With five state place-winners, 21 other state entrants and five state-ranked teams, there is little question that Saturday's Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverine Invitational is one of the toughest tournaments in the state.
With the new section alignments, this year's tournament will also go a long way toward determining who will be the early season favorite in Section 8AA. Perham enters the tournament ranked second, Thief River Falls ninth, and last year's surprise team Pequot Lakes/Pine River Backus is lean and mean according to "The Guillotine."
Perham returns state place-winners Sam Warne (fifth last year at 112) and Mac Stoll (sixth at 160). Along with these two fine wrestlers the Jackets are led by state entrants; Jacob Werner (currently ranked fifth at 125), Joe Berns (10th at 130), Barry Nelsen (ninth at 140), Dwight Jenne (sixth at 145), Nate Schmitz (not ranked), and Casey Sazama (third at 215). Additionally, Perham has added Isaac Werner from Aitkin who is currently ranked fifth at 112. Andrew Gorentz rounds out Perham's outstanding lineup ranked fourth at 103. The Jackets finished second place in Class AA last season.
The Prowlers of Thief River Falls are coming off their first state tournament entry as a team last season. They also return plenty of outstanding wrestlers. Steve Keogh finished the state tournament in sixth place last season at 119. He is ranked fifth at 130. Kyle Leduc (ranked sixth at 112), Jordan Engen (eighth at 135), Kevin Fynboh (eighth at 145), and Travis Peralta (fourth at 171) round out Thief River Falls' returning state entrants. Chaz Abrahamson is also ranked seventh at 103 for the Prowlers.
Pequot Lakes/Pine River Backus came on very strong last year and nearly upended Perham in the Section 7AA finals. They return state entrants Cody Schrupp (unranked), Nic Harrison (unranked), and Nathan Waslawskli (ranked fifth at 140). Look for the Road Crew to also contend for this year's tournament title.
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The always tough Greenbush-Middle River Badger Gators are ranked ninth in Class A. The Gators are led by state placer Tanner Pierce (third at 152 last year). Other returning state entrants and their rankings are Storm Booe (unranked) and Eli Jensen (seventh at 140). Also ranked for the Gators are Cody Brazier (10th at 130), Aaron Brazier (seventh at 135), and Trevor Ingle (eighth at 152).
Bertha Hewitt-Verndale returns five state entrants and is in the Lean and Mean ranking for Class A. Ethan Kern placed third at 112. Zak Lambert is currently ranked seventh at 125 and is a former state placewinner. Jake Braaten (ninth at 145) Sam Moenkedick (ranked fifth at 152), and Matt Moenkedick (fifth at 160) also represented the Raiders at the state meet last season. Wade Moenkedick is ranked 10th at 171 for BHV.
The home WDC Wolverines are led by two-time state entrant Tony Wegscheid who is currently unranked at 189. Trey VanOrsdel was a state entrant as a sophomore and looks to return to the state meet this season. Matt Hagen moved to WDC from New York Mills where he finished 20-5 last season. Jordan Rentz returns at 112 after placing third in the section at 103 last season.
Sauk Centre returns sophomore state entrant John Gusewelle, while Long Prairie/Grey Eagle has Dan Schad ranked ninth at 152.
Wrestling will start at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Wadena-Deer Creek High School Gymnasium.
