Bulldog Wrestlers Advance 4 to State Meet, Finish Section 1AA with 13 placewinners, 10 in top 4

A crazy week of weather last week, led to a crazy Section 1 tournament. The annual two day tournament held on 6 mats at the Mayo Civic Center, was forced by Mother Nature to condense into a 1 day, 8 mat wrestling marathon, with weigh-ins beginning at 7:00am and the final matches concluding about 9:30 pm. Though the format change definitely created some adversity, the PEM wrestlers were able to maintain their focus throughout the very long day. In a day filled with many highlights, senior Reed DeFrang punched his ticket to wrestle at the Xcel Center for the second year in a row. A Section Runner-Up a year ago, this year DeFrang dominated the 132 pound weight class, pinning his way through the tournament to win his 1st Section Championship.

At 182 pounds, senior Frank Wingert survived a scare in the semifinals, when he landed on his back in a tight headlock to start the match. After going down 5-0, and fighting off his back for over a minute, Frank clawed his way back into the match, eventually taking the lead 8-7. Then Frank earned his first trip to state with a 1st period pin over K-M’s Garson Schorr in the finals. This marked the first time in 7 years that PEM has had 2 Individual Section Champions.

At 160 pounds, PEM sophomore Dustin (Ducky) Dittrich earned his first trip to the state tournament with a win over #2 state ranked Chase Pomeroy of Winona in the semifinals. After surrendering the first takedown, to fall behind 2-0, at the end of the first period. In the 2nd period, Pomeroy escaped to take a commanding 3-0 lead, but Dittrich saved the period by finishing with a takedown of his own to close the gap to 3-2. Dittrich quickly tied the match at 3-3 with an escape to start the 3rd period. After 2 scrambles that nearly resulted in a takedown, Dittrich finally scored the final takedown of the match and was able to put Pomeroy on his back for 3 additional points. Though he lost in the finals to the nation’s #1 ranked wrestler, KM’s Brady Berge, Dittrich’s semifinal win was good enough to finish as a Section Runner-Up and state entrant.

At 220 pounds, PEM senior Jacob Clark took an even more exciting route to the state tournament. First, in the semifinals, in a must win match, Clark took Albert Lea’s Tanner Palmer all the way to the end of regulation with score tied at 1-1. In the 1st overtime period, again, neither wrestler was able to score a takedown. In the second overtime period, Palmer chose down, but Clark was able to hold him down for the entire 30 seconds and the score still remained tied at 1-1. Finally, in the third overtime period, Clark chose down, got the 1 point escape, and finished the period off with the first takedown of the match, and a 4-1 victory. Clark’s semifinal victory earned him a spot in the final against 2016 State Champion, Noah Ryan (KM). Clark dropped the championship match to Ryan, setting up a winner take all True Second match between Clark and LARP’s Cody Rain in one of the final matches of the evening. Rain struck first, with a single leg in the first period to take a 2-0 lead that was quickly reduced to 2-1 when Clark earned a 1st period escape. In the 2nd period, Clark nearly held Rain down for the entire period, but Rain got away in the last 30 seconds and again held a 2 point lead. Clark scored an escape to start the 3rd period, and again closed the lead to 1. Rain intelligently wrestled very cautiously and defensively throughout the 3rd period, but Clark kept coming forward with tremendous physical pressure. In a period that was littered with stoppages for blood clean-up and going out of bounds, Clark kept the pressure going forward, wearing out his opponent little by little. Then, in what was to be the last action of the night for the Bulldogs, the match was brought back to the center with a mere :16 seconds on the clock and Clark still down by a score of 3-2. With his opponent tiring, Clark gave one more surge of effort charging into his opponent, snapping him to the ground, and coming around behind to secure the takedown with only 2 seconds left on the clock and a 4-3 victory.

In addition to the heroics of DeFrang, Wingert, Dittrich, and Clark, 13 of the 14 Bulldogs won enough matches at the tournament to place in the top 6 and become a section medalist. First year varsity wrestler Connor Jones(152), and 8th grader Garrett Olson(120) each earned 6th place honors. 8th grader, Cael Marx(106) was the only Bulldog to place 5th. Freshmen, Joe Stucky(126), Riley Wingert(195), and Logan Wingert(285) all placed 4th along with sophomore Carter Marx(145), and junior Austin Rother(170). Junior, Nick Miller(113) was the Bulldog’s only 3rd place finisher, just missing a state berth. Coach Marx commented, “This was the day that we have been preparing for all season, and the wrestlers came with everything they had. It was very exciting to qualify 4 for the state tournament, 3 for their first time. Those that ended their season today have every reason to be proud of what they have accomplished.”

Pictures of this event are available HERE.

