This past Friday and Saturday, two Dragon wrestlers participated in the MSHSL state wrestling tournament at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Brayan Anaya would wrestle in the 106 bracket and fall one match short of placing. Scot Edwards would repeat his last state performance, as he would finish as the state runner up in the 285 bracket.
106- After winning the section tournament the prior week, Brayan Anaya looked to carry this momentum into the state tournament. Anaya was able to start his tournament strong as he was able to defeat Carter Coquette (Crookston) by fall in 4:30. In the quarterfinals, Anaya faced Jevon Williams (ACGC) and would fall just short in this match. Anaya would find himself in a 4-4 tie heading into the third period, but after giving up a takedown and near fall, Anaya was unable to come back, losing the match by a 9-4 decision. In the wrestlebacks, Anaya faced Hunter Gruchow (West Central Area-Ashby-Brandon-Evansville). Anaya was able to bounce back in this round defeating Gruchow by fall in 3:35. Anaya would see his tournament come to an end, as he would lose a 11-3 decision to Marhall Larson (Aitkin) in the second round of wrestlebacks. Anaya finished his sophomore season with a 24-4 record.
285- Scot Edwards entered the tournament looking to improve upon his second-place finish from last year’s tournament. Edwards faced Spencer Welsh (Dover-Eyota) in the first round of the tournament and won by fall in :32. In the quarterfinals, Edwards was able to win his match against Jakob Swalla (Minnewaska Area) in overtime. After heading into overtime with a 1-1 score, Edwards was able to get a takedown giving him the win with a 3-1 decision. In the semifinals, Edwards faced Tanner Berghuis (ACGC). After finding himself in an early 5-0 deficit, Edwards was able to catch Berghuis in a roll and pin him in 4:30, giving Edwards another shot at a state championship. Edwards found himself in a repeat of last year’s state finals, as he would have to face Craig Orlando (Bertha-Hewitt-Verndale-Parkers Prarie), the two-time state champion. Looking for a different result this year, Edwards tried to catch Orlando early in the match, but was unsuccessful. Edwards would ultimately end up falling to Orlando, resulting in Edwards second straight state runner up finish. Edwards finished his senior season with a 34-4 record.
