Like other “classic” sports, such as swimming, track, tennis, skiing and golf, wrestling relies on individual effort and success to contribute to the overall team score. Wrestling also features set scoring for moves and countermoves that determine the outcome of each match. Those dynamics were on full display during the StormHawks’ triangular meet with Scott West (Jordan and Belle Plaine) and Mahtomedi on Feb. 5.
The StormHawks opened the meet against Scott West. Of the 13 wrestlers who competed, the StormHawks earned three wins. Sophomore Jaden Neunsinger recorded a pin at 133 pounds, improving his season record to 40–14 and earning his ninth pin of the year. Junior Tahyer Palvanov secured a hard-fought 6–5 decision at 160 pounds to move his record to 43–28. At 285 pounds, senior Caelen Rupert pinned his opponent, improving to 25–13 on the season with 18 pins. Scott West won the meet 46-15.
Although the StormHawks came up short on the team score against Scott West, the real “winners” were the seniors, who competed on their home mat for the final time. Highlights from the Class of 2026 wrestlers included:
- Meldin Good (139 pounds): Hopes to run his own business someday.
- Dane Krull (145 pounds): Favorite memory is winning the Ethan Herman Tournament as a sophomore.
- Jon Sattarov (152 pounds): Future plans include getting a cool car.
- Michael Gillette (172 pounds): He and his brothers rank in the top 10 for high school career wins.
- Joshua Schmidt (172 pounds): Holds the state record in pole vault.
- Ben Hodowanic (189 pounds): Favorite wrestling movie is Butcher.
- Sam Hanson (189 pounds): Has lived in five houses across four states.
- Micha Schmidt (215 pounds): Favorite memories include post-meet trips to B-Dubs.
- Caelen Rupert (285 pounds): Plans to study entrepreneurial studies and construction management at SDSU.
After a break and recognition of the seniors, the StormHawks took on the Mahtomedi Zephyrs and the results were dramatically different.
The StormHawks won 12 of 13 matches. All seniors finished their home careers with victories. Younger wrestlers also made an impact, including seventh-grader Jace Biesterfeld (114 pounds) and freshman Charlie Kuklok (127 pounds), both of whom earned wins. The StormHawks won the meet 61-6.
StormHawks head coach Eric Rogness was direct with his team following the opening meet. “We didn’t do ourselves any favors in that meet. They were a tough team, but we need to give ourselves an edge with each opponent—set the pace and get the first move off,” Rogness said. After the Mahtomedi match, his tone reflected the turnaround. “Way to fight back. I’m proud of how you guys adjusted and had each other’s backs. Nice job, seniors, and great job to the rest of you for wrestling for each other.”
Team sectionals begin the week of Feb. 8, followed by individual sectionals the following week. State tournaments will take place the week after. Coaches expect several StormHawks to qualify for the individual state tournament.
