Devils Lake boys’ wrestling continuing to build numbers, competitiveness

The Devils Lake boys’ wrestling program is continuing to thrive on numbers.

The Firebirds’ varsity roster has four seventh-graders, four eighth-graders, 12 freshmen, seven sophomores, 13 juniors and four seniors.

“We just keep finding new guys,” Devils Lake head coach Brendon Flynn said. “And I credit that to the kids and what they’re putting out, and the product they’re putting out. I can only recruit so much. But when people come to watch you and they enjoy what they see, or they see their friends having success, and they see a program having success, people want to be a part of that.”

Flynn added that social media has been a boost for them in spreading the word on what the wrestlers are up to. Devils Lake has reinstalled some vigor into its wrestling program after a down period in the mid 2010s. Coming off a strong showing at state, where three Firebirds made the finals and numerous others competed, they’re looking to do it all again this season with another big crew.

“We have a really good group of kids coming back that have been with me for a while,” Flynn said. “We’ve got a lot of varsity experience, and it’s really showing in the practice room with their leadership. And then it’s also showing when we go out and compete. And it’s been really fun to watch these guys grow and go put on a product that’s fun to watch. So it’ll be really exciting to see, once we start wrestling really tough competition, to see how that goes.”

Last year, the Firebirds were led by seniors Owen Lindstrom and Braxton Rance — both state finalists — along with sophomore Rylan Samuelson, who was another state finalist. Lindstrom and Rance are now competing at the college ranks.

“We were kind of used to those guys being around,” Flynn said. “So this year I talked, like, this year is really about accountability. Because those guys were very good at holding their teammates accountable, and now that they’re gone, who’s going to step up and fill those shoes? Who’s going to be that guy who’s going to be holding the team accountable and making sure that everyone’s doing what they’re supposed to, and not just me?”

Coby Dronen Levitt and Wesley Fisk, now seniors on this year’s team, have slid into the leaders’ spots.

“Coby and Wes are two guys that I can count on that really stepped into that role,” Flynn said. “Then I have some juniors, Easton [Encinas] and some other guys that have really stepped up and done very well for us, and really took on those leadership roles and getting after guys and making sure that we’re doing stuff.”

Samuelson is now a junior and has already been to the state finals. Thus, it’s a big year for him.

Samuelson competes at the 121 weight class level. One mustn’t be fooled by his relative lack of size — he’s one of the most competitive wrestlers in the state.

“I’m just looking at him to continue to build off what he started last year, and just continue to grow into that dude that he is,” Flynn said. “He goes out there and he plays chess. He’s very calculated, does his film study, knows his guys, knows his opponents, knows what they like to do, knows his tendencies and their tendencies. And it’s just fun to see him go out there and really get after things.”

Samuelson is joined on the team by freshman Gregor Samuelson, his younger brother. The little Samuelson has already picked up wins at the 107 weight class in each of Devils Lake’s first two duals. He also placed fourth in his weight class at the Mandan Lions Tournament.

“Gregor is fun to watch,” Flynn said. “They’re like two same mindsets, but different personalities. Gregor is definitely a bull in a china shop, and he just is going to take you square-on, and he’s going to come at you. And if you knock him down, he’s going to get up and he’s going to keep coming. And that’s what we love about him. He’s been a real spark for us at 107. And it’s going to be fun to see where he ends up.”

The youth runs deep in this program. Freshman Aiden Stiven placed sixth in the 215 weight class at the Mandan Lions Tournament. The Firebirds also have an eighth-grader, Aidyn Church, who Flynn expects to see some varsity time.

“We have a solid freshman class,” Flynn said. “There’s a lot of talent in that freshman class. And then there’s a couple eighth-graders and seventh-graders that I know are looking to make a name for themselves. And so, it’ll be exciting. … There’s some other kids in there, too, that we have in the younger grades that are just stepping up and performing and believing that they can win.”

Devils Lake beat Central Cass 46-16 in its season opener. After six Firebirds placed in the top eight at the Mandan Lions Tournament — including a second-place finish for R. Samuelson — Devils Lake beat West Fargo Horace 52-12 in its second dual.

Besides freshman Bryer Eversvik — another young kid Flynn praised — everyone in the Firebirds’ lineup had prior varsity experience.

“Top to bottom, we’re a tough squad,” Flynn said. “[Eversvik] stepped in; he kind of didn’t know he was going to, and stepped in big for us. And has two varsity wins for us. So it’s really showing what we’re doing and what the kids are capable of. And it’s just really fun to watch. Like, who’s going to be our top gun this week? And it’s just every week, someone else is stepping up and being that guy for us.”

As for the team’s goals, the Firebirds are still trying to win the East Region. It’s something they’ve never done.

Seeing that goal through would set them up nicely for another successful state tournament. Last year, Devils Lake made state team duals in addition to sending a handful of individuals, but the Firebirds were the lowest seed and were eliminated in the first round.

“If we can win the East, then we’ve got a pretty good shot at placing top four,” Flynn said. “So that’s kind of that stepping stone for us. If we can win the East, then that really sets the stage for us to have a really good showing at state. And that’s kind of where it starts. And then, ultimately, qualify for state duals, because that’s the team effort. That’s the team aspect. And we talk all the time about, like, it’s one thing to place as an individual, but it’s another thing to place as a team, because you’re relying on 13 other guys. And it just makes it that much more special.

“So it’s not just the varsity guys. It’s all the JV guys in the practice room that are riding with you, too, to help you get there. And that’s something we can all share. So that’s kind of the goal. The goal is always just to continue to build off what we did last year and just constantly improve. So if we finished eighth last year, we want to finish seventh or sixth. We want to finish higher. So that’s what we’re working for. And this is a fun group, because they work hard.”

Devils Lake competes against Grand Forks Central and Breckenridge/Wahpeton in a triangular in Grand Forks on Thursday.