by Coach Jacob Lorentz

  The LPGE-Browerville Wolves wrestling season capped a historic season by winning their first State Championship on February 28 in St. Paul. 

The Wolves were the top seed in the tournament and drew Section 1 Champion Goodhue in the State Quarterfinals. 

Goodhue came to wrestle and pushed the Wolves to the very end when Levi Line sealed the win for the Wolves at 220 pounds with his 9-1 major over Matthew Betcher.  The Wolves would win the dual 30-24. 

Next up, was the State Semifinal, against the third ranked and 4th seeded Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City. The Wolves had faced the Falcons earlier in the year and knew this would be a back and forth dual. The Wolves built up a big lead and clinched the dual at 170 pounds, after Gabe Pesta pinned Taylor Fester. The Wolves would win the Semifinals over ACGC 31-22. 

The final dual of the season was the State Championship match, against 3 seed Kenyon-Wanamingo. The Wolves started the dual winning nine of the first 12 matches wrestled and clinched the State Championship at 195, when Caleb Pesta won 10-4 over Owen Hilke. 

The Wolves finished their historic season with a 27-1 record, their second consecutive Park Region Conference Dual and Individual Championship, their second consecutive Section 5A Championship, and the State Championship. The Wolves finished fourth place at state one year ago. 

Landon Gode (126), Mason Gode (132), and Ted Stacey (145) were selected to the Wells Fargo All Tournament Team. Landon Gode was selected to the All-Tourney last year as well. 

I couldn’t be more proud of our wrestling program. It has taken a village and there are so many people who have helped these student athletes achieve something so rare. Thirty-three wrestlers believed in a goal and worked so hard to achieve it. It is a dream come true! . . . .

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