quarterfinal matchup on Wed.
List of Wright County Area Wrestlers participating at State.
Class AA.
Annandale/ML: Brayden Fobbe, 127, Cassen Brumm, 133, and Adam Klatt at 285.
Cassen Brumm, above, had to overcome some injuries this winter, but is back in state for Annandale/Maple Lake.
Delano: Tate Olson, 152 and Jeffrey Ritter at 189.
Jeff Ritter, above, finished second at sections at 189 and is headed to state from Delano.
Howard Lake WW: Clayton Birkholz, 114 and Raydon Graham at 133.
Class AAA.
Buffalo: Gabe Roehl, 127, Dylan Keeler, 145 and Aiden Herbst at 172.
Monticello: Ethan Fischer, 172 and Grant Bauer at 285.
Garrett Bauer, above, is one of two Magic athletes headed to state this weekend.
STMA: Jackson Thorn, 107, Landon Thoennes, 114, Grant Bergeron, 121, Eli Schultz, 127, Brody Bergeron, 133, Chase Mills, 139, Lincoln Robideau, 145, Gavin Jackson, 152, Henrik Sperlazza, 160, Joe Scully, 172, John Murphy, 189, and Phil Harris at 215.
MSHSL State Tournament Wrestling Page: https://www.mshsl.org/sports-and-activities/wrestling
