2023-24 Wrestling Season Preview

Minneota returns 10 letterwinners from a team that posted a 20-7 record a season ago, but will need some of the newcomers to step up in order to continue the team's success.
Alex DePestel is the only senior on the team this year with varsity experience. He went 25-8 a season ago and is expected to compete at 171 pounds this season.
"We have a lot of young guys that will look to build off some varsity experience from last year," said co-coach Matt Buysse. "We have a good core of wrestlers back from last year and look forward to seeing the growth throughout the season."
Matt Myrvik is again co-head coach along with Buysse.
Eli Gruenes, who qualified for the state tournament last year at 195 pounds, broke his arm in football this fall and is not expected to return to the wrestling team until after Christmas.
Two-time state entrant Adam DeVlaeminck returns after his sixth-place finish at state at 113 pounds. He went 38-7 a season ago and will start at 127 this season.
Other returning letterwinners include juniors Destin Fier (23-11) at 160 pounds, Noah Gorecki at 189, and Kyler Lozinski at 215; sophomore Kaden Lasnetski (23-15) at 114; and eighth graders Randy Sorenson at 133 and Mason Javers (9-9) at 139.
Newcomers expected to hit the varsity mat will be junior Chase Johnson at 145, sophomore Kyson Arndt at 189, and freshmen Blake Mead at 107 and Quinton Anderson at 121.
"We look forward to getting on the mat finally and competing against other teams," said Buysse. "Wrestling is a long season and we will strive to make adjustments throughout the season, so our wrestlers and team will be at its best come February.

CO-HEAD COACHES: Matt Myrvik/Matt Buysse
ASSISTANT COACHES: Kris Fier, Drew Bouwman, Brock Buysse, Chad Janiszeski, Cedric Williams Jr.
LAST YEAR: 20-7
CAPTAINS: Alex DePestel, Eli Gruenes, Destin Fier, Adam DeVlaeminck