Wrestling: Carlson wins back-to-back Paul Bunyan Titles
The Paul Bunyan Wrestling Tournament took place Saturday, Dec. 14.
Brainerd's Shane Carlson wrestles Pierz's Jayden Zajac during the final round on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.
BRAINERD — In Shane Carlson’s first wrestling action of the season he proved why he’s ranked in the top five for his class.
The Brainerd senior won the Paul Bunyan Tournament for the second consecutive year at 189 pounds Saturday, Dec. 14, at Brainerd High School.
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Carlson faced Pierz’s Jayden Zajac in the finals and won in a 5-2 decision. After a scoreless first period, Carlson forced a reversal and recorded a takedown with three seconds left to take a 5-1 lead.
“I’ve wrestled the Pierz kid a lot before at other tournaments and my biggest thing was to stay in good position and not make stupid mistakes,” Carlson said. “It feels good to win the tournament in my hometown and in my first matches of the year. It’s a really good way to start the season”
Carlson began his day with a 10-8 decision over Detroit Lakes’ Ryan Francis in the semifinals. In the quarterfinals, he recorded a 17-2 technical fall over Pierz’s Bradly Tanner.
Carlson is currently Class 3A’s fifth-ranked wrestler at 189. He did not wrestle when Brainerd participated in the St. Michael-Albertville Tournament last week.
Brainerd's Shane Carlson wrestles Pierz's Jayden Zajac during the final round on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
“There are not too many people who have won the Paul Bunyan Tournament back-to-back, so I think it’s something cool to remember in Brainerd wrestling history,” Carlson said.
Brainerd’s William Dircks won at 107. He faced off against Pierz’s Rylan Gruber in the final. Dircks walked away with a 12-1 major decision.
In the semifinals, Dircks won with another 12-1 major decision over Bemidji’s Oscar Hanks. On Friday, Dircks opened the tournament with a 15-3 major decision over Becker’s Odin Duncombe in the quarterfinals.
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1/41: Brainerd's William Dircks wrestles Pierz's Rylan Gruber during the final round on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
2/41: Brainerd's William Dircks wrestles Pierz's Rylan Gruber during the final round on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
3/41: Pierz's Caleb Koch celebrates a win against Mound-Westonka's John Seemann during the final round on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
4/41: Brainerd's Shane Carlson wrestles Pierz's Jayden Zajac during the final round on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
5/41: Brainerd's Shane Carlson wrestles Pierz's Jayden Zajac during the final round on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
6/41: Brainerd's Easton Dircks wrestles Becker's Landen Kujawa during the final round on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd
7/41: Brainerd's Shane Carlson wrestles Pierz's Jayden Zajac during the final round on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
8/41: Brainerd's Easton Dircks wrestles Becker's Landen Kujawa during the final round on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd
9/41: Brainerd coaches on the sideline during Brainerd's Easton Dircks match against Becker's Landen Kujawa during the final round on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd
10/41: Pierz's Kyle Stangl wrestles Mound-Westonka's Deacon Ramthun during the final round on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
11/41: Wadena-Deer Creek's Matthew Wegscheid wrestles Bemidji's Nehemiah Scwinghammer on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
12/41: Wadena-Deer Creek's Matthew Wegscheid wrestles Bemidji's Nehemiah Scwinghammer on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
13/41: Wadena-Deer Creek's Matthew Wegscheid wrestles Bemidji's Nehemiah Scwinghammer on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
14/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
15/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
16/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
17/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
18/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
19/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
20/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
21/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
22/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
23/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
24/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
25/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
26/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
27/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
28/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
29/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
30/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
31/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
32/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
33/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
34/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
35/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
36/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
37/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
38/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
39/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
40/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
41/41: Wrestlers compete on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day two of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
“I felt like my performance was pretty good,” Dircks said. “My coaches thanked me and I felt like I did good overall. I beat some of the kids that are going to be in my section, so I feel confident that I could go to state.”
The Warriors placed fifth as a team. Brainerd’s Easton Dircks placed second in heartbreaking fashion at 152.
With a 5-3 lead over Becker’s Landen Kujawa in the third period, Kujawa recorded a three-point takedown with under 30 seconds left to get the lead over Class 3A’s second-ranked 145-pounder. Easton Dircks forced overtime with an escape right before the buzzer.
In overtime, Kujawa recorded a takedown with 27 seconds remaining to claim the 152 title.
Brainerd's Easton Dircks wrestles Becker's Landen Kujawa during the final round on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd
Brainerd’s Ethan Kosloski placed third at 215 and Cole Berhow finished fourth at 121.
Pierz’s Kyle Stangl won at 114 when he defeated Mound-Westonka’s Deacon Ramthun with a 9-6 decision. The match was tied 5-5 headed into the third period with Stangl recording an escape and a takedown in the third period to claim the victory.
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“That kid was pretty strong, but I knew I had to be pretty quick,” Stangl said. “I tried to score some points on offense and it worked out pretty well. This win gives me a lot of confidence because I’m wrestling bigger kids, which is going to push me more.”