MSHSL Section 1AA Results for Plainview-Elgin-Millville 106 - Cael Marx (29-9) placed 5th Champ. Round 1 - Cael Marx (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 29-9 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Ryan Henningson (Winona-Winona Cotter) 34-7 won by decision over Cael Marx (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 29-9 (Dec 6-3) Cons. Round 2 - Cael Marx (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 29-9 received a bye () (Bye) Cons. Round 3 - Cael Marx (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 29-9 won by fall over Ty Smidt (Stewartville) 25-13 (Fall 3:43) Cons. Semi - Bennett Berge (Kasson-Mantorville) 30-12 won by decision over Cael Marx (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 29-9 (Dec 5-3) 5th Place Match - Cael Marx (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 29-9 won by major decision over Cooper Peterson (Cannon Falls) 24-11 (MD 8-0)

113 - Nick Miller (27-7) placed 3rd Champ. Round 1 - Nick Miller (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 27-7 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Nick Miller (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 27-7 won by decision over Carter Jonsgaard (Lewiston-Altura-Rushford-Peterson) 1-3 (Dec 10-5) Semifinal - Mitchel Petersen (Byron) 19-4 won by decision over Nick Miller (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 27-7 (Dec 9-2) Cons. Semi - Nick Miller (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 27-7 won by fall over Will Laures (Stewartville) 4-15 (Fall 0:34) 3rd Place Match - Nick Miller (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 27-7 won by major decision over Carter Jonsgaard (Lewiston-Altura-Rushford-Peterson) 1-3 (MD 14-1) 2nd Place Match - Mitchel Petersen (Byron) 19-4 won by rule over Nick Miller (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 27-7 (RULE)

120 - Garrett Olson (21-19) placed 6th Champ. Round 1 - Garrett Olson (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-19 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Jake Johnsrud (Albert Lea Area) 31-11 won by major decision over Garrett Olson (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-19 (MD 19-6) Cons. Round 2 - Garrett Olson (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-19 received a bye () (Bye) Cons. Round 3 - Garrett Olson (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-19 won by fall over Levi Anderson (Cannon Falls) 12-18 (Fall 1:12) Cons. Semi - Connor Stringer (Byron) 19-15 won by fall over Garrett Olson (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-19 (Fall 2:23) 5th Place Match - Evann Fabian (Winona-Winona Cotter) 26-14 won by major decision over Garrett Olson (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-19 (MD 11-0)

126 - Joe Stucky (15-12) placed 4th Champ. Round 1 - Joe Stucky (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 15-12 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Joe Stucky (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 15-12 won by fall over Xavier Riser (Lewiston-Altura-Rushford-Peterson) 22-13 (Fall 3:51) Semifinal - Gavin Ignaszewski (Albert Lea Area) 34-8 won by fall over Joe Stucky (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 15-12 (Fall 3:46) Cons. Semi - Joe Stucky (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 15-12 won by decision over Nic VanOort (Kasson-Mantorville) 20-11 (Dec 5-0) 3rd Place Match - Eli Fabian (Winona-Winona Cotter) 29-10 won in sudden victory - 1 over Joe Stucky (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 15-12 (SV-1 6-4)

132 - Reed DeFrang (34-1) placed 1st Champ. Round 1 - Reed DeFrang (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 34-1 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Reed DeFrang (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 34-1 won by fall over Reece Riebel (Lewiston-Altura-Rushford-Peterson) 10-21 (Fall 1:43) Semifinal - Reed DeFrang (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 34-1 won by fall over Austin Freerksen (Byron) 14-12 (Fall 3:52) 1st Place Match - Reed DeFrang (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 34-1 won by fall over Jack Vaselaar (Winona-Winona Cotter) 27-12 (Fall 3:32)

138 - Grant Rubin (6-12) placed 8th. Champ. Round 1 - Grant Rubin (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 6-12 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Keaten Schorr (Kasson-Mantorville) 39-3 won by fall over Grant Rubin (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 6-12 (Fall 0:49) Cons. Round 2 - Grant Rubin (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 6-12 received a bye () (Bye) Cons. Round 3 - Dominic Jenkins (Lewiston-Altura-Rushford-Peterson) 20-16 won by fall over Grant Rubin (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 6-12 (Fall 2:53)

145 - Carter Marx (19-10) placed 4th Champ. Round 1 - Carter Marx (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 19-10 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Carter Marx (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 19-10 won by decision over Chris Kline (Byron) 20-19 (Dec 8-3) Semifinal - Garrett Aldrich (Albert Lea Area) 38-4 won by major decision over Carter Marx (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 19-10 (MD 14-4) Cons. Semi - Carter Marx (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 19-10 won by fall over Trevor Pomeroy (Winona-Winona Cotter) 25-10 (Fall 0:56) 3rd Place Match - Tanner Prochaska (Stewartville) 28-11 won by decision over Carter Marx (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 19-10 (Dec 7-2)

