Laker Wrestlers Compete Strongly Despite Quarterfinal Losses

Day three of the state wrestling tournament at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul on February 27, 2024, saw strong performances from three Detroit Lakes wrestlers, despite their quarterfinal losses. Anthony Chilton (107), Gage Weber (121), and Ryan Francis (215) were eliminated from the championship bracket but showed resilience in the wrestleback rounds.

Chilton faced a formidable opponent in Trae Kraemer of Rocori, who secured a major decision victory over him with a score of 12-2. After this setback, Chilton bounced back in the wrestlebacks, defeating Easton Strangl-McCann from Pierz by a decision of 6-3. Assistant coach Casey Berntsen praised Chilton’s determination, stating, “He ran into one of the best wrestlers in that weight class and gave it his all. He’s a super hard worker and has a lot of good wrestling ahead of him.”

Weber followed in Chilton’s footsteps, taking on Kaden Lindquist from Kasson-Mantorville. Weber lost by technical fall, with the match ending 17-2. In the wrestleback round, he faced Sam Weyandt from Minneapolis-Roosevelt and dominated, winning by technical fall with a score of 17-1. Berntsen noted, “Gage wrestled really well these past few days and again ran into another great wrestler. He did his part getting into the right positions, and that’s all we can ask for as coaches.”

Francis concluded the day’s matches for the Lakers, competing against Joe Kruse of Totino-Grace. The match was tightly contested, with both wrestlers going scoreless in the first period. Kruse managed to escape and score points in the second period, ultimately winning by a close decision of 4-2. In the wrestlebacks, Francis found success against Enriquel Reyes from South St. Paul, winning decisively with a major decision score of 9-0. Berntsen reflected on Francis’s performance, expressing pride in his effort despite the earlier loss.

The athletes’ journey to the state tournament and their performances in the wrestlebacks highlight their tenacity and commitment to the sport. As they continue in the competition, their coaches and supporters remain optimistic about their potential for success in future matches.