The recent Orono Invitational showcased the impressive talents of the Bemidji High School wrestling team, with five of its six participating wrestlers clinching victories in their individual brackets. The event took place on Saturday, and the Lumberjacks finished third overall, accumulating a total of 343.5 points, trailing only New Prague and Maple Grove.
Ozzie Hanks was a standout performer in the 107-pound category, finishing the tournament with a perfect 4-0 record. Following closely, Owen Bieber also maintained an unbeaten streak, winning all three of his matches at 114 pounds. The success continued for the Lumberjacks as Gabe Morin and Nick Strand delivered strong performances at 133 and 139 pounds, respectively. Morin secured his spot with a 3-0 record, including two wins by technical fall, while Strand also went 4-0, achieving two pins and a victory by technical fall.
Nehemiah Schwinghammer rounded out the first-place finishers for Bemidji at the 285-pound level, also finishing with a flawless 3-0 record. Jeremy Linn was the lone wrestler from Bemidji who placed but did not secure a championship, finishing fourth in the competitive 152-pound category.
The team results showcased the depth of competition, with New Prague taking the top spot with 515 points, followed by Maple Grove with 357 points. The full rankings for the top ten teams included:
1. New Prague – 515
2. Maple Grove – 357
3. Bemidji – 343.5
4. Woodbury – 314
5. Minneapolis-Washburn – 257.5
6. Foley – 256
7. Lakeville North – 250
8. Orono – 236
9. Eagan – 195
10. Blaine – 168.5
The strong showing by the Bemidji wrestlers not only highlights individual talent but also underscores the collective strength of the team as they prepare for future competitions. With multiple athletes performing at high levels, the Lumberjacks are positioned well for the remainder of the wrestling season.
