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PILING UP POINTS — Waseca’s Payton Garza, top, scores back points against Jack Hanson of Fridley during the 2023 state wrestling tournament at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

WHS matmen celebrate the state tournament experience

Getting three wrestlers to the state tournament is quite a feat.
But the accomplishment is sometimes lost when individuals are eliminated early.
That's what happened for Waseca's entrants in last week's state tournament at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
It did not, however, lessen the experience.
"The state tournament is an amazing experience," said Bluejays coach Jake Janike. "All three athletes were very excited to go wrestle on the big stage. We prepared all week last week, getting them physically ready and mentally ready."
Payton Garza, a senior wrestling at 195 pounds, was the lone Bluejay to log a victory, defeating Section 7 champion Jack Hanson of Fridley by an 8-1 decision. Garza was then pinned by eventual state champion Joey Novak of New Prague, who pinned his way to the title to finish with a 51-2 record. Garza was pinned in the wrestlebacks by Logan Bender of North Branch, a sophomore who went on to take sixth and finish 28-9.
Waseca senior Christian Rodriguez was decisioned 11-2 in the opening round by Rock Ridge junior Damian Tapio, the Section 7 champion who dropped a 3-2 decision in the quarterfinals before going on to take fourth place and finish 48-7.
Rodriguez ended the season 26-7, making his first state appearance since his freshman year.
Matthew Veroeven, a freshman, was pinned by Maxx Olson of FMCW, a senior who did not place and compiled a 38-8 record. Veroeven finished 29-10.
"When we got there, looking at the brackets, we knew that both Matthew and Christian we’re going to have a tough first match," said Janike. "We were really hoping and trying to be optimistic that those matches would go our way so we could continue to wrestle. Payton wrestled perfectly in the first round."
Garza's wrestleback match was a close one.
"We knew that (his opponent) was very tall and very good in the top position," said Janike. "At the end of the first period it was tied 0-0. The only choice we had was to go in the down position with the hopes to get an escape and score first.  Payton wrestled really well moving around, trying to put moves together to get out, which he almost did twice!"
Only 15 seconds remained in the second period though Garza got turned and pinned. 
"Overall, we have coaching staff could not be more proud of these young individuals," said Janike. "They gave us everything they had all season long and at the state tournament. Sure, we would have loved to came home with a medal, however, qualifying three athletes to the state tournament is always an amazing accomplishment itself. These young men wrestled their hearts out! Congratulations to all three of them!"

 

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