On Feb. 26, 2016  Nate Johnson, Jesse Sattler, juniors, and Trevon Pettigrew, senior,  competed in the class 6AAA Individual Wrestling State tournament at the Xcel Energy Center.

In his first match, Johnson competed against and defeated Zach Dehmer from St. Michael Albertville by a judge’s choice of 6-1. Johnson then faced Hunter Rajkowski from Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. As time expired, Johnson found himself down 2-12. Johnson was not done as he got to compete in a third match where he faced Anthony Meister from Elk River. The match ended with a pin down by Meister in the fourth minute, which concluded Johnson’s State tournament run.

Sattler dominated his first match as he dropped his opponent Derek Edwards from Hastings in 1 minute and 32 seconds. Sattler then faced Zach Smith from Prior Lake. The match ended with a judge’s decision of 2-7, Smith. Sattler was also granted a third match. His opponent was Connor Higgins from Rochester John Marshall; Sattler was pinned in 4 minutes and 32 seconds.  

“I was most impressed about my first win. I was not seeded in the tournament and faced the 7th seed and pinned him in the first period,” said Sattler. There is nothing I feel like I did wrong, however if I want to place next year I know I have a lot to do this offseason to prepare for that. In wrestling there is a huge step between a good wrestler and an elite wrestler.”

Pettigrew faced Gable Steveson from Apple Valley in his first match. Stevenson went undefeated during regular season. Pettigrew battled hard and lasted 1 minute and 46 seconds until he was pinned. Stevenson then went on to win the State championship. Pettigrew wrestled a second match against Jonathan Lorang of Rochester Mayo. After another well fought match Pettigrew found himself down 1-3, judge’s decision.