Four BHVPP Raiders wrestlers headed to State: Hart, Truax, Shamp and Grabow triumphant

by Coach Michael Arvidson

Last Friday was the Section 6A Individual Tournament in Wadena. BHVPP had eleven entries vying for a top two finish and bid for the State Tournament.

David Veronen got the team started with a fall in the pigtails and the momentum rolled into the quarterfinals as the Raiders posted a 7-4 record getting wins from Adam Grabow, Mason Hoffman, Merrick Hoffman, Hudson Truax, Orran Hart, Evan Jares, and Braden Shamp.

The parity of the section really showed up in the semifinals as there were a lot of good matches with the winners guaranteeing themselves a top three finish.

Grabow made quick work moving to the finals with a fall, while the Hoffman cousins both went down in defeat to the consolation bracket. Truax picked up a major decision followed by Hart claiming a hard-fought decision to join Grabow in the championships. Jares had a big lead, but the sport can turn on a dime and a second period headlock sent him to the back side. Shamp stayed the course earning a decision as the fourth Raider advancing to the finals.

The wrestle-backs saw Logan Becker, Justin Olson, and Veronen bow out before the podium as Tanner Schulke was the only win in the consolation quarterfinals. Four in the finals and four in the wrestle-backs guaranteed a medal at the day’s end. Mason Hoffman and Jares kept the dream alive with pins while Merrick Hoffman and Schulke dropped to the 5th place matches.

So, the stage was set and it was time to declare champions and determine any true second matches....

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