Boyceville will lean on experienced upper weights to lead wrestling team this year
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THE BOYCEVILLE wrestling team is set to begin the 2024-25 season this Friday in Turtle Lake. Front row (L to R): Lexton Benitz, Eli Cole, Dallas Herdahl and Jonathan Frett. Middle row (L to R): Bryce Christopherson, Cole Retz, Bryce Humpal, Victor Pattermann and Liam Moore. Back row (L to R): Brock Larson-Wang, Isaiah Romero, Jack Gruenhagen, Mark Knopps and Zach Hellendrung. Missing are Alex Obermueller and Kayla Frett. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
BOYCEVILLE — After a 13-13 finish a year ago which included a 2-2 mark in the Dunn-St. Croix, good for third, the Boyceville wrestling team will look to its experienced wrestlers in the upper weight classes to lead in the 2024-25 mat season.
Veteran head coach Jamie Olson, who starts his 26th year at the helm and sports an impressive 318-145 dual meet record, lost four seniors – Zach Kersten, Wyatt Sell, Parker Coombs, and Paul Kurschner – to graduation. Kersten was a second-team all conference wrestler with 14 varsity wins his senior season, Coombs won 18 matches, Sell finished with 11 victories, and Kurschner had four.
Fortunately, the Bulldogs return Zach Hellendrung, their best grappler and undisputed leader. The junior, who earned first-team all-conference honors a season ago, was a regional champion, a sectional runner-up, and state qualifier at 215 pounds .
“Zach is our leader,” noted Olson, who expects ever bigger things from him this season.
The Bulldogs will also be counting on returning letter winners and seniors, Jack Gruenhagen and Mark Knopps to provide leadership and guidance for the underclassmen.
Joining that trio will be juniors: Bryce Humpal, Victor Pattermann, and Alex Obermueller along with sophomores: Dallas Herdahl, Liam Moore, Isaiah Romero, and Brock Larson-Wang all of which gained valuable varsity experience last season.
Olson will also look to his incoming freshmen class to fill key roles.
He identified freshmen Cole Retz, Lexton Benitz, and Bryce Christopherson as experienced wrestlers that will battle for varsity spots. Olson believes that the other freshmen, Jonathan Frett, Kayla Frett, and Eli Cole, will be crucial contributors in the team’s lower weights.
“Our upper weights have some depth and experience,” stated Olson. “But, we lack numbers and experience from 132 pounds down!”
As for goals, Olson simply wants his wrestlers to get better everyday in the practice room and matches, and to continue to work on the team’s culture.
As for this year’s conference race, Olson has tabbed three-time defending champion and Boyceville’s arch rival, Glenwood City, as the favorite.
“Glenwood City is very talented,” noted Olson. “They will be the team to beat in this area.”
Olson will be assisted by Corey Day and Allen Lain.
The Bulldogs open the season this Friday, December 6 at an invitational at Turtle Lake High School.
2024-25 Roster
Seniors: Jack Gruenhagen, Mark Knopps.
Juniors: Zach Hellendrung, Bryce Humpal, Victor Pattermann, Alex Obermueller.
Sophomores: Dallas Herdahl, Liam Moore, Isaiah Romero, Brock Larson-Wang.
Freshmen: Cole Retz, Lexton Benitz, Bryce Christopherson, Jonathan Frett, Kayla Frett, Eli Cole.