The state wrestling championships are almost a wrap at Xcel Energy Center, and our B-B-E Jaguars wrestling team has officially concluded the season. The entire 2023-2024 season came down to a handful of very special performances by four members of the team in the finals round tonight. For three of the four, they all finished the tournament with exciting wins and all by falls: Ryan Jensen for third at 139, Tanner Viessman for fifth at 145 and Carson Gilbert for third at 215.
The best was saved for last, and B-B-E senior Maximus Hanson is our first-ever back-to-back state champion!! He battled through a scoreless first period in the 172 championship against Crookston senior Carter Coauette. The second period shifted in favor of Hanson after he earned an escape with 21 seconds elapsed. With 32 seconds to go in the second period, Hanson got a takedown and a two-point near fall for a 5-0 lead. Final: Hanson 10, Coauette 5. It's a win by a decision!
**Here's a video featuring a good portion of Hanson's first period:
Hanson joins Class of 2022 graduate Walker Bents as a two-time state champion. Bents won individual state titles in 2020 and 2022. As a junior, Hanson won the 170-pound title after entering the tournament as a No. 3 seed.
Here's a video featuring the pre-championship handshakes with all classes of wrestlers on the arena floor at Xcel Energy Center:
**Announcement: the wrestling team will have a welcome-home ceremony tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the high school. Spread the word!
