The Mound Westonka White Hawks wrestling team competed in the Section 2AA individual wrestling championships at Orono High School on Feb. 23 and 24. The White Hawks had six section placewinners and advanced three to state, as junior Cole Munsterteiger, senior Jack Nelson and sophomore Cooper Rowe all won section championships.

“It is a tough section, so to place six and be sending three to state is quite an accomplishment,” said head coach Todd Munsterteiger. 

Cole Munsterteiger earned 13-2 and 12–2 major decisions to set up a finals match with Kaleb Mead of Watertown-Mayer.  Munsterteiger persevered with a 6-5 overtime decision to punch his ticket to state. Nelson had an 18-2 technical fall and a 11-1 major decision en route to his finals match, where he earned a 15-0 technical fall over Parker Jackson of Watertown-Mayer.  Rowe had two first-period pins and followed that up with a 15-0 technical fall over Jack Enitinger of Watertown-Mayer to earn the championship.

Junior John Seemann finished fourth, eighth grader Brady Kirkpatrick finished fifth and freshman Deacon Ramthun finished in sixth place, while freshman Levi Hays and senior Rafiqullah Tauhid went 2-2, just missing a spot on the podium. 

“We had a great section tournament overall and have a lot coming back next season, which is very exciting,” said assistant coach Eric Rodelius.

The state entrants will compete on Friday, March 1 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. First-round action will begin at approximately 10 a.m. Sophomore Delaney Parker, who qualified previously, will be wrestling in the girls portion on Saturday, March 2. Information on tickets, live streaming and more can be found on the Minnesota State High School League website.