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| Freshman Taylor Venz (39-2) returns to state (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
The four state entrants were just part of a strong team performance by the Tigers at the Section 2AAA Championships held Friday and Saturday in Shakopee where only Prior Lake (7) and hots Shakopee (5) finished with more state qualifiers.
"Our section is one of the deepest in the state and to have the third most qualifiers is quite an achievement for our program," Tiger coach Chad Olson said..
Leading the state tourney entrants is 106-pound freshman Tyler Venz who made it to state last season as an eighth-grader. Venz captured the section title with an 8-6 win over Shakopee's Alex Lloyd in the finals.
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| Freshman Jamin LeDuc (32-2) was runner-up at 113 pounds (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
LeDuc lost to Lakeville North's Collin Degrammont 10-3 in the finals of 113-pound bracket and Hoeve dropped a hard-fought 1-0 decision to North's Lucas Westrich in the 160-pound title bout.
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| Sophomore Kyle Benjamin (19-5) second place in 132-pound weight class (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
Four other Tiger grapplers earned medals at the section meet. Sophomore Matt Rustad took fourth at 126 pounds and sophomore Brayden Chapman ranked fifth in the 138-pound bracket. Freshman Mason Hawkins (120) and senior Jamie Scavone (285) placed sixth in their respective divisions.
Venz (39-2), LeDuc (32-2), Benjamin (19-5) and Hoeve (26-14) begin state meet competition on Friday morning at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
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| Junior Joe Hoeve (26-14) state qulaifier at 160 pounds (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