152 - Connor Jones (9-25) placed 6th Champ. Round 1 - Connor Jones (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 9-25 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - McCoy Tekautz (Lewiston-Altura-Rushford-Peterson) 28-8 won by fall over Connor Jones (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 9-25 (Fall 2:26) Cons. Round 2 - Connor Jones (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 9-25 received a bye () (Bye) Cons. Round 3 - Connor Jones (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 9-25 won by decision over Hudson Dyke (Stewartville) 3-6 (Dec 7-4) Cons. Semi - Trent Nelson (Byron) 14-10 won by fall over Connor Jones (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 9-25 (Fall 4:00) 5th Place Match - Dylan Rohr (Cannon Falls) 16-13 won by decision over Connor Jones (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 9-25 (Dec 2-0)

160 - Dustin Dittrich (21-12) placed 2nd Champ. Round 1 - Dustin Dittrich (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-12 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Dustin Dittrich (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-12 won by fall over Henry Johnson (Cannon Falls) 3-25 (Fall 0:36) Semifinal - Dustin Dittrich (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-12 won by decision over Chase Pomeroy (Winona-Winona Cotter) 32-6 (Dec 8-3) 1st Place Match - Brady Berge (Kasson-Mantorville) 41-0 won by tech fall over Dustin Dittrich (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-12 (TF-1.5 3:34 (23-8)) 2nd Place Match - Dustin Dittrich (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-12 won by rule over Chase Pomeroy (Winona-Winona Cotter) 32-6 (RULE)

170 - Austin Rother (29-11) placed 4th Champ. Round 1 - Austin Rother (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 29-11 won by fall over Reece Ferguson (Byron) 8-19 (Fall 2:29) Quarterfinal - Austin Rother (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 29-11 won by decision over Brady Nielsen (Albert Lea Area) 21-18 (Dec 2-1) Semifinal - Patrick Kennedy (Kasson-Mantorville) 39-2 won by tech fall over Austin Rother (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 29-11 (TF-1.5 2:15 (20-5)) Cons. Semi - Austin Rother (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 29-11 won by fall over Clayton Jorgenson (La Crescent) 10-13 (Fall 0:54) 3rd Place Match - Justin Mueller (Lewiston-Altura-Rushford-Peterson) 25-8 won by fall over Austin Rother (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 29-11 (Fall 0:53)

182 - Frank Wingert (31-4) placed 1st Champ. Round 1 - Frank Wingert (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 31-4 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Frank Wingert (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 31-4 received a bye () (Bye) Semifinal - Frank Wingert (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 31-4 won by decision over Noah Herber (Lewiston-Altura-Rushford-Peterson) 15-19 (Dec 8-7) 1st Place Match - Frank Wingert (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 31-4 won by fall over Garsen Schorr (Kasson-Mantorville) 23-9 (Fall 1:57)

195 - Riley Wingert (21-16) placed 4th Champ. Round 1 - Riley Wingert (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-16 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Riley Wingert (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-16 won by fall over Will Rommes (La Crescent) 16-15 (Fall 0:55) Semifinal - Travis Capelle (Stewartville) 22-7 won by fall over Riley Wingert (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-16 (Fall 1:04) Cons. Semi - Riley Wingert (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-16 won by fall over Ryan Linde (Cannon Falls) 10-19 (Fall 3:11) 3rd Place Match - Mason Henke (Winona-Winona Cotter) 31-8 won by fall over Riley Wingert (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 21-16 (Fall 1:08)

220 - Jacob Clark (25-8) placed 2nd Champ. Round 1 - Jacob Clark (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 25-8 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Jacob Clark (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 25-8 won by fall over Shawn Mugo (Winona-Winona Cotter) 2-9 (Fall 0:30) Semifinal - Jacob Clark (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 25-8 won in tie breaker - 1 over Tanner Palmer (Albert Lea Area) 17-15 (TB-1 4-1) 1st Place Match - Noah Ryan (Kasson-Mantorville) 36-1 won by tech fall over Jacob Clark (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 25-8 (TF-1.5 3:20 (19-4)) 2nd Place Match - Jacob Clark (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 25-8 won by decision over Cody Rain (Lewiston-Altura-Rushford-Peterson) 19-8 (Dec 4-3)

285 - Logan Wingert (19-19) placed 4th Champ. Round 1 - Logan Wingert (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 19-19 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Logan Wingert (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 19-19 won by fall over Cal Prigge (Byron) 21-12 (Fall 4:26) Semifinal - Brett Paulson (Kasson-Mantorville) 30-9 won by decision over Logan Wingert (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 19-19 (Dec 5-3) Cons. Semi - Logan Wingert (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 19-19 won by fall over Logan Schindeldecker (Lewiston-Altura-Rushford-Peterson) 10-18 (Fall 5:17) 3rd Place Match - Cal Prigge (Byron) 21-12 won by fall over Logan Wingert (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) 19-19 (Fall 1:14