The STMA Knights after winning their Section in mid-February, advanced to state for the 33rd time in 34 years, but that wasn’t their main objective.
The goal, win a third straight Class AAA State Championship. The Knights received the #1 seed, and cruised past Brainerd, 53-11 in the quarterfinals, and then Hastings, 45-12 in the semifinals. That set up the championship match on Thursday night at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, against #3 seed Shakopee. The Knights entered the matchup on a 71-match win streak, looking for their 12th state championship, while Shakopee was searching for its 4th state championship, with the last one coming in 2021.
Grant Bergeron, above, got a pin at 121 to help get the Knights off to a hot start in the championship.
The Knights won the first five matches. They got pins from Landon Thoennes (114), and Grant Bergeron at (121). Eli Schultz (127), and Brody Bergeron (133) picked up tech falls, and Jackson Thorn at 107 won by major decision. At 139 Chase Mills who missed last year’s state tournament, and also tore his ACL this past summer, kept the momentum going for the Knights at 145 with a 7-1 decision over Calvin Miller. Afterwards Mills said “I was super nervous about my knee re-tearing, and I was super scared because I didn’t get this opportunity last year. That’s why I am so thankful for today.” Lincoln Robideau posted a tech fall at 152, John Murphy won by forfeit at 189, and Roman Herron picked up the final win for STMA at 285.
Chase Mills, above, won his match at 145, and also qualified for state at that weight.
So, let’s recap. The Knights won their section for the 33rd time in 34 years, advanced eleven wrestlers to the individual state tournament, received the #1 seed going into state, won their third straight Class AAA state championship, and twelfth overall, and oh ya, enter next year on a 72-match winning streak, and looking for a fourth straight state championship. This STMA Wrestling program isn’t just a dominating program in the state, it’s a dynasty and it doesn’t look like it will slow down anytime soon!
Lincoln Robideau, above, who won his match in the championship, is also looking to add an individual title at 152.
Class AAA State Championship: STMA 46, Shakopee 18
107: Jackson Thorn (STMA) over Patrick Heim, 12-3.
114: Landon Thoennes (STMA) over Ethan Pommrnviong, by fall.
121: Grant Bergeron (STMA) over Asher Miller, by fall.
127: Eli Schultz (STMA) over Kaleb Long, by tech fall.
133: Brody Bergeron (STMA) over Noah Wegner, tech fall.
139: Nolan Semen (STMA) lost to Anthony Heim, by tech fall.
145: Chase Mills (STMA) over Kevin Miller, 7-1.
152: Lincoln Robideau (STMA) over Davis VanLangiham, by tech fall.
160: Gavin Jackson (STMA) lost Jackson Barron, by tech fall.
172: Joe Scully (STMA) lost to Kyle Watters, 8-1.
189: John Murphy (STMA) won by forfeit.
215: Peyton Preston (STMA) lost to Joseph Heim, by tech fall.
285: Roman Herron (STMA) over Nathan Courtney, by fall.
