The Bemidji High School wrestling team showcased an impressive performance at the Orono Invitational, held on March 2, 2024. Five of the six Lumberjack wrestlers who competed in their individual brackets emerged victorious, contributing to the team’s third-place overall finish with a total of 343.5 points. They trailed only behind New Prague, which scored 515 points, and Maple Grove, with 357 points.
In the 107-pound weight class, Ozzie Hanks dominated the competition, finishing with a perfect record of 4-0. Following closely was Owen Bieber, who also remained unbeaten at 114 pounds, securing three victories. Regular contributors to the BHS team, Gabe Morin and Nick Strand, excelled in the 133 and 139-pound categories, respectively. Morin, competing at 133 pounds, went 3-0 with a bye, achieving two wins by technical fall along the way. Strand achieved a flawless 4-0 record, which included two pins and a technical fall victory.
The success continued with Nehemiah Schwinghammer rounding out the first-place finishers for Bemidji at 285 pounds, where he also finished undefeated with a record of 3-0. The only other wrestler from Bemidji to place was Jeremy Linn, who secured fourth place in the 152-pound category.
The team competition at the Orono Invitational saw a strong field, with the top ten results as follows: New Prague led the way with 515 points, followed by Maple Grove with 357 points, and Bemidji with their 343.5 points. Other notable teams included Woodbury, Minneapolis-Washburn, and Foley, rounding out the competitive landscape.
This strong showing not only highlights the individual talents of the Bemidji wrestlers but also the depth of the team as they prepare for upcoming competitions. The performance at the Orono Invitational is a positive indicator of what the Lumberjacks can achieve in the remainder of the season.
