Minneota wrestlers impress in elite Rogers tournament

Zack Fier placed second at 160 pounds and Minneota placed 12th among 36 teams despite having only six varsity wrestlers compete in the Rogers Holiday Matness Tournament last Thursday and Friday.
This marked the first competition of the season for the wrestlers, who got off to a late start due to the football team reaching and winning the state championship.
“i thought we wrestled really well because of the level of competition at this tournament and only having a few practices coming in,” said Minneota co-coach Matt Myrvik. “You don’t normally see a team place that high with only six guys wrestling.”
Also placing for the Vikings was Adam DeVlaeminck, fourth at 113 pounds; Peyton Gillund, sixth at 138 pounds; and Eli Gruenes, eighth at 182 pounds.
“At 138 pounds, for example, there were 10 state entrants from different classes,” Myrvik said. “So, there were many state entrants wrestlers that did not even place at this tournament.”
Kaden Lasnetski made his varsity debut and won his first match at 106 pounds. He finished 1-2.“This is only Kaden’s second year of wrestling and he has improved in a lot of areas already,” Myrvik noted. “He will have a bright future.”
DeVlaeminck, a state qualifier last season, went 3-2 to earn the team 16 points.
“Adam had a great tournament and looks to improve on his season from last year,” said Myrvik. “He really is a fun kid to coach; one who is always pressing the action and doing what is best for the team.”
Gillund, who was also a state entrant a season ago, went 3-3 in a tough weight class to earn 11 points.
“He really battled both days,” Myrvik said. “He probably had the most loaded bracket of anyone. We really look forward to seeing that he will do this season.”
Destin Fier went 3-2 to notch nine points for the Vikings at 152 pounds.
“Destin had an outstanding tournament after missing out on most of the last season due to injury,” said Myrvik. “He wrestled a great match with the No. 2-rated Class AA wrestler from Princeton. We look forward to what he can add to our team.”
Zack Fier, who placed fourth at state each of the past two seasons, won four of five matches to earn 24 team points.
“Zack wrestled some really smart matches and he made the finals at 160 where there were 10 ranked wrestlers in his weight class,” said Myrvik.
Fier, wrestling the top-ranked Class A wrestler Gavin Gust (14-0) of Dover-Eyota in the championship, led 1-0 entering the third period before falling 4-1.
Gruenes went 2-3 for eight team points.
“Eli wrestled really well and is working on what type of wrestler he will be,” Myrvik said. “As the tournament went on, he gained confidence and really improved on his feet.”

Minneota individual results
106 pounds: KADEN LASNETSKI - lost 15-5 decision to Allen Krenik, Scott West ... bye ... won 6-0 decision over Alex Gau, Champlin Park ... was pinned by Pierce Wegleitner, Blaine.

113 pounds: ADAM DEVLAEMINCK - bye ... pinned Jacob DeMarais, Foley, :28 ... won 7-4 decision over Cam Tousignant, Scott West ... was pinned by Brandon Board, Andover, 1:52 ... won 5-3 overtime decision over Abram Anderson, Rosemount ... was pinned by Levi Thompson, Princeton, 1:03 ... 4th place

138 pounds: PEYTON GILLUND - bye ... pinned Zachary Olson, Farmington, :47 ... was pinned by Parker Janssen, St. Michael-Albertville, 1:05 ... won 7-2 decision over Cristian Neville, Rosemount ... won 4-3 decision over Jacob Dessner, Dover-Eyota ... lost 11-2 major decision to Landen Kujawa, Becker ... lost 6-2 decision to Landon Umbreit, Rush City-Braham ... 6th place

152 pounds: DESTIN FIER - pinned Oliver Ollman, Anoka. :48 ... lost 8-3 decision to Ethan Ballweber, Princeton ... pinned Antonio Garcia, Austin, :51 ... won 10-2 major decision over Tyler Sullivan, Farmington ... was pinned by Ian Haueter, Apple Valley, 1:20

160 pounds: ZACK FIER - won 11-6 decision over Brayden Hilyar, Elk River ... pinned Edon Davis, Farmington, 3:34 ... pinned Garrin Wilson, Austin, 2:46 ... won 2-1 ultimate tiebreaker over Ty Cassidy, Rogers ... lost 4-1 decision to Gavin Gust, Dover-Eyota ... 2nd place

182 pounds: ELI GRUENES - bye ... lost 9-1 major decision to Will Schultz III, Princeton ... bye ... pinned Jackson Halko, White Bear Lake, 1:58 ... won 6-4 decision over Andrew Wendt, Dover-Eyota ... was pinned by Brian Thilges, Mankato East, 4:44 ... lost 7-0 decision to Tristan Holbrook, Scott West ... 8th place

Top 12 teams
(1) St. Michael-Albertville 206 (2) Dover-Eyota 172.5 (3) Princeton 153.5 (4) Scott West 147 (5)Becker 137 (6) tie, Apple Valley and Prior Lake, each 125.5 (8) Andover 108 (9) Foley 84.5 (10) Farmington 79 (11) Anoka 73 (12) Minneota 68