ST. PAUL, Minn. (KWAD) — The Staples-Motley returned to the top of the MSHSL Wrestling podium for the first time in 40 years, dominating the Class A State Team Championship with a decisive 33-16 victory over top-seeded and defending state champion Chatfield on Thursday, Feb. 27, at Xcel Energy Center.

The Cardinals’ charge was ignited by eighth-grader Garrett Bjerga, who stunned Class A’s top-ranked 107-pounder, Jameson Priebe, with a 4-3 victory. The upset gave Staples-Motley an early 3-0 lead and marked just Priebe’s third loss of the season. Caden Kramer followed up with a 4-2 win over eighth-ranked Logan Pearson, further solidifying the Cardinals’ momentum.

Freshman Gage Bjerga extended the Cardinals’ lead with a 7-1 victory over third-ranked senior Javier Berg. The momentum continued as eighth-grader Cayden Neisen defeated Chatfield’s fifth-ranked Kaisen Johnson 8-2, giving Staples-Motley a commanding 12-0 advantage.

Eli Greenwaldt delivered bonus points with a dominant 16-1 technical fall over Kaizen Johnson, and Turner Beachy, ranked fifth at 132 pounds, capped off a 3-0 day with a 9-0 major decision against Hunter Polikowsky. Six matches in, the Cardinals led 21-0.

Chatfield attempted to fight back with victories from seventh-ranked Alden Pearson (145 pounds) and top-ranked Carson Rowland (152 pounds), but the Gophers managed just one bonus point, cutting the deficit to 21-7.

One of the most anticipated matchups came at 160 pounds, where Staples-Motley’s Colbe Tappe, the No. 1 seed in the state tournament, took on top-ranked Ayden Miner. Tappe delivered a statement win, taking down Miner 7-2. The victory was followed by a 5-2 decision from Dustin Converse, pushing the Cardinals’ lead to 27-7 and sealing the championship.

The win was the Cardinals first Wrestling championship since 1985, and the program’s eighth overall. The Cardinals won their first seven titles in a span of eight seasons from 1978-85.

Staples-Motley dominated United North Central 55-11 and Jackson County Central 64-0 en route to the title.

The individual tournament was just as busy for the Cardinals, who had nine wrestlers competing for state titles: Garrett Bjerga at 107, Caden Kramer at 114, Gage Bjerga at 121, Cayden Neisen at 127, Turner Beachy at 139, Colbe Tappe at 160, Riley Reese at 152, Adrian Gomez at 215, and Steven Petrich at 285.

Those nine wrestlers secured two state championships, two runner-up finishes, and two third-place spots.

Junior Colbe Tappe completed his remarkable season with a state title at 160 pounds. In a dominant performance, he secured a 16-0 technical fall over Zach Davidson (United North Central) in the semifinals and followed up with a 20-4 technical fall over Ayden Miner (Chatfield) in the finals. Tappe finished the season 43-3, becoming Staples-Motley’s all-time wins leader and a state champion.

At 114 pounds, sophomore Caden Kramer also took home a state title. He edged Logan Pearson (Chatfield) in a sudden victory (6-5) semifinal match, then secured a 3-1 decision over Jamison Meagher (Paynesville) in the finals.

The Bjerga brothers also had standout performances. Garrett Bjerga (107 pounds) and Gage Bjerga (121 pounds) both finished as state runners-up. Garrett advanced with a 5-1 semifinal win over Tyson Meagher (Paynesville) but fell in the finals in a narrow 1-0 decision to Liam Sommer (Kenyon-Wanamingo). Gage secured a 5-2 semifinal win over Javier Berg (Chatfield) before losing to Miklo Hernandez (Pipestone) in a 13-2 major decision in the finals.

At 127 pounds, Cayden Neisen rebounded with three consecutive victories, including a 4-3 decision over Wyatt Pilarski (Holdingford) in the third-place match.

At 139 pounds, Turner Beachy bounced back after a 4-1 semifinal loss to Bo Zwiener (Westfield), winning his next two matches, including a 10-3 decision over Owen Gruchow (West Central) to place third.

Other Area Standouts

• 112 Girls
  • 6th Place – Olivia Browen of LPGE-Browerville Wolves

• 145A
  • 2nd Place – Bailey Peichel of Frazee

   

• 148 Girls
  • 2nd Place – Elora Wagner of Bertha-Hewitt- Verndale -Parkers Prairie
• 172A
  • 5th Place – Mason Bruder of LPGE-Browerville Wolves

   

• 189A
  • 6th Place – Riley Livingston of United North Central Warriors

   

• 285A
  • 3rd Place – Kevin Dailey of United North Central Warriors
  • 6th Place – Braden Shamp of Bertha-Hewitt- Verndale -Parkers Prairie

   

• 114AA
  • 6th Place – Gage Weber of Detroit Lakes

   

• 172AA
  • 2nd Place – Tiegan Detloff of Perham

   

• 189AA
  •  6th Place – Ryan Francis of Detroit Lakes