The future is staring to looking bright for the Tiger wrestling program.
Farmington's ninth grade team finished second in its nine-team section and earned a berth in the state meet held last weekend at Hastings High School. At state the Tigers went 1-2, defeating Willmar 44-27 and competing well in losses to Rosemount (42-33) and Hutchinson (39-34).
"We knew we were going to have some really good young wrestlers this year," Farmington varsity coach Chad Olson said, "so we joined the league to get them more matches and experience in big tournaments. It's worked out pretty well."
Members of the state meet team included Taylor Venz (95 lbs); Kyle Benjamin (100); Jacob Gabbard (105); John Walz (112); Joe Liden (119); Jake Rudeen (125); Brian Caravantes(130); Chris McCue (135); Logan Haakana (140); Joe Hoeve (145); Sam Kealy (152) and Godfrey Mpetey (189).
Venz and Gabbard were each division champions at the section individual meet and Benjamin, Liden, Rudeen and Hoeve finished second to give Farmington six entrants in the ninth grade individual state championships slated for Saturday, Feb. 5, at Champlin Park High School.
Complete Ninth Grade State Meet Results
Farmington 44 Willmar 27.
103: Jacob Gabbard, FHS, pinned Josef Johnson, 9th, 3:32. 112: John Walz, FHS, pinned Eli Gunderson, 9th, 3:20. 119: Joe Liden, FHS, dec. Travis Deegan, 9th, 8-3. 125: Jake Rudeen, FHS, dec. Estavon Navarro, 9th, 2-0. 130: Trevor Frost, FHS, dec. Justin Shaaro, 9th, 6-4. 135: Mike Heitzman, 9th, pinned Brian Caravantes, FHS, 4:18. 140: Un Known, 9th, won by forfeit . 145: Un Known, 9th, won by forfeit . 152: Blake Krueger, 9th, dec. Sam Kealy, FHS, 2-0. 160: Joe Hoeve, FHS, pinned Kory Welgraen, 9th, 4:15. 171: Un Known, 9th, won by forfeit . 189: Godfrey Mpetey, FHS, won by forfeit . 215: Taylor Venz, FHS, pinned Noah Johnson, 9th, 4:37. 285: Kyle Benjamin, FHS, tech. fall Logan Walkow, 9th, 0:00 15-0.
Hutchinson 39 Farmington 34
103: Jacob Gabbard, FHS, won in overtime over Tyler Karl, 9th , 6-4. 112: Truston Kostelecky, 9th , dec. John Walz, FHS, 7-6. 119: Joe Liden, FHS, pinned Darnell Mateski, 9th , 3:31. 125: Jake Rudeen, FHS, dec. Logan Sondergaard, 9th , 6-0. 130: Luke Pungsack, 9th , pinned Trevor Frost, FHS, 4:19. 135: Chris Schmidt, 9th , pinned Brian Caravantes, FHS, 4:01. 140: Un Known, 9th , won by forfeit . 145: Un Known, 9th , won by forfeit . 152: Ryan Duehn, 9th , pinned Sam Kealy, FHS, 5:15. 160: Joe Hoeve, FHS, maj. dec. Gregor Fraser, 9th , 9-1. 171: Un Known, 9th , won by forfeit . 189: Godfrey Mpetey, FHS, pinned Mitch Sims, 9th , 3:49. 215: Taylor Venz, FHS, pinned Jayden Mackedanz, 9th , 4:22. 285: Kyle Benjamin, FHS, pinned Ethan Link, 9th , 5:02.
Rosemount 42 Farmington 33
103: Jacob Gabbard, FHS, dec. Connor Hagen, 9th, 5-2. 112: John Walz, FHS, dec. Ty Abbott, 9th, 7-0. 119: Jake Baker, 9th, pinned Joe Liden, FHS, 4:15. 125: Jake Rudeen, FHS, pinned Josh Payette, 9th, 4:28. 130: Grant Jockson, 9th, pinned Trevor Frost, FHS, 4:26. 135: Nick Paxson, 9th, pinned Brian Caravantes, FHS, 4:27. 140: Un Known, 9th, won by forfeit . 145: Un Known, 9th, won by forfeit . 152: Sam Kealy, FHS, won by forfeit . 160: Joe Hoeve, FHS, tech. fall Connor Busho, 9th, 0:00 18-3. 171: Un Known, 9th, won by forfeit . 189: Payton Otterdohl, 9th, pinned Godfrey Mpetey, FHS, 4:16. 215: Taylor Venz, FHS, pinned Tommy Willman, 9th, 3:16. 285: Kyle Benjamin, FHS, maj. dec. Angelo Lynn, 9th, 10-2.
