As for the Knights from WCAABE and their state tournament it may be best summed up like this...if anyone has ever listened to the wrestling radio show on KKOK put on by the infamous duo of Ron Erickson and Don Metz, they will understand the phrase that happens when the pair get rocking during intense times. It goes something like this “WOW, WOW, Yikes, WOW!” Ron and Don will only bring that out when a moment of magnitude hits, and it was a sure bet that they used it to explain several moments while covering the Knights wrestling last weekend.

The Knights began their State journey in team action. Seeded 5th in the tournament they were paired up with the 4th seed and defending state champs, the Kimball Area Cubs. The Knights scored early and held a lead that after 170 lbs. had grown to a what seemed a comfortable 31-19 difference. The Cubs came roaring back like a full grown bear as in just three matches they had erased the WCAABE lead and gained control for themselves. Following the 220 lb match the Cubs were winning 33-31. Senior Colton Lindquist took the mat at heavyweight and ground out a hard earned overtime decision that gave the Knights the three points they needed to edge past the Cubs, 34-33.

#5 WCAABE 34, #4 Kimball Area 33
106: Owen Gruchow (WCAABE) defeated Connor Carlson per fall :28.
113: #10 Mark Shiefelbein (KIA) defeated Carter Lohse per major decision 9-1.
120: Adam Lohse (WCAABE) defeated William Serbus per fall :59.
126: Jack Bollman (KIA) defeated Mason Richter per fall 1:04.
132: #7 Hunter Gruchow (WCAABE) defeated Blake Brutger per fall 3:51.
138: Solomon Wales (WCAABE) defeated #9 Lucas Jurek per decision 4-2.
145: #10 Gavin Winter (KIA) defeated Ezekiel Sieckert per fall :39.
152: #8 Reubens Swanson (WCAABE) defeated Caden Guggisberg per major decision 18-6.
160: Logan Kuseske (KIA) defeated #9 Ashton Danner per overtime decision 3-1.
170: #3 Anthony Sykora (WCAABE) defeated Hank Meyer per fall :22.
182: #1 Ashton Hanan (KIA) defeated Beau Robinson per major decision 12-0.
195: #9 Haden Rosenow (KIA) defeated Will Rustan per major decision 12-2.
220: #1 Carter Holz (KIA) defeated Justin Blascyk per fall :42.
285: #4 Colton Lindquist (WCAABE) defeated Ace Meyer per overtime decision 3-1.

#1 Jackson County Central 41, #5 WCAABE 27
106: Owen Gruchow (WCAABE) defeated Isaac Rodriguez per fall :45.
113: #1 Nolan Ambrose (JCC) defeated Carter Lohse per fall 1:16.
120: #2 Kie Anderson (JCC) defeated Adam Lohse per fall 1:05.
126: Mason Richter (WCAABE) defeated Landon Andrews per fall 1:45.
132: #3 Logan Butzon (JCC) defeated #7 Hunter Gruchow per decision 12-7.
138: #5 Thomas Freking (JCC) defeated Solomon Wales per decision 4-3.
145: #8 Reubens Swanson (WCAABE) defeated Dylan Withers per decision 4-2.
152: #9 Ashton Danner (WCAABE) defeated Isaiah Rodiguez per decision16-14.
160: #1 Payton Handevidt (JCC) defeated Jeremy Blascyk per technical fall 19-4.
170: #3 Anthony Sykora (WCAABE) defeated #8 Matthew Haley per decision 6-1.
182: #3 Caleb Vancura (JCC) defeated Gavin Flint per fall :57.
195: #4 William Freking (JCC) defeated Beau Robinsion per fall 5:47.
220: #4 Colton Lindquist (WCAABE) defeated Trace Michelson per fall 3:28.
285: #8 Cameron Scholten (JCC) defeated Tyler Stone per fall 4:25.

The 3rd place match was against a red hot Dover-Eyota Eagles Team. DE had dispatched the 2nd seed BBE squad in the first round and lost a close 34-33 decision to Royalton-Upsala in the semis. The dual began with a pair of falls out of Owen Gruchow and Carter Lohse. The Eagles returned the favor with a pair of pins of their own. Hunter Gruchow and Solomon Wales posted a pin and a decision edging the Knights back out front 21-12. Inside of the next three matches the Eagles did not just close the gap they flew past the Knights and WCAABE found themselves in a hole after 160 lb down 28-21. Sykora gave the Knights a few bonus points and closed the gap with a tech fall. Robinson wrestled another good match at 182 lb which resulted in a decision and more importantly the lead by way of 29-28. D-E was not ready to concede and answered immediately with a decision of their own. With just a pair of matches remaining the Knights were now down by two. Colton Lindquist once again came through as his picked up his third win of the day and after his decision he had given his team the chance they required to have a shot at a win. The match would be won at heavyweight. The score was 32-31 in the Knights favor but a victory of any kind from either team would salt it away. One team was going to win its final match of the year and the other would go home with a bad taste in the mouth, nobody wants to lose the last one. Justin Blascyk took the mat and the crowd for both the Knights and Eagles took to their feet. Even the official of the match added to the drama as he pumped his hands to the audience, sending both sides into a fevered pitch. Blascyk wrestled for all six minutes in a deafening noise and when the match had ended his 5-2 decision had given his team the victory. He and his squad hoisted the teams third place trophy, the best finish for the Knights in 26 years. Ron and Don screamed out “Wow, Wow, Yikes, Wow” over the air lines to Knight Nation.

3-0 team wrestlers on the day for the Knights included Owen Gruchow, Anthony Sykora and Colton Lindquist. Wrestlers reaching a 2-1 record for the Knights were Hunter Gruchow, Solomon Wales and Reubens Swanson. Wrestlers adding a victory on the day include Carter Lohse, Adam Lohse, Mason Richter, Ashton Danner, Beau Robinson and Justin Blascyk. Owen Gruchow and Anthony Sykora were chosen to the Wells Fargo All-Tournament Team.

