The Class A state champion Kenyon-Wanamingo wrestling team held their welcome home about the time the high school play got done with their performance of "Fiddler on the Roof."

The Knights played sweet music for their fans with three thrilling wins at state in the team competition and came home with five of their 11 state qualifiers placing in the individual portion of the tournament.

Head coach Matt Ryan talked about each wrestler, their record and contribution to the team, the managers and his assistant coaches. He also thanked his dad, who has been instrumental in getting the youth program going well, and his wife for "putting up with" him during the pressures of the last month of the season.

Ryan also thanked the fans for their show of support throughout the season and the incredible attendance in St. Paul.

Assistant coach Wayne Lexvold announced that Ryan had been chosen the State Class A Coach of the Year by his peers.

I know I dubbed this team the "Ryan Express," but Ryan said it was all about team since going to camp last summer.

The Knights were hoping for multiple state titles individually, but as Ryan told me afte the welcome home, the first day of team wrestling is a very draining day for the kids.

However he said they wouldn't trade their state team title at all for a less-tiring experience.

  • 106-pound freshman Jeron Matson had a pin in every team match and had nearly 40 pins for the season. He came home with a state championship.
  • 113-pound senior Ethan Cota placed fourth after winning a state title last year as the 106-pounder for the Knights.
  • 170-pound senior Ted Androli finished fourth after getting into the semifinals with two pins. He lost 4-2 in overtime in the third-place match to Zumbrota-Mazeppa's Devin Manzy.
  • 182-pound senior Luke Rechtzigel placed fourth and 285-pound senior Austin Jackson finished his high school wrestling career with a 2:28 fall for fifth place.

The state champion Kenyon-Wanamingo Knights finished 34-3 in duals, with their only losses coming to nationally ranked teams, and they were also ranked in the nation.

The Knights had nine seniors on this year's team and Ryan said their leadership was incredible.

He told me they will be missed but the wrestling team should be very competitive again next year.

 

Kenyon-Wanamingo State Class A Wrestling Champions
Kenyon-Wanamingo State Class A Wrestling Champions
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106A State Champion Jeron Matson
106A State Champion Jeron Matson
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