And then there were six

By John George

sports@eot.com

Maybe Robb Moser knew what he was talking about.

Last week, the Perham wrestling head coach said, best case scenario, the Jackets would send up to eight individuals to the Class AA State Tournament. Worst case, theyd send four.

Although the team did have a chance to send eight, the final tally came in the middle of Mosers scenarios. Six Perham wrestlers will have one more weekend to compete.

The Jackets came out of the Section 7AA Individual Tournament with a pair of individual champions, Tyler Doll at 130 pounds and Kenny Moenkedick at 171 pounds. Both are seniors and both are ranked No. 1 heading into State.

I dont think I should be the favorite, Moenkedick said. I havent won anything yet.

Well, thats not exactly true. He is 39-0 on the season.

This will be his second trip to State. He did not place a year ago.

I havent seen any of the wrestlers in my bracket, Moenkedick added. Ill just have to take it one step at a time.

Moenkedick will face Phil Heitner of Montgomery-Lonsdale/LeCentre (25-16) in the first round. He has a potential match-up with No. 2 ranked Jacob Vaith of Lake City in the semifinals.

Doll (35-3) will also be making his second individual trip to State. He finished second at 125 pounds last year.

Its be nice to get back to the finals, Doll said.

He too has a potential semifinal match-up with the No. 2 ranked wrestler-Chris Kragt of Milaca. Doll and Kragt split two regular season matches. Doll lost 1-0, then beat Kragt, 9-7.

I look forward to seeing him again, Doll said. I think Ive figured him out.

Doll will face Colt Bergendahl of Windom/Mountain Lake/Butterfield (29-12) in the first round.

Section runner-ups

Two of Perhams four section runner-ups were no surprise to advance to State. Philip Moenkedick (20-2) will be wrestling in his fourth individual State Tournament at 145 pounds. Mike Guehna (33-5) will represent Perham at 152 pounds. His second individual appearance.

I kinda know what to expect this year, Philip said.

He finished sixth last year. This year, Philip, ranked No. 5, could go up against No. 2 Chad Little of St. Michael-Albertville (37-5) in the second round. His first round opponent is Torin Erickson of Milaca (32-6).

Guehna, ranked No. 6, will have a tough road to get into championship contention. He faces No. 7 Tony Klosterboer of Montevideo (34-6) in the first round and will have either No. 1 Mike Wubbena of Fairmont or No. 2 Dan LeDuc of Thief River Falls in the second round.

Well, if I want to win it all, Id have to face these guys sooner or later, Guehna joked.

He had to win a double overtime true second match to advance this weekend.

Surprises

The two surprise entries are Sam Warne at 103 pounds and Kyle Christopherson at 215. Both won true second matches to advance.

I felt kinda bad after losing that Friday match, Warne said of the section meet. Once I got the true second match, Moser told me to calm down and I was able to win easy (11-1).

Warne (35-7) will face No. 3 Luke Schlee of GM/LO/K (33-8) in the first round.

Christopherson (18-10) is just happy to be going along for the ride.

I was floating, when he won the true second match at sections. I even shocked myself.

He will take on STMAs Kyle Schumm (33-9) in the first round.

As long as I have my craddle, Ill be fine, he said.