FARGO — Three Devils Lake boys made it to the state wrestling quarterfinals on Thursday at the Fargodome.
The trio was headlined by Rylan Samuelson, who later advanced to the semis.
Seven others remained alive. A total of 13 Firebirds represented the boys’ team at state.
“It just shows how hard the kids work,” Devils Lake head coach Brendon Flynn said. “We talk all the time about just performing and believing in yourself and doing something great. And I’m just really proud of them, because it takes a lot of effort, and it takes a lot of belief in yourself to get to where we’re at.”
First round
Max Volk, Gregor Samuelson and R. Samuelson all won their first-round matches, earning a spot in the quarterfinals.
But the Firebirds lost seven of their first eight matches to begin the day.
The lone win in that span was Volk. Seeded No. 11 in the 139, he beat No. 6 seed Zachary Nelson (Grand Forks Central). Volk trailed 1-0 after an escape in the second period, but he muscled out a 6-1 decision with two takedowns.
“I’ve been waiting for it all season,” Flynn said. “It’s clicking. [Volk]’s running on all cylinders. And it’s just fun to see him go out there and really showcase what he can do. He’s been there [in] so many close matches this year with a lot of these guys, and now it’s all falling into place for him.”
Logan Charboneau was slightly favored in his matchup, seeded No. 8 against the No. 9 seed. But he lost by technical fall, 19-3. He and the Samuelsons were the only Firebirds to have a higher seed in their first-round matchups.
G. Samuelson got Devils Lake back in the win column. The freshman, seeded No. 7 in the 107 weight class, won by major decision — 8-0 — against No. 10 seed Oliver Davidson (West Fargo).
R. Samuelson began his quest to return to the state finals with a technical fall. Seeded No. 2 in the 121, Samuelson achieved a 16-0 score at 2:17 against No. 15 seed Coltyn Mueller (West Fargo Horace).
Quarterfinals
Volk, after upsetting the No. 6 seed, fell to No. 3 seed Korbin Kraft (Minot). He lost by major decision, 15-2.
G. Samuelson put up a fight in his match. He lost a neck-and-neck 6-5 decision to No. 2 seed Brahnan Heidt (Bismarck Legacy). Samuelson trailed 5-0 after a reversal in the third period, then tied it up with a reversal and a near fall. A late escape by Heidt made the difference.
It was still a tremendously competitive showing for the young freshman.
“Gregor had a really good day,” Flynn said. “Gregor showed up determined, and really wanted something. … Just like his brother, they just both made their minds up today on what they wanted, and performed really well, and it showed. To take the No. 2 seed to one point, he needs to be proud of that.”
R. Samuelson was the third and final Firebird to compete in the quarters. He had to grind it out for two periods before securing a pin at 3:59 against No. 10 seed Blake Schneider (Bismarck Legacy).
He never trailed in the match, but a 3-0 lead became 3-3 in the second period. He led 5-3 when he got the pin.
Samuelson took a deep breath after locking down the win.
“Every match is different,” Flynn said. “Sometimes kids do different matchups, different styles. But Rylan’s just that kid. He just finds a way.”
First-round wrestle backs
Of the 10 Firebirds who moved to the first consolation round, seven recorded wins to stay alive.
The winners were Tucker Bennett (fall 0:25), Logan Charboneau (fall 0:54), Coby Dronen Levitt (decision 14-7), Easton Encinas (decision 1-0), Aiden Stiven (pin 1:56), Wesley Fisk (decision 5-3) and Caber Bryce Volk (pin 1:55).
“I’m proud of how we responded,” Flynn said. “We had a tough first round, and some guys lost that we thought were going to win. But it’s always how you respond, how you pick yourself up after defeats, and that’s a true test of character. And I’m super proud of what they did and the character that they showed. Even the guys that lost, they went out and they fought. And that’s all we talk about. That’s all we hope for.”
The consolation rounds continue Friday at the Fargodome.
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