The Mound Westonka White Hawks wrestling team had four wrestlers competing at the Minnesota State High School League state championships March 4 and 5 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, and came home with four medals and an overall 4th place finish in the individual Class AA standings. 

“We had an outstanding state tournament and had the best finish since 1956," said head coach Todd Munsterteiger. "I couldn’t have been more proud of the way we competed."

MWHS ninth grader Cooper Rowe cruised to the semifinals with a 16-0 technical fall and first-period pin, but then lost a tough 7-4 decision in the semifinals. Rowe lost in the consolation semifinals by a 3-2 decision, and then earned a first-period pin for a fifth-place finish.

Sophomore Cole Munsterteiger grinded out a 2-0 first-round win, followed by a 4-2 quarterfinal victory, before losing to the eventual state champion in the semifinals. Munsterteiger lost in the  consolation semifinals by a 10-5 decision and then bounced back with a 7-4 win to earn fifth place, his first time placing at state. 

Senior Sam Dioszeghy pinned his two opponents and then had a rematch with Carter Geerts of Byron, who had defeated Dioszeghy earlier in the season. This time Dioszeghy came out on top with a 7-3 decision, vaulting him to the finals. Dioszeghy lost that bout, finishing as a state runner-up.

Junior Jack Nelson defeated his first-round opponent with an 18-8 major decision and earned a workman-like 21-7 major decision in the quarterfinals. Nelson again was dominant, with a 9-1 major decision in the semifinals. 

Nelson continued his dominance in the finals, pinning Kaden Nicholas of Becker in the second period for his third consecutive state championship. Nelson is now tied with 1960 graduate Gary Erdman for the most state titles in Mound Westonka history.

The White Hawks wrestling squad will celebrate an incredible season with their annual banquet on Tuesday, March 14, at the Mound American Legion.