Gator Girls Compete in Section 7 & 8Tournament
BGMR-TC girls wrestlers traveled to Brainerd, MN Feb 7-8 and competed in the Section 7 & 8 Individual Girls Sections. This “super section” proved to be quite the competition as 250 girls participated. Girls wrestling is still on the rise in Minnesota, and the number of participants made for large bracket sizes reaching its height of 30 girls in the 118lb category. “Super Section” 7 & 8 drew the largest numbers in the state and each of these weight classes were on the hunt for 2 state qualifying spots in their respective weight class.
The BGMR-TC entered 4 wrestlers this season. Senior Cheyenne Wergin from GMR, had a strong showing in her first in the 190lb match against Keely Hale. Wergin battled for position in the first period, a solid takedown put her up 3-0 going into the second. With the momentem she hit a strong headlock and won by pin with a Fall at the 5:13 mark. In the quarter final Wergin met up with the number 1 seed Jasmin Downer. In an unfortunate situation Wergin was injured in the first period and medical forfeited from the remainder of the tournament.
Junior, Gracie Boen, from Tri-County was met with a competitive 17-person bracket in the 170 class. Boen would receive a bye in her first round and meet up with Aryella Pomplun from Grand Rapids. Boen started strong with the first take down, they would go head to head and tied score of 8-8 in the 2nd period. Pomplun came out quick in the third period with a takedown off the whistle but proved too much for Boen who lost the opening round by fall. Boen went into the consolation rounds against Emma Berg from Proctor-Hermantown and came out successful with a solid 6-3 Decision win to advance to the next round. Consolation round 4 was a quick pin by Forest Lake Alexis Fahey(22-15) and Boen completed her season with a 11-13 record.
Sophomore, Sarah Pulk, seeded one in the 155 bracket of 17 had a solid showing over the two day event. Pulk had a first-round bye, then met up with Tarike Daudt (Walker-Hak-Akeley-Nevis) and won by fall 50 seconds into the match. The quarter final match Pulk faced Megan Meixell from Milaca-Faith Christian (18-12). This match would rack up 4 takedowns and a nearfall with a final pin coming with 7 seconds left in the 1st period. Semifinal match up Pulk faced Lydia Wichmann (22-8) of Moorhead. Pulk again dominated with a pin in the first minute of the match. This solid momentum was unwavering in the finals match against familiar opponent Mandi Lu (Blaine). Lu and Pulk showing similar physique, was a solid match up however technique and experience was the upper hand that put Lu to her back with a pin at the 1:08 mark. Pulk will return to the Girls Minnesota state tournament for the 4th year in a row to defend another state title.
The largest bracket for the Gator Girls team would be the 142 lb in which Madilyn “Madi” Pulk made an appearance. With a 36-8 record the 8th grader was seeded 1st in the 20 person bracket. After a first round bye Madi made for quick work with a 48 second pin against Chloe Swenson from Pequot Lakes – Pink River. Champion Round 2 Madi met up with Bri Voight (Champlin Park). A solid showing from Madi proved too much for Voight as a pin at the 1:05 mark sent Madi into the Semifinal match on day 2. The Semifinal match was the most challenging of the tournament for Madi. She made for a quick takedown in the 1st period but struggled to secure the pin in the first period. Sophomore Monika Fericks of Sauk Centre-Melrose (29-7) chose top going into the second period and showed her strength as a 4 point near fall put Madi down 4-3 but was able to maneuver out with seconds left in the 2nd period. Madi choose the up position going into the 3rd period and made for a solid pin, 26 seconds into the 3rd period. In the section 142 finals match up, Madi matched up with Forest Lake sophmore, Jamie Peterson (36-10). Madi was wasting no time with a takedown :22 seconds into the 1st period putting Peterson on her back, securing the pin for the Section 7 & 8 Champion title. Madi will make her first state appearance this year in a strong 142 state bracket.
