Gator Take Eight, Bring Home Two Medals

By: Ryan Bergeron
        
  Following a great fourth place finish in the team portion of the state tournament on Thursday, the Gators looked to get some rest and carry that success into the individual tournament, which took place on Friday and Saturday. The Gators had a rollercoaster ride during the individual tournament, having many highs and many lows, but in the end they brought home two state medals in Tejay Wojchowski (170), sixth, and Alex Yeager (285), second. Coach Bergeron commented on the individual portion of the state tournament,” It was a battle with many highs and lows, many of our kids left their hearts on the mat. Down at the state tournament one big move can win you and match and one small mistake can cost you a match.”
          
 At 113, Devin Dostal was the Gators first qualifier, going to his first state tournament as an eighth grader, and showing much promise. After getting caught and pinned by Mitch Steffens of Wadena-Deer Creek in his first match, Devin was fortunate enough to get another match, and he didn’t waste it.  Devin defeated Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City’s Tyler Berghuis, a sixth place finisher a year ago, gaining a takedown in the final period and riding him out to win 2-1. Devin fell one match short of placing, falling to Medford’s Tyler Keller, a fifth place finisher a year ago, by a 4-1 decision. Way to go Devin on a successful 34-12 season!
         
 At 120, Isaac Novacek, the second Gator qualifier, was in one of the toughest sides of the state tournament, with two previous state champions in Isaac ( ranked #2) and Mitchel Lexvold of Kenyon-Wanamingo (ranked #1), and Tanner Mills of Kimball Area (ranked #3). Isaac won his first match, pinning Bryon Forstner of Madelia-Truman at the 2:47 mark. This moved Isaac into the quarterfinals between Mitchel Lexvold, also a former state champ, where Isaac fell behind early and lost by a 6-2 decision. Isaac came back in the first consolation round, defeating Minneota’s Nick Esping by a dominating 18-5 major decision. Isaac then matched up with a tough Tanner Mills, where he got out to an early lead, but Mills came back and took a lead of his own. In desperation mode, Isaac tried everything to come back and perhaps turn Mills, but wasn’t able to, and fell in heartbreaking fashion. Isaac has nothing to be ashamed about, as he had an awesome career, compiling the third most victories in Gator wrestling history, being a five-time state qualifier, placing sixth, third, and first at the state tournament, and going 44-2 this season.  He was a very dedicated and hard-working athlete, making those around him better, as, from personal experience, I know I wouldn’t have made it to the state tourney without him. He was a great senior leader that will surely be missed next season.
         
 The Gators next individual qualifier, Brandon Waage at 126, didn’t place, but did get some valuable mat time, winning a match down there. Brandon fell in his first match to the eventual third place finisher, Dylan Herman of United South Central, by a 9-0 score. Brandon fortunately got a second match, taking on Saint James’ Isaac Carreon, getting out to an 8-0 lead, and hanging on to the win after getting reversed and put to his back by an 8-5 decision. Brandon also fell one match short of placing, falling to Border West’s Gus McCarthy, the eventual fourth place finisher. Way to Brandon on a successful 34-10 season!  
          
 At 132, Corey Hasbrouck was another Gator qualifier, making it to the state tournament as the five seed in sections, defeating the four, one, and three seeds in route to a section title, a feat showing that  the amount of wins and losses doesn’t matter, but instead the amount of heart. Corey didn’t place at state, losing to Atwater-Cosmos Grove City’s Logan Peterson in his only match, as Peterson lost his next match, but Corey will forward to getting better next year and possibly make it to state again. Congrats Corey on a successful season, winning a section title!
         
 The next Gator state qualifier was Tomm Ingle at 160, who didn’t place down at state but wrestled hard and got some valuable mat time. Tomm wrestled his opening match against a tough Stephen Erlandson, the eventual third place finisher, of Breckenridge/Campbell-Tintah, and was unfortunately pinned by Erlandson. Tomm fortunately got another match, facing off against eventual fourth place finisher, Adam Joseph of Kimball Area, and wrestled hard, never giving up, but eventually fell to Joseph by an 11-3 score. Way to go Tomm on a great 37-10 season!
           
