Blake Petrich, Cardinal 189 pounder, worked to complete an escape during his 189 pound match with Ripp Baker from Milaca. Petrich’s state wrestling ended when he was pinned in the first round match. (Staples World photo by Dave Anglin)

The 2010 Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament was held this past week in St. Paul, and four Cardinal wrestlers made the trip this year.

Seniors Jordan Bendson, Dylan Shequen and Ryan Detloff, and sophomore Blake Petrich all qualified for the state tournament by taking first or second in the section tournament a week earlier. All four had a great season this year, but ran into some very stiff competition at the state meet.

Wrestling first for the Cardinals was Jordan Bendson. This was Bendson’s third trip to state, but he was up a weight bracket from the previous years, which put him into the 152 class, which was a tough one this year. He first faced Jesse Punchocar from Annadale/Maple Lake. Although Jordan wrestled tough, Punchocar came out with the 8-6 win.

Making a break Unfortunately, Punchocar lost his next match, which eliminated Jordan’s chance to wrestleback, thus eliminating him from the tournament. Coach Dan Bjerga said, “Jordan simply had a bad draw. I believe that if Jordan would have been given the opportunity to wrestleback, he would have surely placed.” Bendson ended his year 36-2, with 22 pins, and his Cardinal wrestling career with 157 wins and just 39 losses. He also recorded 87 falls throughout his time in the varsity line-up.

Dylan Shequen came out strong on Wednesday, defeating a wrestler from Tracy-Milroy 7-6. “Dylan gave up the first takedown, but he was able to turn him for back points a couple of times to take the lead and win the match,” Bjerga commented.

In the second round Shequen faced a tough Chisago Lakes wrestler and lost 17-3. This put him into wrestlebacks, where he was defeated 15-4. Dylan’s season record was 35-6; he was also a strong force on the SM team in the previous years, recording 87 wins, and 51losses, with 44 career falls.

Last match for senior Cardinal senior Ryan Detloff (back to camera) finished his career at state with two losses. His first match was a loss to Troy Frank of Caledonia (above) while his second match was a 3-1 loss to Dustin Polzine of Adrian. (Staples World photo by Dave Anglin) At 189, sophomore Blake Petrich lost in his first round against Ripp Baker from Milaca. Baker went on to lose his next match, which eliminated Petrich from getting another chance.

Bjerga said, “I personally don’t like the fact that a wrestler can be eliminated in just one match, something that happened to both Jordan and Blake. I really wish that the MSHSL would someday consider changing it to a double-elimination tournament.” Petrich had a great year, and has two more to look forward to.

Ryan Detloff, wrestling his last year for the Cardinals before moving on after graduation, competed in the 215 pound bracket. Although he lost his first match, he ended up in wrestlebacks due to his opponent winning his next match. Detloff took on Dustin Polzine of Adrian, and was just one takedown short of tying the match and sending it into overtime, said his coach.

Hard luck wrestlers Detloff’s record this year was 32-8, and his career ended with a record of 81- 44, including 37 pins, twelve of them coming this season.

“I think the guys got a good taste of the high level of competition there is throughout the state. The state tournament is really intimidating for some wrestlers. It also doesn’t give the wrestlers an ideal setting to prepare for their match. I think both these factors had a negative impact in our performance. But re- gardless of what these guys did at the state tournament, it doesn’t take away the great season they all had and everything they accomplished,” Bjerga added.

Switch Cardinal DylanShequen looks to be tyring to get his state tournament opponent into position for a cradle hold. (Staples World photo by Dave Anglin) He also said he would like to recognize the four senior captains and the great job that they did this season. “Sam Duberowski, Detloff, Shequen and Bendson have all been a pleasure to work with. They demonstrated excellent leadership skills, and set some good examples for the underclassmen in terms of their work ethic and their desire to improve, compete and succeed. These guys are going to be greatly missed.”