Wadena-DC, B-H-V wrestling teams return to state

LONG PRAIRIE -- Saturday's Section 7, Class 2A championship wrestling meet between the top-ranked Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines and sixth-ranked Minnewaska came down to the final match.

With the score tied 23-23, W-DC's David Uselman scored a technical fall over Orlin Erickson to seal a 28-23 victory for the Wolverines and a berth in the state tournament.

"It was a heck of a meet," said Wolverines coach Dennis Kaatz. "It went down to the wire and David (Uselman) ended up winning. "

Championship

Wadena-Deer Creek 28, Minnewaska 23

103 -- Joe Schwartz (M) maj. dec. Ken Steffens 10-2

112 -- Wes Tessman (M) maj. dec. Ryan Hunke 12-2

119 -- Leland Brincefield (W-DC) tech. fall Josh Pahan 3:58

125 -- Logan Brincefield (W-DC) maj. dec. Brett Braatan 18-10

130 -- Nate Berry (W-DC) pins Eric Bowen 4:35

135 -- Craig Cihlar (M) dec. Louie Vandermay 3-0

140 -- Peter Hays (W-DC) tech fall Doug Noyes 5:18

145 -- Cody Peltier (M) dec. Paul Hunke 10-7

152 -- Kyle Trout (W-DC) dec. Jeremy Macho 7-4

160 -- Matt Mitchell (M) dec. Matt Hays 3-0

171 -- Jacob Bryce (M) dec. Zack Snyder 9-3

189 -- Nathan Stoen (M) dec. Dusty Uselman 11-5

Hwt -- David Uselman (W-DC) tech fall Orlin Erickson 4:44

Overall -- WDC 19-1. Next meet -- WDC at Perham for individual section tournament Feb. 22-23.

Bertha-Hewitt-Verndale

wins Section 7, Class 1A title

BARRETT -- The Bertha-Hewitt-Verndale Bears, ranked eighth in Class 1A, will compete in the state wrestling tournament after winning the Section 7, Class 1A championship Saturday.

The Bears defeated Breckenridge 63-9 in the quarterfinals and Ortonville 57-12 in the semifinals. In the final, the Bears defeated Wheaton 43-22.

In the final, the Bears won all but four matches and got pins from Jared Oyster, Cullen Captain and Adam Richter.

Championship

Bertha-Hewitt-Verndale 43, Wheaton 22

103 -- Casey Gray (W-H-N) pins Jasper Oyster :12

112 -- Trevor Balbach (B-H-V) maj. dec. Shane Fikas 8-0

119 -- TJ Severance (W-H-N) pins Ross Dittberner 3:22

125 -- Jared Oyster (B-H-V) pins Jarod Lennox 1:42

130 -- Joeb Oyster (B-H-V) dec. Matt Fridgen 6-2

135 -- Cullen Captain (B-H-V) pins Scott Tolifson :57

140 -- Keith Bowman (B-H-V) dec. Jeff Dehrens 5-0

145 -- Dave Voeltz (B-H-V) pins Arik Bertram :36

152 -- Tyler Fuller (B-H-V) wins by forfeit

160 -- Adam Richter (B-H-V) pins Cody Rinke 3:39

171 -- Drew Schmidt (B-H-V) dec. Brandon Grimes 4-3

189 -- Brandon Arndt (W-H-N) maj. dec. Adam Becker 11-0

Hwt -- Tyler Jacobs (W-H-N) Josh Denny :08

Overall -- BHV 18-5-1. Next meet -- BHV at Osakis for individual section Feb. 22-23.

Section 7, Class 2A

Semifinals

Minnewaska 35, Aitkin 26

LONG PRAIRIE -- The sixth-seeded Aitkin Gobblers gave second-seeded Minnewaska a run for its money, but were ultimately defeated 35-26 in the Section 7, Class 2A wrestling semifinals Saturday.

The Gobblers picked up five wins beginning with B.J. Wasserzieher at 119 pounds, Jordan Keil at 125, Matt Finlayson at 130, Kyle Bender at 160 and Ryan Lake at heavyweight.

103 -- Joe Swartz (M) dec. Andrew Shavinsky 10-5

112 -- Wes Tessman (M) pins Korey Tibbetts 2:26

119 -- BJ Wasserzieher (A) maj. dec. Josh Pahan 13-8

125 -- Jordan Keil (A) pins Mark Mitchell 2:54

130 -- Matt Finlayson (A) maj. dec. Brett Braaten 15-7

135 -- Dan Noye (M) pins Jonathon Arnes 2:34

140 -- Craig Cihlar (M) pins Jason Cestreich 2:32

145 -- Cody Pelliter (M) dec. Adam Landgren 7-5

152 -- Jeremy Macho (M) dec. Mike Wagner 3-0

160 -- Kyle Bender (A) pins Matt Mitchell 2:42

171 -- Jacob Bryce (M) tech fall Josh Setzer 5:52

189 -- Nathan Stoen (M) dec. Darik Lamke 5-1

Hwt -- Ryan Lake (A) pins Derrick Anderson 4:19

Overall -- Aitkin finishes 10-6. Next meet -- Aitkin at Perham individual sections Feb. 22-23