The blood or medaling round took out both remaining seniors. Reubens and Colton were eliminated. It was a sobering moment watching each senior make his way off the mat for the last time. Thank you to both for all of your contributions to Knight wrestling. Colton was awarded the Academic All-State honors at the event and in his State appearance had earned his 125th career victory.

The Knights were down to two remaining wrestlers and both advanced the round. Hunter Gruchow battled his way into the medal rounds and on the top side of the bracket Anthony Sykora ate up the #1 ranked wrestler in the state during his semi-final match.

Gruchow gave it his all in the consolation placement and 5th place matches. He finished his state appearance representing the 132 lb class as its 6th best wrestler in the land. During his tournament Hunter earned his 75th career victory and 50th career pin. Congratulation Hunter, you have done us all proud and represented your team well. Knowing Hunter personally, it is quite safe to say he is not satisfied. Perhaps happy for now but I’d bet the farm that says he is coming for more and his next weight class had best be wary.

The semi-final dual pitted the Knights with the #1 seeded Jackson County Central Huskies. The Huskies are a devastating wrestling team. It was just a month prior that they dismantled the then #1 ranked BBE Jaguars. There were few people in the room that gave the Knights a chance with the powerhouse Huskies but as Coach Brandon Gruchow said, ”Opinions do not matter in wrestling...results do. We preach to our wrestlers that everyone is beatable. If you believe in opinions or rankings then whats the point of competing. Being prepared physically, mentally and emotionally is what matters. Having a great attitude matters.” Coach Gruchow must have fed his Knights a giant dose of his theory because once the match was under way and several bouts in, the Huskies realized the Knights were not here to survive, they were in it to win it. The two teams traded pins and wins like a pair of heavyweight boxers trading haymakers. The Knights had maneuvered a virtual minefield of nasty Huskies that prior to 152 lbs had consisted of wrestlers ranked, #1,2,3, and 5. But even after that firepower WCAABE had the dual tied up at 18 apiece. It was on! JCC brought out a two time state champ at 160 and Gruchow gave freshman Jeremy Blascyk an opportunity at state with a big mission...do not get pinned. Blascyk obliged as he battled the #1 ranked opponent hard. In the end Jeremy did his job, he fought off constant pinning attempts and although he succumbed to a tech fall it took all but 14 seconds to do it. The effort was valiant. The Knights Anthony Sykora took out a JCC heavy hitter as he gained a decision on his #8 ranked foe and kept the score close. Following 170 lb it was 23-21. The Knights jockeyed the lineup trying to gain position on possible match-ups. The Huskies gathered a fall at 182 lbs and extended their lead. Beau Robinson took the mat at 195 lbs, he found himself matched up with a #4 ranked opponent. The match was good, Beau wrestled one of his best all season, in fact he had his mans shoulders flat after a lateral drop but could not get the much needed fall. With just 13 seconds left in the match the JCC wrestler got Robinson out of position and turned the match and dual as he got Beaus shoulders on the canvas. The teams split a pair of falls to end the dual. The Huskies won 41-27 but the Knights had given them everything they wanted and it is not an exaggeration is stating...had them on the ropes.

3rd Place Match #5 WCAABE 35, #6 Dover-Eyota 31
106: Owen Gruchow (WCAABE) defeated Bronson Shea per fall :46.
113: Carter Lohse (WCAABE) defeated Caden Haag per fal 2:16.
120: Devon Bye (DE) defeated Adam Lohse per fall 1:55.
126: #8 Bolton Thesing (DE) defeated Mason Richter per fall 4:57.
132: #7 Hunter Gruchow (WCAABE) defeated Grady Eaton per fall 3:31.
138: Solomon Wales (WCAABE) defeated Jacob Dessner per decision 5-0.
145: #3 Brodie Kellen (DE) defeated #8 Reubens Swanson per fall 4:43.
152: #4 Gavin Gust (DE) defeated Ezekiel Sieckert per fall :45.
160: #10 Treyton Thesing (DE) defeated #9 Ashton Danner per major decision 9-1.170: #3 Anthony Sykora (WCAABE) defeated Landon Lehnertz per technical fall 20-5.
182: Beau Robinson (WCAABE) defeated Aidan Gasper per decision 6-4.
195: Tyler Mix (DE) defeated Will Rustan per decision 11-5.
220: #4 Colton Lindquist (WCAABE) defeated #9 Jackson Deullman per decision 7-4.
285: Justin Blascyk (WCAABE) defeated Addison Honsey per decision 5-2.

Individual action for the Knights came in the form of eight wrestlers. Every grappler in each of the 14 weight classes had best be very proud to be in the event. They have proved just by being there that they belong amongst the best. But, as with all tournaments there can only be one winner and at the Grand-Daddy of Minnesota competition the level of ability in the brackets is astounding. Each round eliminates entrants, the talent finds a way, and in the end only one gets his hand raised and earns the gold.

The first round found half of the Knights taking a loss and three of them did not get a second opportunity. Solomon Wales, Ashton Danner and Will Rustan were eliminated. Beau Robinson was given a second match when his man won his second bout but was overcome in the first round of consolation. To those four, you each had a fantastic season and represented your team and school well. Thank you.

The four that moved past the first round included Hunter Gruchow, Reubens Swanson, Anthony Sykora and Colton Lindquist. The quarter finals were not good to the Knights as only Anthony Sykora won his match. Gruchow, Swanson and Lindquist did each win a match in the second round of wrestle-backs and each advanced to the blood round.