Gators Finish Sixth at Sertoma
By: Ryan Bergeron
Traveling just across the state border, the Gators competed in the annual Sertoma Dual Tournament at Grand Forks Central High School on December 12 to December 13. Featuring some of North Dakota’s premier teams and several strong Minnesota teams, the Sertoma provided plenty of tough competition. The Gators competed hard, going 2-3 on the weekend and finishing sixth out of 15 teams, defeating Grand Forks Red River 60-18, falling 55-12 to West Fargo, defeating Grand Forks Central 39-30, falling to Bismarck Century 41-27, and losing to New London- Spicer (Minn.) 42-34 in the fifth place match.
Coach Bergeron commented on his team’s performance versus some strong competition.
“The Sertoma is a tough tournament. It’s a great tournament for our kids,” said Bergeron, “It was very challenging tournament and the kids wrestled hard and I think it will make us a better team in the long run.”
The Gators started the tournament off right versus Grand Forks Red River. They picked up ten victories en route to their 60-18 win, including seven pins and three forfeits. Isaak Isane (120), Wyatt Becker (126), Nash Sovde (132), Nick Kaml (138), Seth Dostal (145), Devin Pries (182), and Beau Blumer (195) pinned their opponents. The 220 and 152 pound matches highlighted the dual. At 220, the Gators’ Adam Lorenson fell to Red River’s Logan Goulet in a back and forth match, 8-5. Gator Senior Brandon Waage also wrestled an entertaining match, surrendering a late 4-2 third period lead to Red River’s Malek Larimer to head to overtime at 152. With about 20 seconds remaining in the overtime period, Waage gave up the takedown to fall 6-4.
This opening victory advanced the Gators to a quarterfinal matchup versus defending North Dakota state champs, West Fargo. The Gators won three matches in a 55-12 loss, but had a few opportunities for more. Becker picked up the only Gator pin. Sovde also won for the Gators, getting out to an early 5-0 first period lead and hanging on to win 8-4. Waage worked hard for two third period back points to win a 4-2 decision over West Fargo’s Christian Ramberg. The Gators also lost two matches that very easily could have gone their way. One of those came at 138, pitting the Gators’ Kaml versus West Fargo’s Jacob Franek. Kaml held a narrow 3-2 lead late in the third and looked to ride it out for the victory. Unfortunately, he gave up a reversal and eventually lost 4-3. At 182, the Gators’ Blumer also came close to victory, appearing to pin West Fargo’s Zach Lehmann early in the first period, but unfortunately got caught and pinned himself early in the second. The Gators Doug Peterson (285) also lost a close decision, surrendering a five-point move late in the second period to give West Fargo’s Zach Willis his only points in a 5-0 loss.
Following the loss, the Gators wrestled tournament host, Grand Forks Central, in their first match on Saturday, one decided late. The Gators won seven matches, but picked up more bonus points, including six pins, to come out with the 39-30 victory. Those getting the valuable pins included Owen Novacek (106), Bryce Bergeron (113), Isaak Isane, Becker, Waage, and Blumer. Finishing the dual at 120 pounds, the Gators secured the victory courtesy of Isane’s pin. At 132, Sovde picked up the Gators’ first dual victory, winning 5-2. The Gators saw Central answer right back in the most entertaining match of the dual, pitting Kaml against Central’s Brandon Hanson at 138. Leading 2-1 late in the third period, Kaml surrendered a reversal with about 30 seconds remaining and couldn’t retake the lead or send it to overtime, falling 3-2. Tanner Foss (170) also fell victim to a close decision for the Gators, losing by a 13-10 football score. Peterson also lost a narrow decision, getting an escape in the third period to close his deficit to two. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get the tying takedown, falling 3-1.
