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N.D. (NewsDakota.com)——The Carrington Cardinal’s dominated the class B field at the Fargo Dome to capture back-to-back state dual and individual team titles. The Cardinals scored convincing wins in all three dual victories, 62-12 over Bishop Ryan in the quarterfinals, 68-3 over Central Cass in the semifinals, and 57-12 over Lisbon in the championship dual. The individual side of the tournament was just as impressive for the Cardinal grapplers, scoring a state tournament record 237 team points and crowning 5 individual state champs out of 14 weight classes. The previous state scoring record was set by the Cardinals last year with 233 points.
Walker Carr (145) polished off his stellar high school career with his third state title defeating Aaron Sandy of Bishop Ryan 6-2. Carr went 7-0 at the state tourney and finishes his prep career with 236 victories, the most ever in Carrington wrestling history. Carr also won titles in 2013 and 2015, finished as a runner up in 2014 and also placed in 2012 (5 time state placer). Riley Lura (182) picked up his second state title in a 5-4 victory over Soren McDaniel of Lisbon. Lura’s victory was a repeat of last years 182 title match with McDaniel, which Lura won in double overtime. Lura finishes his outstanding high school career with 205 victories, second in Cardinal history behind Carr. Lura also became a 5 time state placer. Billy Holtan (152) captured his second state title with a 7-5 victory over Konner Beeter of Bishop Ryan. Holtan became a 4 time state placer in the process and finishes his career with 188 career wins. Holtan, Lura, and Carr will all be heading to Aberdeen, S.D. next fall to wrestle for the Northern State University Wolves.
Also winning individual titles for the Cardinals were Lucas Geiszler (120) and Bridger Anderson (170). Anderson, a junior and seeded second, defeated top seeded Jonathon Grunefelder of Napoleon/GS 7-5 in overtime to capture his first state crown. Anderson finished the season 42-7 overall. Geiszler, a freshman, came into the tournament seeded third but dominated the championship match, scoring a 8-0 major decision over top seeded Braydin Jangula, junior, from Napoleon/GS. Geiszler wrapped up his season with a 37-11 record.
Bradee Schroeder (285), junior, finished as a state runner-up for the second straight year falling 2-0 to Michael Kelly of Oakes. Kelly defeated Schroeder in 2015 title match and became a 3 time state champion. Schroeder finished the season with a 32-7 overall record.
Other Cardinal placers included Bryce Carr (138), senior, third place, defeating Nathan Weigel of Napoleon/GS by fall at 1:09. Carr was seeded fourth and finished his injury filled season with a 26-11 record. Kaden Wolsky (160), seeded eighth coming in, finished in third place for the second straight year, and only a freshman. Wolsky, after falling in the quarterfinals to eventual state champion Luke Hastings of Hillsboro/CV, stormed back in the wrestle backs and earned 8-4 decision over Cole Dauphinais of Bishop Ryan to claim third place. Wolsky finished the season with a 38-20 record. Austin Hendrickson (113), freshman, took home an eighth place finish falling 8-6 in overtime to Braedon Gumke of Watford City in the seventh place match. Hendrickson finished 27-15 overall. Tyler Hoggarth (126), junior, was seeded seventh and placed seventh scoring a 5-4 decision over Branden Burtch of Kenmare/Bowbells. Hoggarth finished with a 38-21 record. Tyrell Larson (195), senior, finished in fifth place defeating Jacob Schalesky of Hettinger/Scranton by fall at 3:37. Larson finished his season at 37-20. Jacob Copenhaver (220), senior, finished in fifth place, came in as the six seed. Copenhaver, who didn’t start his wrestling career until he was a freshman (most current wrestlers start at about age 4, 5, or 6) picked a come from behind victory over Denzel Sanders of Beulah/Hazen by fall at 3:17. Copenhaver lost in the semis to eventual state champion and seventh seeded Michael Lafferty of Pembina County North, who he had beaten a week earlier in the regional tournament. Copenhaver finishes his season at 27-19 overall. Copenhaver will be attending the University of Mary next fall and play football foe the Marauders.
Team scores:
1. Carrington 237 (state record), previous record 233 set by Carrington in 2015
2. Pembina County North 144
3. Hettinger/Scranton 135
4. Lisbon 124.5
5. Bishop Ryan 98
6. Oakes 88.5
7. Napoleon/GS 84
Team Dual Placing:
1. Carrington
2. Lisbon
3. Hettinger/Scranton
4. Central Cass
5. Bishop Ryan