Twenty-two area wrestlers prepare for state

By BOB VARMETTE

Journal Sports Writer

ST. PAUL -- The controlled chaos that is the Minnesota state wrestling tournament was just one day away. Wednesday afternoon, all the individuals and team who have earned what they worked all season for filed into the Xcel Energy Center.

There were important things to do, like skin checks and weigh-ins. It was also a time for some gawking, and some just plain-old messing around, like running up and down all the steps to the concourse level.

Today, it all becomes very serious. Twenty-two area wrestlers will start the final chase for what they have been chasing since the first practice back in November -- a state individual title.

The first-time participants are generally a little more light-hearted. Not so Red Rock Central/Westbrook-Walnut Grove's Austin Scarset.

Scarset, the Falcons' 135-pounder is making his fourth appearance in the Class 2A state individual tournament. He's a past state champion, winning at 125 pounds his sophomore year.

He wants to get something off his back.

"I've had something on my back since last year," Scarset said. "His name is Ryan King and I plan on getting him off my back Friday."

Scarset finished second at 130 pounds in last year's state tournament. He lost to King in the championship match 9-8.

Ever since, his goal has been a rematch with King. The two will likely meet Friday evening.

"Austin's obsessed and very dedicated," RRC/WWG coach Paul Olson said. "Ever since last year's state tournament, he's been lifting and running every day. He's been thinking about nothing but Ryan King. He even went down a weight class so he could be at the same weight."

Also competing at the state tournament for the Falcons will be Michael Barrie at 112 pounds, Jeff Cooley at 130 pounds and Tim Johnson at heavyweight. Both Barrie and Johnson are making their first appearances. Cooley, like Scarset, is in his fourth state tournament -- he finished second as an eighth-grader at 103 pounds in his first state tournament appearance.

Sibley East coach Rod Tollefson is no stranger to the state tournament. He was here as an assistant just last year when the Wolverines qualified for the Class 1A team tournament under then-head coach Mel Cain. This may be his first state tournament as the man in charge, but Tollefson was nothing but smiles Wednesday afternoon.

"It's exciting, it's going to be a good time," Tollefson said. "I had a chance to come up here my senior year and it's something you never forget. These kids have worked hard and deserve it and I hope they have a good time."

Sibley East will have three wrestlers competing at this year's tournament. Erik Wallace will wrestle at 145 pounds, Sam Britt at 152 pounds and Andrew Streich at 171 pounds.

Madelia/Truman will have four wrestlers going after titles when the Class 1A individual matches begin at 8 a.m. today. Brandon Greiner will wrestle at 103 pounds, Jason Forstner 130, Adam Leiferman 140 and Marc Eytcheson at 160 pounds.

Wabasso will have five wrestlers chasing individual titles after the team was edged out by Bird Island-Olivia-Lake Lillian District in the Section 4-1A team tournament. Brandon Schunk at 103 pounds, Nathan Rohlik at 125, Cole Altermatt at 135, Brandon Irlbeck at 145 and Steven Wood at heavyweight will also be wrestling at 8 a.m. today.

The Nicollet Raiders have three wrestlers in the tournament. Matt Allerson at 135 pounds and Kyle Asleson at 189 pounds are both making their second tournament appearances; Raiders' 160-pounder Jamie Wagner is making his first appearance.

"It's just an awesome experience," said Wagner, who is ranked fourth in the state. "I just want to wrestle the best that I can. I want to see what I can do, possibly place. That's what I'm looking for."

Allerson qualified for the state tournament as a 112-pounder two years ago. Having been here before has its advantages, and this time he wants to make use of it.

"I kind of would like to place," Allerson said. "Last time it was more just fun to be here. It's still fun to be here, but this time it's a little different."

Asleson earned a state trip last year at 171 pounds. He said he's felt the pressure this season to get back, but that it's been offset by having the experience gained from his previous tournament matches.

It's a little more mellow, I'm not as nervous," Asleson said. "Last year, it was kind of like, 'I finally made it.' I guess the whole year there was kind of pressure to get back here because people were expecting me to."

Said Nicollet coach Steve Johnson: "I think Wagner and Asleson are looking at placing high. They've been ranked during the season by The Guillotine so they're both going in with high hopes. I think Matt Allerson is coming with more of an attitude to just give it all he's got and see what happens. ... He's going in as kind of a surprise."

New Ulm High has two wrestlers in this year's tournament. Both Nate Gieseke at 125 pounds and Andy Bernard at 189 pounds will be wrestling in their second state individual tournament.

Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop/McLeod West qualified one wrestler. Todd Sievert will be wrestling at 112 pounds.