Pierz’s Caleb Koch won at 215 with a second-period pin of Mound-Westonka’s John Seemann. Koch fell behind when Seemann took him down 30 seconds into the first period. He rallied to escape and record a takedown of his own for a slim 4-3 advantage after the first period.
Pierz's Caleb Koch celebrates a win against Mound-Westonka's John Seemann during the final round on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Koch turned it on as he recorded a reversal followed by a pin 34 seconds into the second period.
“Going into the finals, I did not think I was going to get the pin,” Koch said. “Last year, I came to this tournament and I placed third. This year, I was seeded fourth, but it ended up working in my favor.”
Pierz placed third as a team one point ahead of Becker. The Bulldogs edged Pierz 35-33 in a dual Thursday, Dec. 12.
Gruber and Zajac each recorded second-place finishes. Carter Young, at 145, and Gauge Johnson, at 127, both collected thirds. Brayden Melby finished fourth at 145.
Pierz's Kyle Stangl wrestles Mound-Westonka's Deacon Ramthun during the final round on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during day 2 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
“We lost to Becker by two points the day before this tournament, so we wanted to do better than them,” Koch said. “It feels good to finish third because we have been working hard.”
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Wadena-Deer Creek finished 15th and was led by Matthew Wegscheid, who placed fourth at 285.
6 Warrior girls claim titles
Shane Carlson wasn’t the only Warrior to go back-to-back.
Holly Bergin won her second consecutive Paul Bunyan championship in the 119-128 girls bracket Friday, Dec. 13.
Bergin recorded a 16-3 major decision over WDC’s Charli Snyder, a second-period pin of Pierz’s Myah Held and a 47-second pin of Bemidji’s Amber Kremper.
1/68: Brainerd's Holly Bergin wrestles Bemidji's Amber Kremper on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
2/68: Brainerd's Elizabell Cox wrestles Bemidji's Kiera Hagman-Nyagaka on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
3/68: Brainerd's Holly Bergin wrestles Wadena-Deer Creek's Charli Snyder on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
4/68: Brainerd coach Layne Danielson gives instruction from the sideline during a match on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
5/68: Bemidji's Dezerai Puffe wrestles Wadena-Deer Creek's Kaylee Endres on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
6/68: Brainerd's Mia Ranweiler wrestles Pierz's Kayla Virnig on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
7/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
8/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
9/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
10/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
11/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
12/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
13/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
14/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
15/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
16/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
17/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
18/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
19/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
20/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
21/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
22/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
23/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
24/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
25/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
26/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
27/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
28/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
29/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
30/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
31/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
32/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
33/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
34/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
35/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
36/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
37/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
38/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
39/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
40/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
41/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
42/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
43/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
44/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
45/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
46/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
47/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
48/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
49/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
50/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
51/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
52/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
53/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
54/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
55/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
56/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
57/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
58/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
59/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
60/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
61/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
62/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
63/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
64/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
65/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
66/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
67/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
68/68: Area girls wrestling on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during day 1 of the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Brainerd’s Anilyse Bundy claimed the title at 99-108. She won all three of her matches by fall in 67 seconds or less.
Arianna Pickar continued her stellar season.
Last week’s Warrior Athlete of the Week
won the 116-122 bracket with three pins. The closest match for Pickar came in her first-round match with Bemidji’s Brenalen Fredriksen-Holm.
First-year wrestlers Arianna Halbert and Abbigail Schneider earned Paul Bunyan titles for the Warriors.
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Schneider dominated the 141-146 bracket with first-period pins in all three matches.
“It felt good to win all three of my matches,” Schneider said. “I don’t have a specific strategy yet. This is my first year wrestling and it feels good to have success in a short time.”
Halbert won her 149-152 bracket with three pins. The fastest one coming in 20 seconds.
“It feels really good to win this tournament with it being my first time wrestling,” Halbert said. “My strategy was to keep calm, relax and stay focused. I focused on what my coaches were saying and my teammates. I wanted to join wrestling because it seemed fun and I would go to wrestling matches when I was younger.”
Brainerd coach Layne Danielson gives instruction from the sideline during a match on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Hannah Freiholtz was the sixth Warrior to earn a Paul Bunyan title. She won at 133-140 with three pins. Only one pin came in the first period and it was against Detroit Lakes’ Kami Domek.
“Last year, we only had one champion, so to have six this year is outstanding,” Warrior coach Layne Danielson said. “All of them had really good matches and a lot of the brackets were really, really tough. It shows that our program is getting stronger and stronger each year and the competition keeps getting better.”
Bemidji's Dezerai Puffe wrestles Wadena-Deer Creek's Kaylee Endres on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during the Paul Bunyan Invite in Brainerd.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
WDC featured three champions. Addison Hillukka won the 134-139 title. After earning a second-period fall in her first match, Hillukka squeaked by with a 16-15 decision and a 13-12 decision in her other two matches.
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WDC’s McKenna Brauch won the 142-153 bracket with two first-period falls and a 13-5 major decision. Chloe Hammes tallied three falls to win at 158-164.
“We went up another 30 girls from last year in this tournament overall,” Danielson said. “We see this tournament continuing to grow and it should get bigger and bigger each year.”
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