The tough win advanced the Gators into a matchup versus Bismarck Century, a team they wrestled at last year’s tournament. Although the Gators lost to Century for the second time in as many years, they had a better dual with them this time around, winning six matches, from some one-point victories to some impressive pins. Kaml, Waage, and Blumer picked up the pins. Bergeron and Sovde both won some entertaining one point matches. Sovde started the dual at 138, holding off Century’s Bobby Edick’s desperate attempts to get the go-ahead takedown to win 5-4. At 113, Bergeron fell behind early 4-0, but came up to tie it up and later escaped with about 15 seconds remaining in the match to win 7-6 over Century’s Isaiah Bitz. Becker came away with the other Gator victory, dominating Trey Pajimula at 126 to win 10-3. The 106-pound match also provided some entertainment, featuring the Gators’ Novacek versus Century’s Shane Fleck. Tied 1-1, the match went to overtime, but Novacek gave up the takedown and was caught and pinned late in the period.
After the 41-27 loss to Century, the Gators dropped into the fifth place match versus New-London Spicer from Minnesota’s Section 6AA. The Gators looked to defeat New-London Spicer following a close loss to them at last year’s tournament. They picked up six victories, including one forfeit, and had a chance to win the dual late, but New-London Spicer’s six pins proved too much to overcome for the Gators, eventually losing 42-34. Four victories came via pin, including from Bergeron, Becker, Kaml, and Seth Dostal (145). Novacek won the only Gator decision, controlling his match throughout to take an 8-2 victory. Needing the pin to give the Gators the one-point win, Sovde faced-off against New-London Spicer’s Tom Stageberg at 138. Sovde wrestled hard against a strong opponent, but lost 5-0.
The Gator JV also competed at the Sertoma on Friday. Three Gators went 3-0 to take home first place, including Collin Berard, Austin Maurstad, and Andy Dostal. Those Gators taking home second place finishes included Daron Sikorski and Ely Novacek. Tanner Foss and Dale Grindahl each finished third, and Tyler Isane and Joe Dezelar took home fourth place. Isaac Dostal and Avery Auguston rounded out the placing, each finishing sixth. Ethan Novacek also competed but didn’t place.
Gator Junior High wrestlers competed on Saturday. Dale Grindahl picked up the lone first place finish, and Joe Dezelar, Andy Dostal, and Derrick Corneliusen all finished second. Zach Evans and Ethan Gorsouch finished third, Brandon Pries and Kobe Dostal fourth, and Tristan Locken and Jacob Bergsnev tied for fifth in their own weight classes.
The Gators will head back to the practice room to prepare for the grueling two-day Big Bear tournament in Cass Lake on December 19-20. A strong crowd supported the Gators in Grand Forks, and they surely look for that same support as they conclude their pre-holiday schedule. GO GATORS!
Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 60, Grand Forks Red River 18
106 — Owen Novacek, BGMR, by forfeit
113 — Bryce Bergeron, BGMR, by forfeit
120 — Isaak Isane, BGMR, over Jaden Haugen 0:53
126 — Wyatt Becker, BGMR, over Tyler Larimer 1:33
132 — Nash Sovde, BGMR, over Tyler Braunhausen 1:35
138 — Nick Kaml, BGMR, over Dylan Dahlstrom 0:37
