St. Michael-Albertville Dominates 2026 Minnesota State Wrestling Championships
The 2026 Minnesota High School League (MSHSL) individual wrestling state tournament concluded Saturday at Grand Casino Arena, showcasing thrilling matches and crowning 48 new champions. St. Michael-Albertville emerged as a dominant force, particularly in Class AAA, with multiple wrestlers reaching the top of the podium.
Class AAA: A Showcase of Talent
Class AAA witnessed intense competition, with St. Michael-Albertville consistently delivering strong performances. Jackson Thorn secured the 107-pound championship, defeating Nathan Hoopman of St. Thomas Academy with a decisive 11-7 decision. Landon Thoennes added another gold medal for the Knights, winning the 114-pound title with a fall in just 1:04. Beckett Edstrom of Hastings claimed the 121-pound crown, edging out Grant Bergeron of St. Michael-Albertville 12-6.
Noah Nicholson of Stillwater demonstrated his prowess, winning the 127-pound championship by fall in just 24 seconds. Brody Bergeron secured a victory for St. Michael-Albertville at 133 pounds, defeating Trey Beissel of Hastings 8-1. Anthony Heim of Shakopee took the 139-pound title, narrowly defeating Connor Peterson of Maple Grove 6-5. Lincoln Robideau of St. Michael-Albertville was victorious at 145 pounds, defeating Caden Borgen of St. Francis 9-3.
Davis Parrow of Farmington won the 152-pound championship, although Jackson Barron of Shakopee claimed the 160-pound title. Kyler Walters of Shakopee emerged victorious at 172 pounds, and William Ward of Moorhead won the 189-pound championship. Sutton Kenning of Saint Cloud Tech took the 215-pound title, and George Bauer of Monticello won the 285-pound championship.
Class AA and A: Rising Stars and Fierce Battles
Class AA too saw compelling matchups. Trey Kraemer of Rocori won the 107-pound championship, and Owen Parish of Cannon Falls secured the 114-pound title. Joel Friederichs of Watertown Mayer-Mayer Lutheran claimed the 121-pound crown, while Titan Friederichs of Watertown Mayer-Mayer Lutheran won at 127 pounds. Jackson Refsnider of Totino-Grace was victorious at 133 pounds, and Masyn Patrick of Holdingford won the 152-pound championship.
In Class A, Garrett Bjerga of Staples Motley won the 107-pound title, and Liam Sommer of Kenyon-Wanamingo secured the 114-pound championship. Jameson Priebe of Chatfield claimed the 121-pound crown, and Logan Pearson of Chatfield won at 127 pounds. Miklo Hernandez of Pipestone Area was victorious at 133 pounds, and Gage Bjerga of Staples Motley won the 139-pound championship.
Girls Wrestling: Emerging Champions
The girls’ tournament showcased a growing level of competition. Rhilynn Tolzman of New Prague won the 100-pound championship, while Azalea Kallal of New Prague secured the 106-pound title. Adriana Kunz of Triton claimed the 112-pound crown, and Charli Raymond of Simley won the 118-pound championship. Abby Gindele of Annand-M Lk Lightning secured the 124-pound title, and Sarah Pulk of Badger-GB-MR won the 190-pound championship. Reymie Keenan of Minneapolis Edison won the 235-pound championship.
The Future of Minnesota High School Wrestling
The 2026 MSHSL state wrestling tournament highlighted the continued strength of wrestling programs across Minnesota. The increasing participation and success in girls’ wrestling signal a positive trend for the sport’s future. The dominance of schools like St. Michael-Albertville demonstrates the impact of strong coaching and dedicated athletes.
Did you know? Minnesota is consistently ranked among the top states for high school wrestling participation and talent.
FAQ
Q: Where was the 2026 MSHSL state wrestling tournament held?
A: Grand Casino Arena.
Q: Which school had the most champions in Class AAA?
A: St. Michael-Albertville.
Q: Is girls wrestling growing in Minnesota?
A: Yes, the tournament showcased a growing level of competition and participation in girls’ wrestling.
Pro Tip: Consistent training, proper nutrition, and mental fortitude are key to success in high school wrestling.
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