Chilton, Weber, and Francis Compete Strongly in State Wrestling Quarterfinals

The quarterfinals of the state wrestling tournament at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul on February 27, 2024, proved to be a challenging day for three wrestlers from Detroit Lakes. Anthony Chilton (107), Gage Weber (121), and Ryan Francis (215) faced tough opponents and ultimately lost their matches. However, they showed resilience in the wrestleback bracket, demonstrating their determination to continue competing.

Chilton faced a formidable opponent in Rocori’s Trae Kraemer, who won by a major decision with a score of 12-2. Despite this setback, Chilton rebounded in the wrestleback round, defeating Easton Strangl-McCann from Pierz with a close decision of 6-3. Detroit Lakes assistant coach Casey Berntsen expressed pride in Chilton’s performance, stating, “He ran into one of the best wrestlers in that weight class and he gave it his all.”

Weber’s quarterfinal match against Kaden Lindquist from Kasson-Mantorville ended in a technical fall, with a score of 17-2. Despite the loss, Weber entered the wrestleback rounds and achieved an impressive victory over Sam Weyandt from Minneapolis-Roosevelt, winning by a technical fall of 17-1. Berntsen acknowledged Weber’s effort, saying, “He did his part getting into the right positions and did the best he could.”

Ryan Francis faced a tough challenge against Joe Kruse from Totino-Grace. The match was a defensive struggle, with both wrestlers remaining scoreless in the first period. Kruse managed to escape at the end of the second period and later secured three points, leading to Francis’s defeat by a narrow decision of 4-2. Francis then advanced to the wrestlebacks, where he earned a major decision victory over Enriquel Reyes from South St. Paul, winning 9-0. Berntsen praised Francis for his dedication, noting, “He wrestled his heart out and I know he’s frustrated that he didn’t win, but he did a really good job.”

As the tournament progresses, the determination and skill displayed by Chilton, Weber, and Francis highlight their commitment to the sport and their respective teams. The wrestlebacks provide them with another opportunity to showcase their talents and continue their journeys in the competition.