Three Tigers bring home state medals

Jamin LeDuc

Last winter Taylor Venz won  the Class AA 106-pound state title and Jamin LeDuc reached the medal stand for his sixth place finish in the 113-pound division.

The 2014 state finals didn't produce a Tiger champion but it did mark Farmington's best-ever overall performance at state with three Tigers finishing among the top four in their respective weight classes.

"The program has never had three place winners in the same year," Tiger coach Chad Olson said. 
"We finished ninth overall in the team points. It is a great way to finish a very successful year."

LeDuc lead the way this time, cruising to three lopsided wins before losing a hard-luck 10-7 verdict to Lakeville North's Wade Sullivan in the 113-pound title match. LeDuc, who finished his sophomore season with a 38-6 record, defeated his first three opponents by a combined score of 29-0.

"To get to the state tournament and shut out your first three opponents is dominating," Olson said.

"I know Jamin's goal all season was to be a state champ and it is always heart-breaking to see your athlete come so close. Jamin had one of the best seasons in program history."

Sophomore Venz (36-9), who wrestled up three weight classes this season, won won four of five matches to take third place in the 126-pound bracket. The former state champ easily won his first two matches before losing to eventual runner-up George Farmar of Eastview in the semifinals. From there he rallied for two more victories, defeating Travis Swanson of Cambridge-Isanti in the third place bout.

Taylor Venz

"Taylor had another great state tourney," Olson said. "His win in the the third place match was over the second-ranked wrestler who had beaten him earlier this year....He is now a three-time state entrant and two-time place winner."

Joe Hoeve

Hoeve (37-8), making his second trip to state, followed a similar trail to that of Venz, winning his first two contests at 182 pounds before dropping a 6-3 verdict to meet runner-up TJ O'Hara of Tartan. Hoeve then beat Mound-Westonka's Bryan Tierney 2-1 before losing to once-beaten Kade Carlson of Bemidji in the third place match.

"Joe wrestled the best he has this year," Olson said. "He lost to the No. 2 and  No. 3 ranked wrestlers.  Joe finished his career with 113 career wins. He is going to be hard to replace."

Two other Tigers wrestled at state. Victor Gliva drew the short straw in the 106-pound division and had to wrestle unbeaten Brent Jones of Shakopee who went on the win the state title. Gliva was eliminated by St. Michael-Albertville's Aaron Dick in the wrestlebacks. Dick went on to place fifth.

Benjamin also received a tough draw and lost 5-0 to Carlson Brolsma of Osseo who went on to finish second in the 145-pound bracket. Benjamin lost in the first round of wrestlebacks to Brock Morgan of Apple Valley who eventually took third place.

"Victor wrestled his best two matches of the year with a couple of tough draws," Olson said, "and Kyle was a takedown away from beating the AV wrestler. He is right there with the best in the state."