The Minnewaska Area wrestling team is set to open up the new season Thursday, Dec. 5 with a home triangular followed by the Big Lake Invitational, Friday, Dec. 6.

The Lakers, coached by Chip Rankin, Jared Lyle and Tate Card, also have a home triangular set for Thursday, Dec. 19, along with the Minnewaska Area Invitational (Jan. 10) and another triangular at home, Tuesday, Jan. 14.

The Lakers had a great season in 2023-24, going 9-9 overall, including a 4-2 mark in the WCC, while also sending five wrestlers to the state tourney.  “We should have a good season this year and we’re hoping to swap out a few losses this season,” coach Chip Rankin said.

Minnewaska Area moved from Section 5A to Section 8AA last year, but the change didn’t seem to bother the Lakers, who sent the second-most wrestlers to the state tourney from all the section teams last year.

DGF eventually won the section title with a 28-21 win over Perham.  DGF sent the most wrestlers to state from Section 8AA last year with seven.

In the WCC last winter, Team United placed first (6-0), West Central Area was second (5-1) and the Lakers were third (4-2) out of seven WCC teams.

•  Earning state berths last year for the Lakers were seniors Myles Reichmann (172 pounds) and Jayce Kovarik (160), junior Chase Smith (133), and freshmen Miles Wildman (114) and Landon Schiffler (107).

“If you had told me we would have had two state wrestlers, I would have been happy, but to have five going to state is unreal,” coach Rankin said following the section tourney last winter.  “I’m so proud of this team.”

Kovarik and Reichmann both went 0-2 at state, while Schiffler and Smith were both 1-2 and Wildman was 3-2 to earn fourth place during the Class AA competition.

It was the third-straight state berth for Smith, who went 2-2 at state as a ninth-grader, 2-3 as a sophomore on the way to placing sixth and 1-2 last year.  It was also the second-straight state trip for Wildman, who went 3-2 at state as an eighth-grader to place fifth.

Wildman and Reichmann earned their state berths by placing first at the Section 8AA Tourney, while the other three state qualifiers placed second at the section meet.

Smith earned his 100th career victory midway through last season, becoming at least the 31st Minnewaska Area wrestler to reach that milestone, while Wildman will have a chance for his 100th win early this year.

Seniors lost to graduation from last year’s Laker wrestling team were Cole Kittelson, Garrett Jungclaus, Jayce Kovarik, Myles Reichmann and Nathan Dell.  “We have a lot of experience in our lower weights, compared to last year, but we traded that for some inexperience in the upper weights after the loss of the seniors,” Rankin said.

Last year’s awards

The Lakers had eight wrestlers with at least 19 wins last season — Miles Wildman (39-5), Chase Smith (32-14), Landon Schiffler (31-16), Myles Reichmann (27-17), Jayce Kovarik (20-12), Cole Kittelson (20-10), Riley Dell (17-13) and Isaiah Rosario (18-25).

The great news for Laker fans is that only three of those wrestlers graduated, while the other five return to wrestle for the Lakers this year.

In addition, Noah Jensen, who was 26-15 as a sophomore before being injured his junior year, will return this year for the Lakers to give the team a big boost in the upper weights. “We have some wrestle-offs this week.  The good news is that we’ll have a quality wrestler at every weight,” Rankin said.

•  Earning the varsity MVP award last winter was Miles Wildman, while Alex Adams won the MVP honor for the JV team and 9th grade.  Recognized as captains for the 2023-24 season were Nathan Dell, Jayce Kovarik, Myles Reichmann and Cole Kittelson.

Earning the varsity Most Improved Award last year was Austyn Schuler, while selected for the Most Dedicated Award was Myles Reichmann, winning the Hearts and Guts Award was Sawyer Erickson, named the Rookie of the Year was Jack Payne, winning the Character Award was Chase Smith, elected for the “Mr. Clutch” Award was Riley Dell, and earning the Adversity Award was Jayce Kovarik.

Earning All-Conference for the Lakers last year were Miles Wildman, Myles Reichmann, Chase Smith, Cole Kittelson and Landon Schiffler, while Austyn Schuler, Isiah Rosario and Riley Dell were honorable mention.