145 — Seth Dostal, BGMR, over Larry Pope 1:30
152 — Malek Larimer, RR, over Brandon Waage 6-4
160 — Jamison Richter, RR, over Hunter Gullikson 1:39
170 — Wyatt Goulet, RR, by forfeit
182 — Devin Pries, BGMR, over Zach Hettwer 4:51
195 — Beau Blumer, BGMR, over Ryan Williams 0:25
220 — Logan Goulet, RR, over Adam Lorenson 8-5
285 — Douglas Peterson, BGMR, by forfeit
West Fargo 55, Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 12
106 — Justin Harms, WF, over Owen Novacek 4:45
113 — Keegan Cronin, WF, over Bryce Bergeron 1:40
120 — Jared Franek, WF, over Isaak Isane 5:20
126 — Wyatt Becker, BGMR, over Jordan Gianakos 3:13
132 — Nash Sovde, BGMR, over Lincoln Kranz 8-4
138 — Jacob Franek, WF, over Nick Kaml 4-3
145 — Jordan Shearer, WF, over Seth Dostal 2:44
152 — Brandon Waage, BGMR, over Christian Ramberg 4-2
160 — Jesse Shearer, WF, over Hunter Gullikson 11-1
170 — Westin Dobler, WF, by forfeit
182 — Chase Teiken, WF, over Devin Pries 8-2
195 — Zach Lehmann, WF, over Beau Blumer 2:31
220 — Brandon Metz, WF, over Adam Lorenson 0:39
285 — Zach Willis, WF, over Douglas Peterson 5-0
Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 39, Grand Forks Central 30
106 — Owen Novacek, BGMR, over Carson Williams 1:51
113 — Bryce Bergeron, BGMR, over Dylan Jenkins 2:47
120 — Isaak Isane, BGMR, over Carlos Balboa 2:23
126 — Wyatt Becker, BGMR, over Chase Mullane 1:05
132 — Nash Sovde, BGMR, over Anthony Lamberson 5-2
138 — Brandon Hanson, GFC, over Nick Kaml 3-2
145 — Jesus Flores, GFC, over Seth Dostal 7-1
152 — Brandon Waage, BGMR, over Bryce Brandon 3:55
160 — Gordon Isler, GFC, over Tyler Isane 3:58
170 — Dylan Kuchera, GFC, over Tanner Foss 13-10
182 — Spencer Oen, GFC, over Devin Pries 5:15
195 — Beau Blumer, BGMR, over Joey Gerzewski 1:04
220 — Nick Escobar, GFC, over Adam Lorenson 1:45
285 — Brady Terrill, GFC, over Douglas Peterson 3-1
Bismarck Century 41, Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 27
106 — Shane Fleck, BC, over Owen Novacek 5:42
113 — Bryce Bergeron, BGMR, over Isaiah Bitz 7-6
120 — Mason Schulz, BC, over Isaak Isane 11-0
126 — Wyatt Becker, BGMR, over Trey Pajimula 10-3
132 — Nash Sovde, BGMR, over Bobby Edick 5-4
138 — Nick Kaml, BGMR, over Bo Bondeson 2:04
145 — Hunter Eckert, BC, over Seth Dostal 0:50
152 — Brandon Waage, BGMR, over Tyler Ness 2:22
160 — Cameron Rants, BC, over Hunter Gullikson 1:21
170 — Jacob Rader, BC, over Tanner Foss 1:14
182 — Aaron Were, BC, over Devin Pries 5-1
195 — Beau Blumer, BGMR, over Trace Moravec 1:55
220 — Trace Moravec, BC, over Adam Lorenson 0:28
285 — Seth Braun, BC, over Douglas Peterson 11-1
New London-Spicer 42, Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 34
106 — Owen Novacek, BGMR, over Sam Stageberg 8-2
113 — Bryce Bergeron, BGMR, over Chad Morton 4:43
120 — Nate Thein, NLS, over Austin Maurstad 5:02
126 — Wyatt Becker, BGMR, over Reagan Toedter 2:08
132 — Tom Stageberg, NLS, over Nash Sovde 5-0
138 — Nick Kaml, BGMR, over Ben Tiffany 2:07
145 — Seth Dostal, BGMR, over Jacob Travis 2:47
152 — Trey Austvold, NLS, over Brandon Waage 4-2
160 — Logan Eckhoff, NLS, over Tyler Isane 0:32
170 — Josh Sione, NLS, over Tanner Foss 1:42
182 — Jared Travis, NLS, over Devin Pries 0:51
195 — Beau Blumer, BGMR, by forfeit
220 — Noah Welsh, NLS, over Adam Lorenson 0:34
285 — Brandon Knisley, NLS, over Douglas Peterson 1:50