ABERDEEN, S.D. --- The Parkside wrestling team will send five Rangers to the National Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 10th and 11th. As a team, the Rangers finished in third place, behind Augustana and the Super Regional V champions in St Cloud St. Four of the five qualifiers won their respective weight classes while one Ranger finished in second.
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HEAR FROM COACH BECKER
NATIONALS BOUND
Freshman and No.7 ranked Shane Corrigan got the day started for the Rangers in the 125-pound bracket where he earned a bye in the first round and followed up with a pin just 1:39 into the first period to move into the semifinal match. In the semifinal match, Corrigan faced off against No.5 ranked Paxton Creese of No.3 ranked St Cloud St. Corrigan controlled the entire match where he earned a 5-1 decision to solidify his spot in the national championship. Before his day was done, in the 125-pound super regional championship match, Corrigan upset No.6 ranked Jaxson Rohman of Augustana in the 125-pound super regional championship match with an 8-5 decision to take home the title.
At 141-pounds, No.4 ranked redshirt sophomore Cayden Henschel earned two hard fought victories to earn a spot in his first national championship. Henschel won his quarterfinal match by 5-2 decision and then went on the defeat No.12 ranked Brock Luthens in a 5-3 decision. The West Bend, Wis. native continued to handle business in the 141-pound championship match as he held on to a 5-3 victory. Henschel improved on his previous super regional record of 0-2 with a 3-0 sweep on Saturday.
No.6 ranked redshirt sophomore Jalen Spuhler also earned a bye in the 149-pound bracket which lead to a 9-3 decision in the quarterfinal. Spuhler faced No.8 ranked Wyatt Turnquist in a top-ten battle in the semifinals which went to a third overtime where Spuhler would come away with a 3-2 victory by tiebreaker. By reaching the finals, Spuhler earns himself a spot in his first ever national championship tournament. In the championship match, Spuhler was tasked with No.7 ranked Joey Bianchini of St Cloud St. where he ultimately fell in a 4-3 decision.
At 165-pounds, No.1 ranked redshirt senior Shane Gantz made his presence felt in South Dakota as he dominated his quarterfinal match in a 26-9 win by technical fall. In the semifinal match, Gantz controlled the final two periods and cruised to a 4-1 decision over No.12 ranked Tyler Wagener. Gantz went on to defend his super regional title in the 165-pound class by defeating No.10 Anthony Herrera of St Cloud St. in a 6-1 decision. Gantz will make his second national championship appearance in as many years
No.7 ranked redshirt sophomore Reece Worachek had a high scoring Saturday, where he won his quarterfinal match by 13-3 technical fall. Worachek then went on to defeat Bryce Fitzpatrick of No.3 ranked St Cloud St. in a 2-0 decision. In the super regional championship match, Worachek battled his way to a 3-2 decision to take home the 184-pound title. Worachek will find himself in the national championship for the second consecutive season.
OTHER RANGER RESULTS
Freshman Troy Dolphin earned a bye in the first round of the 133-pound bracket but went on to lose his quarterfinal match by 5-4 decision in heartbreak fashion. Dolphin lead up until the final period but gave up a crucial takedown to lose in a 5-4 decision. Dolphin began fighting his way through the consolation bracket in hopes for a third place qualifier. Dolphin won the consolation third round match by pinning his opponent 1:56 into the match. Dolphin got off to an early 2-0 lead in his consolation semifinal match but ultimately fell by 10-3 decision.
Redshirt sophomore and No.10 ranked Ben Durocher had to claw his way back into contention after losing his first match in heartbreak fashion by 4-2 decision in the first overtime period. Durocher made his way through the consolation bracket in hopes of a third-place finish, as he won his second match by 7-4 decision and then his third-round match due to injury. In the consolation semifinal Durocher cruised to a 9-3 victory. But in the 3rd place match, with a trip to the national championship on the line, Durocher once again lost via takedown in the first overtime.
Redshirt sophomore Crosby Schlosser gave his all in the 174-pound bracket but ended his season with two losses on Saturday.
At 197-pounds, freshman Kaden Hooker lost to No.7 ranked Dalton Hahn of Upper Iowa in the quarterfinal match in a 15-2 major decision. In the consolations round, Hooker fell 4-2 in a close match to end his first season with the Rangers.
Redshirt sophomore Lloyd Reynolds competed in the heavyweight bracket where his first match was a rematch against reigning national champion and No.11 ranked Darrell Mason of MSU-Mankato where he lost in a 3-0 decision. The consolation bracket proved to be the end of the road for Reynolds when he lost in a 4-0 decision to No.9 ranked Zach Ryg of Upper Iowa.
NEXT UP
The Rangers national qualifiers will head to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the NCAA II National Championships on March 10th and 11th in hopes of bringing home some hardware. For more information, visit parksiderangers.com.
