New Ulm’s Hunter Ranweiler makes his second consecutive state tournament appearance after taking fifth last year.

NEW ULM — Sean Howk and Hunter Ranweiler have been each other’s biggest rivals in practice, yet each other’s best friends off the wrestling mats.

Both are hoping that sometime at the end of this week, they will end the season at Xcel Energy Center with a medal around their neck as one of the top wrestlers in the state.

The Eagle pair, along with Tanner Stark and Cole Ranweiler, will make the trip to the Class AA state wrestling tournament beginning on Friday. It’s the second consecutive year that the Eagles have had four qualifiers for the tournament.

The Class AA portion of the tournament begins at 9 a.m. and all four wrestlers have high expectations, especially Howk and Hunter Ranweiler.

“We have a really good wrestling relationship and we have a great friendship as well,” Ranweiler said. “Every sport that we’re in together [football and wrestling], even though we might not be at the same position, we look for each other to push each other because we know that us two are going to make each other better no matter what. We could be in there at practice wanting to rip each other’s heads off some days, but at the end of practice we’re best friends again.”

Howk said that it’ll be weird next year not practicing with Hunter, but Cole, who is a freshman, will still be around to square off against.

“It’s been really fun, we’ve practiced every day for the past three years together and at meets we always warm up [together],” Howk said. “It’ll be weird next year because he’s been my training partner, but I’ve got his little brother now too.”

Hunter Ranweiler enters as the top seed at 145

Hunter Ranweiler is making his second trip to the state tournament and he took fifth last year in his tournament debut.

“Being up there, just taking in the environment and seeing the competition of wrestlers, how some of those kids [like my semifinal match] are so much farther ahead of you, it shows you how much harder you actually have to work,” Ranweiler said. “To get back there, you know what to expect. Being there and winning a few matches, it really builds confidence and not everyone goes there and wins. Some are just one and done and I was just lucky enough to get into that top six.”

This year, he comes in as the No. 1 seed at 145 pounds with a record of 40-2. Naturally, the senior wants to go out as a champion and he said going in as the top seed was a good feeling.

“It’s kind of mind-blowing, because Sean was the first one to text me [when seedings were out],” Ranweiler said. “He was like ‘you got the 1-seed’ and I didn’t believe him so I had to go check it out.”

He listed A.J. Bethea (46-2) of Hibbing, who is the No. 2 seed, as one of many tough wrestlers that are up there.

While Hunter is making his second trip to the tournament, his younger brother Cole is debuting at Xcel. As the older brother, Hunter naturally has answered a lot of questions from Cole already.

“Right when he made it [to state], he was asking us a thousand questions, me Sean and Tanner,” Hunter said. “He was like ‘I’m so nervous, I don’t know what to do.’ I’m sure he’s proud of himself and I’m sure the nerves will go away once he steps out there.”

Howk is back for a 4th time

Howk is 35-7 on the year. The junior makes his fourth state tournament appearance and he takes on Perham’s Jack Fudge (34-7) in the first round. His bracket includes Fairmont’s Payton Anderson (35-5) who finished second at 132 last year, and Tanner Kroells (37-3) of Delano, who was third at 120 a year ago. Kellen Schauer (50-0) of Grand Rapids also figures to be a title contender as the lone unbeaten wrestler in the bracket.

Howk is no stranger to state competition. However, he has yet to advance to the second day of the tournament and he wants to not only make it to the second day, but he want to be one of the last ones standing.

“I’ve always wanted to be the kid to make the podium and my last three years, it’s been kind of tough and I’ve never made it to second day even,” Howk said. “I’ve just re-thought and try to make second day and go from there. We’ve got more teammates go every year and it was fun watching Hunter Ranweiler make the podium last year. That’s been my big goal lately.”

Howk’s past experiences at state has him more focused this year. He was the runner-up in his section, so he takes on a section champion in the first round. However, that means nothing on Friday.

“I’d say I’m very detail-oriented, I’ve been paying attention to the little stuff in every match now knowing that I have to win the first match, coming out and doing my thing,” Howk said.

Howk’s successful career has added up to some big numbers. He has 164 career wins (164-37 in his career) and he could break Adam Hoffmann’s record for career wins at NUHS with 181 sometime next year. Howk also tied Eric Miller and Hoffmann’s school record for state tournament appearances with four.

Tanner Stark returns for a second time

Stark is making his second trip to the tournament and he opens Friday’s competition against Mahtomedi’s Nate Kujawa (27-19). Stark is competing in the 152-pound class and he has a record of 30-10. He made his tournament debut last year and didn’t get a win, but his coach has high hopes for him this year.