The Gators’ sixth state qualifier, Gator senior Tejay Wojchowski, wrestled hard down at state, finishing in sixth place. His first round match was against third ranked Nathan Tomala of Pierz, where Tejay led 3-2 late in the third period before Tomala tried desperately to come back, but Tejay caught and pinned him with four seconds left in the match for his 100th career victory. This win placed him in the quarterfinals, where he dominated throughout, beating Dillon Downes by a 12-0 major decision. This win secured a state placing for Tejay, moving him into the semifinals against Travis Schiefelbein of Kimball Area. Tejay trailed 2-1 late in the third period, and continued to go after Schiefelbein , but was unable to get the match-winning takedown and fell by the 2-1 score. After falling to the eventual third place finisher, Partrick Rooney of Belgrade-Brooten- Elrosa, by a 5-2 score, Tejay faced a familiar foe in Nathan Tomala for fifth place honors. Tejay held a 4-3 lead over Tomala with seven seconds remaining, but Tomala rolled and reversed him, and Tejay fell by a 5-4 score; finishing in sixth place at 170. Congrats to Tejay on a great career, making the medal stand, reaching 101 victories, and having a 37-7 record; he was a great senior captain that will be missed.
           
Timm Ingle was another of the Gators state qualifiers, not placing but coming very close to winning a match, where he took on Kimball Area’s Travis Wills at 182 pounds. With Timm down by a 4-3 score, he tried desperately to come back in the third period, trying to throw Wills, but Wills got the takedown and Ingle fell by a 6-3 score. Unfortunately, Timm wouldn’t get another match with Wills losing his next match, but he will get one more shot to get on the medal stand, and hopefully he takes advantage of it. Congrats Timm on a successful 20-4 season and a section championship!
           
The final state qualifier for the Gators was senior, Alex Yeager, who was trying to return for a second consecutive state title. After gaining a pin over Tyler Jensen of Benson in one minute, Yeager moved on to the quarterfinals in a match that will be remembered forever. With Alex down 10-2 late in the third period to River Valley’s Lance Briard, he got an escape and a stalling point to cut the score to 10-4. With just under 20 seconds and now only being able to win by pin, Alex threw Briard to his back and tightened the pinning combination with a headlock to pin Briared with just two seconds remaining. After this thrilling come-from-behind victory, Alex took on second ranked Colin Turchin of Bertha- Hewitt/Verndale in the semifinals. Alex controlled the match from the get-go, pinning Turchin at the 3:26 mark to move on to the finals against Paynesville Area’s Dominick Platow. Trailing 1-0, heading into the final period, Alex looked to possibly pull off another come-from- behind victory, choosing to go on top for a second consecutive period. As Alex was trying to turn him, Platow rolled through and reversed Yeager, putting him on his back and pinning him toward the edge of the mat with thirty seconds left in the match. Even though Yeager wasn’t able to repeat, which is a hard thing to do, he still has much to be proud, finishing second twice and first once at the state tournament, becoming fourth all time on the Gator wrestling winning list, and getting 139 career pins. Alex’s presence at the end of the lineup and in the wrestling room will definitely be missed next season. Congrats Alex on the second place finish and a stellar 39-3 record!
           
Another season has gone by, but the memories made during this season will remain forever. A huge thank you needs to be given  to all the fans, coaches, managers, cheerleaders, wrestlers, and the many others who made his season a fun and successful one. Also a nice farewell needs to be given to Gator senior wrestler Brendon Dostal ,as well as Gator manager, Chelsea Booe, both of them and the rest of the seniors will be missed, and good luck to all of them in the future. Congrats on a successful and memorable season for the Gators, Section 8A champions and fourth place state team finishers. From the words of assistant coach, Josh Kern, “Who’s year?” The answer to that question, “our year,” is so true for the Gators, as it definitely was their year!  GO GATORS!