Wrestling: Willmar boys sending 4 to state semifinals

Feb. 27—ST. PAUL — Four Willmar boys wrestlers are one step closer to reaching a state championship match after the morning session of Day 2 of the state individual wrestling tournament Friday at Grand Casino Arena.

The four Cardinals — Landen Kassel, Caiden Kassel, Cavin Carlson and Lawson Anez — won their quarterfinal matches. A total of 10 West Central Tribune area wrestlers won in the quarterfinals.

Semifinals take place on Friday afternoon at Grand Casino Arena.

Landen Kassel advanced in the 107AAA bracket with a 10-4 decision against Shakopee's Patrick Heim. Landen takes on St. Michael-Albertville's Jackson Thorn in the semis.

Caiden is a 127AAA semifinalist after a 7-1 decision over Mounds View's Owen LaRose. He'll face Stillwater's Noah Nicholson in the next round.

Carlson won his 160AAA quarterfinal match over Forest Lake's Dayton Dale by 15-0 tech fall in the second period. Next for Carlson is Shakopee's Jackson Barron.

Anez reached the final four with a 13-4 major decision over Lakeville North's Tyler Ruff in the 215AAA bracket. Next is Shakopee's Joseph Heim.

Dawson-Boyd/Lac qui Parle Valley/Montevideo United has two semifinalists in Class AA.

Eli Olson advanced in the 114AA bracket with a 6-4 decision against Rock Ridge's Gabe Benz. Olson takes on Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted's Clayton Birkholz in the semis.

At 145AA, United's Ben Gunlogson won in the quarters by 10-2 major decision against St. Peter's Broth Guth. Gunlogson faces Becker's Levi Thompson in the semis.

Minnewaska's Miles Wildman made the semis at 133AA with a 7-6 overtime win against Watertown-Mayer's Sully Marx. Wildman faces off with Totino-Grace's Jackson Refsnider in the next round.

Three Class A area wrestlers are in the final four.

Paynesville's Tyson Meagher won his 107A quarterfinals match against Minneota's Heydan Danielson by 15-0 tech fall. Meagher squares off with Chatfield's Joey Cady in the semis.

At 114A, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa's Noah Jensen pinned Goodhue's Arlyn von Knobelsdorf in 2 minutes, 34 seconds. Up next for Jensen is Pelican Rapids' Danny Salazar.

Three-time state champion Trey Gunderson of Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg is in the semis after a 19-4 tech fall against Frazee's Cash Osterman. Up next for Gunderson is Jackson County Central's Kyler Thier.

For full results from Day 2 of the state individual wrestling tournament, check WCTrib.com tonight.