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Friday, December 5, 2008

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Warriors look for a good year on the mats

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW - Wrestling

By MIKE BIALKA

Sports Editor

In 2007-08 the Brainerd Warriors wrestling team forged its best season since 2004-05 when it went 9-4 in dual meets and sent five individuals to state.

Brainerd finished 12-5 last season and qualified four individuals for state. With five wrestlers returning, who placed third or higher in Section 8-3A last season, the Warriors appear capable of a successful 2008-09.

"I think we'll be pretty competitive," co-head coach Jim Kath said. "We lost a lot of kids in the lower to middle weight classes and we'll have some young kids in the upper weights, but I think we'll be competitive. We'll see how it starts out."

Brainerd's Brandon Mutz (left) wrestled Apple Valley's Destin McCauley for the 119-pound Class 3A state championship in March. Mutz and the Warriors are scheduled to open Saturday at the Blue Earth tournament.
Brainerd Dispatch

The Warriors, who open Saturday at the Blue Earth tournament, return senior Brandon Mutz, runner-up at 119 pounds in the 3A state tournament. Mutz finished 26-4, losing by technical fall to Apple Valley's Destin McCauley for the title.

"Brandon's coming off a great season last year," co-head coach Mike Boran said. "He worked hard in the offseason to stay in shape and get better. He's got a lot of goals this year. He wants to be back on the podium at the state tournament. He's ranked third at 119, but those are preseason rankings. They don't mean a whole lot."

Junior Chad Ohman, a captain along with Mutz, was third in the section at 160 and finished 23-18.

"Chad's a hard-working kid," Boran said. "He's a good leader. He wants to be a good wrestler. We will work to get him to that point. He's made steady improvement the last two years."

Sam Pagel was third at 171 and finished 9-13.

"He was fighting an injury the first part of last season," Boran said. "Sam came on strong in the section. He's a big, strong kid. He will probably be 189 most of the season. He's done a lot to get better."

Greg Flickenger, third in the section at 152, finished 16-14.

"He's one of the kids we're hoping makes another jump this year," Boran said. "Last year was his first full year on varsity. He finished the season strong. He's got heart and intensity."

Nick Grausam, third in the section at 112, finished 21-8.

"He will go up a couple weight classes this year," Boran said. "112 was a pretty good cut for him. He's grown some, he's in shape, he got a lot of experience the last couple years."

Boran expects contributions from letterwinners like Aaron Padrnos, Mack Glasby, Jessen Franzen and Pat Metzler.

Padrnos finished 21-7, mostly at 112. He lost in a wrestleoff with Grausam to compete in the section tournament.

"Aaron's been wrestling varsity since he was in eighth grade," Boran said. "He's got a ton of experience. There isn't anyone who works harder as far as training year round. He's probably going up a couple weight classes. He's put on the kind of weight that's good, as far as strength."

Glasby placed fifth in the section at 145 and finished 11-13.

"He's done a few things in the offseason to get better," Boran said. "We're hoping he makes a step up this season as well."

Warriors roster

Seniors: Brandon Mutz (119-112), Pat Metzler (hwt), Andrew Wachsmuth (145), Brandon Shaw (145)

Juniors: Sam Pagel (171-189), Nick Oakley (112), Nick Grausam (125-130), Greg Flickenger (152-160), Chad Ohman (171), Aaron Padrnos (125-130)

Sophomores: Matt Solid (125), Mack Glasby (145), Josh Anderson (125), Jessen Franzen (135), Dillon Houde (130), Tyler Kohlmeier (152-160), Tyler Franzen (135-140)

Freshmen: Tyler Spangler (130-135), Trevor Dukowitz (130), Spencer Kangas (140), Shane White (125), Robbie Wanous (160), Spencer Beckett (140), Wes Johnson (119), Dan Dick 135), Dale McArthur (125-130), Abe Toumi (130)

Eighth graders: Luke Boran (103), Levi Rubin (140), Jeff Flickenger (119-125), Dan Babineau (103-112)

MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.


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