Park wrestling returns – albeit without one of its all-time greats in the graduated Ginnar Mullen, a six-year starter and the Wolfpack’s all-time win leader.
It’s probably also …
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Park wrestling returns – albeit without one of its all-time greats in the graduated Ginnar Mullen, a six-year starter and the Wolfpack’s all-time win leader.
It’s probably also the swan song for longtime head coach Jim LaBrosse, wo likely will step down as head coach after this season to take an assistant’s job in a transition role next season.
Mullen finished fifth at state in the 172-pound Class AAA division.
Also missing from the lineup are graduated Kyler Jubinal and Joey Chilton, both of whom also wrestled at state last season.
But the cupboard is far from bare for the Wolfpack, and that starts with senior captains Zack Carr, who went to state at 152 pounds last winter, Dylan Richardson (189) whose season was cut short by injury last surgery and Jesse Wright (215). All three have lofty goals this winter.
Sophomores Nolan Bloch (107 pounds), Landen Brooks (139) and Jackson Jubinal (127) are three other Park wrestling standouts to watch for this season.
LaBrosse thinks five to seven wrestlers have legitimate shots to go to state this season.
Carr (fifth at 160 pounds), Richardson (fifth at 189) and Bloch (seventh at 107) are all ranked in The Guillotine’s individual preseason rankings.
“The rankings are a little messed up right now, said LaBrosse about Carr and Richardson. “But I see them climbing soon. Same with Nolan Bloch at 107, he’s seventh cause he’s beaten the five and the six already last year. It’s just kind of how things go. Jesse Wright is right on the bubble at 215 once we get him down there.”
Other veterans back include juniors Layne Frandrup and Wyatt Murphy and sophomore Jackson Vanhorn.
Richardson returns
Ricardson, a 2024 state tournament qualifier, severely injured a knee in the last regular meet last season and mussed the rest of the year. A complex surgery followed, and he won’t be eligible to compete the first two weeks of the season.
“They did a whole slew of stuff to put me back together and now I’m wrestling on two knee braces,” Richardson said.
Ricardson has lofty goals this season. “Go podium at state,” Richardson said. “I could have last year. A month or so before I tore it I had beaten the guy who ended up taking third. If I can make it back to where I should have been last year, I’ll be happy.”
Carr sets sights on a state title
Like Richardson, Carr is also coming in off injuries, his sustained during this past football season. He says he is fully recovered and ready to wrestle this season.
Carr (44-4 last season) has qualified for four consecutive state tournaments, moving up from 106 pounds as an eighth grader in 2022 to 160 pounds now. Carr wrestled at 152 pounds a year ago but dropped his opening match at state and didn’t get a second match.
“State title,” Carr said when asked what his goals for the season were. “None less besides a state title. (I need to) just keep grinding in the room, get my reattacks off and just wrestle how I wrestle.”
Wright has state goals as well
Wright will wrestle at 215 this year after being so close to making a state tournament trip last season, missing by the narrowest of margins. Wright was leading Elijah Christopher of Hastings 9-7 in the second-place match at sections until the final seconds when Christopher pulled off a controversial three-point takedown for a 10-9 win.
“I think as a team making state would be a great thing,” said Wright. “Getting close to most likely Hastings in our section would be probably who we would face. As an individual making state and placing this year would be a big thing for me.”
Park also has 23 freshmen coming in, two eighth graders and a seventh grader, making up a wrestling room of 44, one of the largest squads in years.
“It’s kind of exciting to get this new blood coming in and there’s a lot of opportunities for kids to get on the varsity and get some competition and some experience,” said LaBrosse.
Ninth grader Carson Fritsche will likely go at heavyweight. “These guys have been in the middle school program since the sixth, seventh grader. We’re excited for them; it’s going to be a fun year.”
As usual, Park will face some of the best teams in Class AAA this season, including second-ranked Stillwater, fourth-ranked Hastings, sixth-ranked Mounds View, 10th-ranked Forest Lake, 11th ranked Elk River and 12th ranked Centennial. The Dec. 11 matches against Forest Lake and Stillwater will be challenging.
“We’ve got some competition right away,’ agreed LaBrosse.
Park opens the season Thursday, Dec. 4, wrestling Woodbury and host Mounds View in a match starting at 5 p.m. Park will have just three home matches this season, and the first not until a triangular with Eagan and Roseville Thursday, Jan. 22. Park’s other two home matches are Friday, Jan. 30 and Thursday. Feb. 5. The section meet this season is Feb. 13 at Woodbury.
