FARGO, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The 2021 State wrestling tournament wrapped u Saturday with the state dual tournament and Bismarck picked up another state championship by defeating Valley City 70-6 in the title match.
The day started out with the Hi-Liners taking on Bismarck St. Mary’s in the quarterfinals. And the Saints jumped out early winning the first three matches to take a 10-0 lead. Logan Weiler defeated Espen Kunze 13-2 at 145. William Lengenfelder defeated Ezra Hanse 10-4 at 152. Then James Richter got by Tyson Hovland 5-4 at 160.
In the upper weights, the Hi-Liners came back to take the lead by winning four straight matches to go up 15-10. Broden Muske pinned Matt Scheer in 1:44 at 170. Jonathan Redfearn defeated Jaxyn Richter 10-8 at 182. Jonah Schuldheisz defeated Trenton Radenz 3-0 at 195. And Carson McGough defeated Nick Windsor 3-1 at 220.
Jack Weigum gave St. Mary’s it last lead when he pinned Devyn Thornton in 1:05 at 285 to make it 16-15 Saints.
But the lower weights for the Hi-Liners would take control of the dual from their. At 106, Koltyn Grebel won by major decision over Joryn Richter 12-1 to make it 19-16 Hi-Liners. Koye Grebel pinned Tyler Heen in 1:15 at 113 to put the Hi-Liners up 25-16. Logan Novara did not waste any time pinning Holden Mercer. He finished that in 32 seconds at 120 to make it 31-16. Ethan Miller defeated Colin Steidler 6-1 at 126 to make it 34-16 Valley City.
John Richter and Reece Barnhardt would get pins at 132 and 138 over Tucker Johnson and Alex Rogelstad respectively to make the final 34-28.
In the semifinals, the Hi-Liners would face Bismarck Century. Both teams knew what came next, a win means a match-up with Bismarck in the championship.
The started at 152, Ben Weigum won by tech fall over Ezra Hanse, 16-1, Patriots lead 5-0. Valley City would take the lead with wins at 160 and 170. Tyson Hovland defeated Cole Radenz 6-1 at 160 and Broden Muske pinned Dany Tanefeu in 2:47. Hi-Liners lead 9-5.
The Patroits regained the lead when Jacob Boehm defeated Jonathan Redfearn 7-6 at 182 and Cade Garcia defeated Jonah Schuldheisz 12-6 at 195 to make the score 11-9 Century.
Carson McGough would give the Hi-Liners the lead with a pin of Hunter Harvey in 2:48 at 220. The Hi-Liners were now up 15-11. The game of leap frog continued when Jacob Burkhard pinned Devyn Thornton in 48 seconds at 285 to make it 17-15 Patroits.
But the lower weights took control for the Hi-Liners. Koye Grebel defetaed Brayden Morris 13-3 at 106 to give the Hi-Liners the lead back at 19-17. Koltyn Grebel won by major decision over Ethan Kuntz 13-2 at 113, H-Liners 23, Saints 17. Logan Novara again came up with a pin in under a mimute when he stuck Blake Ersland in 59 seconds at 120 to make it 29-17. Ethan Miller would extend the lead to 32-17 when he defeated Brody Ferderer 14-9 at 126.
But back came the Patriots starting with Jacob Ersland with a tech fall over Tucker Johnson at 132 to make it 32-22 Valley City.
At 138, a win by Isaiah Schuldheisz would clinch the match. He was trailing in the match when Kaden DeCoteau elbowed Schuldheisz in the mouth breaking one of Isaiah’s teeth and exposing part of the root. The official called DeCoteau for a misconduct and awarded Schuldheisz a point. After the doctor took a look at Schuldheisz and the referees conferred, it was deemed that Schuldhiesz could not continue. By rule, since the injury was caused by an unsportsmanlike penalty, DeCoteau was disqualified and Schudleisz was given the win to make it 38-28 Hi-Liners, clinching the match.
Clay Radenz would pin Espen Kunze at 145 to make the final score 38-28 Hi-Liners. Now its off to the title match with the top ranked Demons of Bismarck High.
Bismarck showed why they are the best in the state with a dominating performance over the Hi-Liners. The Demons jumped out to a 26-0 lead and never looked back
Kaden Radenz openedd things up with a pin of Tyson Hovland in 3:58. Brock Fettig won my major decision over Broden Muske 17-4 at 170. Ben Nagel won by major decision over Jonathan Redfearn 11-1 at 182. Brandt Kringlie pinned Jonah Schuldheisz in 2:30 at 195 and Isaiah Huus pinned Jayten McConnaughey in 36 seconds at 220.
That moved Carson McGough up to 285 to face Ethan Stewart and the senior came through with a pin in 3:02 to make it 26-6. That would be as close as the Hi-Liners would get.
Koltyn Grebel lost to Ben DeForest by major decision, 14-0 at 106. In a matchup of state champs, Christian Tanefeu won by major decision over Koye Grebel 12-4 at 113 to make it 34-6.
The Demons would win by fall in each of the next six matches. Wilfried Tanefeu pinned Logan Novara in 2:48 at 120. LJ Araujo pinned Ethan Miller in 2:21 at 126. Juan Flores pinned Tucker Johnson in 3:36 at 132. Tyrus Jangula pinned Alex Rogelstad at 138 in 1:00. Parker Benz pinned Espen Kunze in 18 seconds at 145. And Isaac Peterson pinned Ezra Hanse in 5:10 at 152 to make the final 70-6 Bismarck.
It is the third straight dual state championship for the Demons, seventh in eight years and 17th in the 2000’s.
Valley City ends the season with a dual record of 23-3.Bisamrck ended 15-0.