Centennial Crowned 2024 MN/USA State Champions in Thrilling State Duals Tournament

Rochester, MN. – 3/14/2024:  The energy was electric, the action wild, and the competition fierce as 16 teams gathered in Rochester for the MN/USA Folkstyle Team Dual Championships. After a day filled with great wrestling matches and intense battles, Centennial emerged as the 2024 MN/USA State Champions, capping off a remarkable journey with an impressive 6-0 record.

Throughout the tournament, Centennial showcased their power, defeating St. Francis, Wayzata, Farmington, Stillwater, New Prague, and Becker in the championship finals. With an astounding 62 pins and 4 technical falls, Centennial amassed a total of 359 team points, securing their place as the top team in the state.

Becker put up a valiant fight and emerged as the runner-up with a commendable 5-1 record, with wins over Zimmerman, NRHEG, New Prague, Wayzata, and Northfield. Meanwhile, Northfield claimed the third-place finish with a 4-2 record, showcasing their resilience and skill throughout the tournament after dropping their opening round match by criteria.

New Prague secured the fourth-place finish, while Lakeville rounded out the top five with a solid 5-1 record, showcasing their strength as a program.

Some remarkable individual performances that carried significance for their teams included three wrestlers with 6 pins on the day.  They were Levi Zierden and Jude Ricks from Rogers and Camden Batton from Farmington.  These three along with Prior Lakes, Zeke Mikolyzk scored the maximum team points possible with 36.

Maverick Liffrig and Camden Stancer from Rogers had the most single match points with 22 and 19 respectively.  Alek Kokotovich from Prior Lake stood out with the most total match points with 71, followed by Jace Evers from Stillwater with 62, Bowen Connelly from New Prague with 57, and Rylan Kujawa with 56 showcasing the depth of talent among the competitors.

Minnesota/USA Wrestling extends a heartfelt thank you to all who participated in making the 2024 MN/USA State Duals Tournament a resounding success. From the clubs and coaches to the wrestlers and supporting communities, your dedication and enthusiasm contributed to an unforgettable event that celebrated the spirit of wrestling in Minnesota.

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