“I am expecting good things this year from him,” Eagles coach John Rieser said. “He has worked really hard, knowing this is his senior year and last opportunity.”

Waconia’s Tyler Wagener (49-1) is the top seed in the bracket and he won a title at 145 last year.

Cole Ranweiler makes his debut

Cole Ranweiler (29-15), a freshman, makes his tournament debut when he takes on Jake Gliva of Simley at 132 pounds. Gliva is a senior and won a state title at 126 pounds last year. He enters the tournament with a record of 44-6.

Cole Ranweiler has a tough road in his bracket, with three returning medal-winners returning. The bracket also includes Brock Luthens (45-1) of Hutchinson who took third at 126 last year. Quinn Youngs (39-2) of Annandale/Maple Lake finished fourth at 126 and Tyler Shackle (35-12) of Scott West finished fifth at 132 last year.

The Ranweilers are the second pair of brothers at NUHS to qualify for the state tournament in the same year. Both Rich and Doug Hoffmann made it to state in 1979, with Rich taking first place and Doug finishing fourth. While it’s an exciting time in the Ranweiler house, both brothers are focused for Friday and Saturday.

“It’s pretty interesting, I don’t think it’s happened for a while in New Ulm where two brothers have been to state,” Hunter Ranweiler said. “It’s kind of chill taking it in, he hasn’t been up there yet so he doesn’t know the full experience but everybody is proud. The best part is both of us are now going and it’s my senior year so we’re happy.”

Sibley East sends 10 to state

The Wolverines turned in a dominating performance on Saturday, sending 10 to the individual state tournament, which begins at 1 p.m. on Friday.

While the team didn’t qualify, Xcel Energy Center will have a very large presence from the Sibley East district.

The 10 state-bound wrestlers is the most head coach Chad Johnson has ever sent, with nine being the previous record and that happened twice.

Eighth-grader Drayden Morton (34-8) is making his tournament debut and he faces Chatfield’s Seth Goetzinger (30-7) in the first round at 106.

At 113, Derek Steele (34-16) wrestles Deer River’s Marshall Michienzi (40-8) and senior Dayne Morton is the top-ranked wrestler at 120, where he will take on Kenyon-Wannamingo’s Bray Olson (25-15). It’s Dayne Morton’s third trip to the state tournament and he has a third-place finish and a runner-up finish on his resume.

Sophomore Lincoln Carpenter (34-12) qualified at 138 and will square off against Osakis’ Gage Zieske (41-1) and senior Tommy Wentzlaff (43-2) will face Frazee’s Hudson Hiemenz (29-13) in the first round at 152. Wentzlaff is making his third appearance, having placed sixth once.

Another senior, Logan Tesch (33-11) will face West Central’s Kaden Spindler (40-3) at 160 and Tim Lewis (24-9) will face Wabasso/Red Rock Central’s Nick Altermatt (31-1) at 170 pounds.

Thomas Battcher, a senior is 21-10 on the year and faces Pipestone Area’s Garret Ploeger (34-7) at 182. Senior Andrew Schauer (38-5) faces Gabe Drewes (27-14) of Frazee at 195 and senior Austin Streich (18-12) will compete against Adrian’s Scot Edwards (24-5).

While the tournament is impossible to predict, Sibley East typically fares well at Xcel. This year could be another good run for the Wolverines.

“I think Dayne and Tommy have the ability to be placewinners,” Johnson said. “Andrew also has a shot. Others are going to have to win one that the rankings dont project. But we have some that I hope prove people wrong.”

Wabasso/RRC sends 2

Junior Jared Schroepfer (32-4) opens the tournament against Matt Ziebell (4-1) at 160 pounds. Jeremiah Colon of Lake Crystal/Wellcome Memorial is the top seed in the bracket.

Altermatt, a senior, brings his 31-1 record against Lewis of Sibley East. Altermatt is the No. 2 seed at 170 pounds, with Osakis’ Colton Waldvogel as the No. 1 seed.

Redwood Valley/River Valley sends 2

Redwood Valley/River Valley has two wrestlers in the Class AA tournament. Kaleb Haase brings his 37-7 record at 220 and he will square off against Blaine Bauman of Orono, who is 22-15.

Simley’s Daniel Kerkvliet is 45-1 on the year and is the top seed and he took first at 195 a year ago. There are two additional medal winners in the class with Steven Hajas (30-2) of Delano and Sam Wamre (35-3) of United Clay Becker.

Chad Maddock is 31-10 at heavyweight and takes on unbeaten Zachary Jakes of Mankato West in the first round. Mitch Trigg (41-2) of Delano is the defending champion and he’ll be back to defend it. Tony Putz (31-2) of St. Peter took sixth last year.