Girls Wrestling: Hendrickson, Smith, & Berg are Runners-up

Girls wrestling had its second state meet. Three area athletes finished at state runner-up. GMLOS’ McKenna Hendrickson (132) and Diann Smith (138), and Chatfield’s Chloe Berg (126) also wrestled for state titles. Smith, last year’s runner-up at 138, won a 16-2 major in the quarters over #10 Brook Kritzeck (6-6) of Park Rapids Area and a fall in the semis over Anoka’s #5 Alley Altringer (9-2) to make the finals. There, the #2-ranked junior fell to Bertha-Hewitt/V/PP’s #4 Abby Ervasti (22-4) by 3-1 decision. Smith (23-4) repeated as runner-up. Hendrickson, ranked #3, won a quarterfinal fall over Bemidji’s #10 Imrie Mistic (12-16) and an 18-15 decision over Centennial’s #2 Jaden Ruegsegger (13-2). Hendrickson had a 14-point second period in that match to lead 17-9, but suffered three late third period near-fall points, holding on for the win. In the finals, the senior (20-3) fell to Shakopee’s #1 Joel Makem (12-0) by fall. It was Hendrickson’s only year of wrestling. Chatfield’s Berg (126), ranked #3, won a 10-1 major over Hastings’ #7 Annabel Norquist (13-7) and by fall over St. Michael-Albertville’s #10 Claire Kvant (13-7) to make the finals. There, the sophomore fell by fall to Shakopee’s #1 Cassandra Gonzalez (13-0). GMLOS’ #5 McKenzie Armagost (126) took fifth, falling to #1 Gonzales, then winning by disqualification over Bemidji’s #4 Tori Bahr (22-10) and 9-8 decision over St. Croix-Lutheran’s #6 Amelia Converse (13-8). The senior (23-8) trailed 7-5 in the third before getting an escape, a takedown, and near-fall points. Finally, FCLMC’s #5 Katie Whelan (185) also took fifth. She fell back 7-2 and lost by 8-6 decision to St. Paul Humboldt’s #2 Chae Hay Htoo (6-2) in the quarters. The junior then beat Hastings’ #7 Isabel Fritz (9-8) by fall and Osakis’ #6 Joy Kral (7-6) by 7-6 decision. In the latter match, Whelan trailed 6-2, but got a third period takedown and three back points for the win.