Wrestling State Tournament: 2024 Class A Team Recap

Chatfield left little doubt who the best team was in the Class A wrestling field during the Minnesota State High School League’s Wrestling State Tournament on Thursday night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The Gophers received the top seed and they delivered with a 47-7 victory over No. 2 Staples-Motley in the Class A championship match.

Staples-Motley, attempting to win a wrestling state championship for the first time since Staples claimed the Class A crown in 1985, was led this season by first-year coach Jim Jackson, the legendary coach and leader of the Apple Valley dynasty that captured more than a dozen state titles. He also had two championships with Shakopee and was attempting to achieve a rarity in winning a crown in different classes.

Things looked promising early for Staples-Motley as it won two of the first three matches to build a 7-3 lead. Gage Bjerga started things off with a major decision at 107, and two weights later, Eli Greenwaldt followed with a decision. But the Gophers answered in dominant fashion with 11 consecutive victories, keyed by Hunter Polikowsky’s 7-2 decision over Jack Carlson.

Along the way, Chatfield left little doubt in closing out their first championship run since 2014 with three pins and two technical falls to ignite the victory celebration.

Earlier, Chatfield trailed early in its semifinal dual with Jackson County Central, but a 22-0 run from 121 pounds through 145 created a lead and separation that couldn’t be matched en route to a 49-12 victory.

In the other semifinal, Staples-Motley overwhelmed Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa with bonus points in the first six matches to post a 38-21 victory.

Third place

Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, the Section 5A champion, finished its season with two victories in the Class A tournament to claim the third-place trophy with a 36-34 victory over Jackson County Central. Gilbert Hanson capped the season’s victory with a pin at heavyweight over Jackson County Central’s Michael Hansen in 1:15.

Consolation

Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial Area won seven of the final eight weights to race to a 34-18 victory over United North Central in the consolation final. Parker Kramm started the run with a victory at 139 and it ended with a decision by Mason Adams at 215.