The Cardinal wrestling team traveled to Wabasso Saturday, Feb. 26, and returned home with seven medals.
Luverne senior Braydon Ripka earned a trip to the 3A State Tournament with his second-place finish at 145 pounds.
Seven out of eight Cardinal wrestlers placed, beginning with Rayden Boyenga at 113 pounds. Posting a 2-2 record, Boyenga returned home with a fourth-place medal.
At 120 pounds, Leif Ingebretsen secured a medal after wins in consolation, but lost his final match 4-2 to Wabasso’s Mikale Goblirsch receiving a sixth-place finish. The same result occurred for Hudson Hough at 126 picking up a sixth-place medal.
Luverne senior Noah Mehlhaff posted a 3-1 record securing third place. He began his day at 132 pounds by pinning Red Rock Central’s Zakary Zimmermann in 2:28.
In the semifinals, Mehlhaff was bested by Ayden Horner of Tracy before rebounding with a 14-8 decision over Levi Miest from Saint James Area.
In the third-place match, Mehlhaff pinned Pipestone’s Davis Budden in 1:52.
“Noah wrestled a fantastic tournament and ended placing higher than where he was seeded. It feels great to see a senior end his career that way,” head coach Jordan Kopp said.
As a senior ending his run as a Luverne wrestler, Mehlhaff reflected on his high school wrestling career.
“I came in as the fifth seed, pinned the fourth and third seed, but came up short with the 1 and 2 seed,” he said. “I feel pretty good, but a little disappointed.”
In his final section tournament appearance, Braydon Ripka produced three wins on his way to the finals before finishing in second place.
Ripka began his day by pinning Red Rock Central’s Andrew Pankonin in 1:18 before pinning Pipestone’s Gavin Olson in 2:55.
In the semifinals, Ripka bested Adrian’s Rilee Heidebrink 10-4. Jackson’s Dylan Withers ended Ripka’s win streak by pinning him in 1:28.
By securing second place, Ripka now advances to the state tournament beginning Friday, March 4.
“It feels great to accomplish a goal since I started my varsity wrestling career in eighth grade,” Ripka said.
“It’s a new experience and it’s pretty cool I made it. I’m just headed up to have some fun and wrestle.”
At 170 pounds, Jacob Madison navigated his way into the fifth-place match and beat Wabasso’s Ezekial Olson 6-4. Senior Ayden Bonnett also secured a fifth-place medal at 195 pounds.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team as they have been working hard all season,” Kopp said.
“We had expectations to come home with several medals but returning back to Luverne with seven medals just makes it that much better.”