Coby Dronen Levitt wrestles an opponent from No. 1 seed (West) Bismarck Legacy in the 2026 state duals. (Photo by Mojo Hill)
FARGO — Devils Lake made it to state duals but lost both matches to conclude the 2026 state wrestling tournament on Saturday.
The Firebirds were the No. 4 seed from the East. They lost to No. 1 seed (West) Bismarck Legacy and No. 2 seed (East) Grand Forks Central at the Fargodome.
It ended a three-day run at the state tournament.
“Just be proud of what we’ve done and what we’ve accomplished,” Devils Lake head coach Brendon Flynn said. “Win or lose, just the effort we put in and being on this stage, it’s that spirit of gratitude. Just take everything in and don’t take anything for granted. And now it’s just building for next year. We say congratulations to our seniors, and ‘thank you’ for everything they’ve done, and now the challenge is for the underclassmen: Can we do it again? And can we finish even higher?”
Late Saturday morning, Devils Lake lost 72-0 to Bismarck Legacy.
The match started with three consecutive technical falls. The next seven Firebirds were pinned.
Caber Bryce Volk and Logan Charboneau were at least able to extend their matches into the third period. Bryer Eversvik, Max Volk and Coby Dronen Levitt went into the second period.
The closest match of the dual was Gregor Samuelson’s in the 107 weight class. He lost a 4-0 decision.
The dual ended with Rylan Samuelson, an individual state runner-up in the 121 weight class, forfeiting as the match was already out of reach.
Devils Lake moved to a consolation semifinal matchup with Grand Forks Central.
The Firebirds lost, 47-25. It was an improvement from their 51-12 defeat during the regular season.
Max Volk got a pin at 3:23 in the 139 match. It tied the dual at the time, 6-6.
The next three Firebirds, and four of the first five overall, were pinned.
Dronen Levitt got Devils Lake back in the win column with a 15-5 major decision victory. His 3-0 lead became a 4-3 deficit after two periods, but he had a huge third period to get it done. He beat Ayden Hinsey, a state placer in the individuals.
The win earned four team points.
“I was extremely happy for Coby because he’s always been there,” Flynn said. “He’s come so close so many times in the blood rounds. And then for him to go out, and gets the win against a kid that placed pretty high yesterday, that’s a great feeling. That’s a testament to who he is, and never giving up. I mean, a lot of kids in his situation would have. After they dislocate their elbow, they have every reason to say, ‘I’m done.’ But he came back, he fought his way back and he finished with a win. And that’s just something he’ll remember the rest of his life.”
The next three Firebirds were pinned as Devils Lake fell behind 47-10.
G. Samuelson, who wrestled at 107 all tournament, moved up to 114 for the final dual. He won a competitive 5-4 decision. He led 3-0, then went behind 4-3 after a near fall in the second period. He took the lead with a reversal. The younger Samuelson grinded through a scoreless third period to secure the three-point team win.
“He told me he could pin him,” Flynn said. “That’s why I love Gregor. … He was like, ‘Yeah, I can do it Coach. I got ‘im.’ So we did, and we sent it. He didn’t pin him, but he got the win.”
Ty Volk got a chance in the 107 in Samuelson’s place. He was pinned at 1:56.
R. Samuelson got back in the mix for his last match of an eventful state tournament. He pinned his opponent at 1:31.
And then, it ended with one final pin.
Wesley Fisk recorded a victory at 3:30 while leading 9-0.
The Firebirds departed the mat with smiles.
“That’s a great way to end it, especially for a senior,” Flynn said. “Go out, final match, the lights are on him, and get a pin — that’s just something, again, that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. And I’m glad that he got to experience that.”
Final hugs and pleasantries were shared after the match. For the seniors, it was their last dose of high school wrestling.
Devils Lake also had a record 10 wrestlers make academic all-state.
“It’s such an emotional moment with [the seniors], because you spend so much time together, and you invest in so much time,” Flynn said. “And you go through every win and loss with them. You always want them to go out with a win, and thankfully, some of our guys did.
“It’s so much raw emotion, man, and it’s just — ah, it’s a great feeling.”
