Mound Westonka had four wrestlers compete at the Minnesota State High School League state championships March 1 and 2 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The team came home with three medals and an overall ninth-place finish in the individual Class AA standings. 

“We had an outstanding state tournament and another Top-10 finish," said head coach Todd Munsterteiger.  "I couldn’t have been more proud of the way we competed."

Junior Cole Munsterteiger ground out a 5-2 first-round win, followed by a 7-2 quarterfinal victory, before losing to the eventual state champion in the semifinals. Munsterteiger lost in the  consolation semifinals by a 5-3 decision and then fell 8-4, finishing in sixth place, his second time placing at state. 

Senior Jack Nelson defeated his first-round opponent by an 11-4 decision, then dominated in the quarterfinals with a 15-0 technical fall. Nelson earned a tough 5-0 victory in the semifinals before losing by a 5-4 decision in the finals, finishing a state runner-up. 

Nelson ended his high school wrestling career as a five-time state entrant, four-time state finalist and three-time state champion. His 196 career victories put him second all-time in Mound Westonka history. 

“Jack had an outstanding career and will go down as one of our top wrestlers in program history," said assistant coach Eric Rodelius. "I cannot express in words what he has meant to our program."

Sophomore Cooper Rowe pinned his first two opponents and then pounded out a 3-1 decision in the semifinals. Rowe’s championship match was one for ages, as he held on in the last seconds for a 4-3, three overtime, ultimate tiebreaker decision to earn his first state title. Rowe is now a three-time state placewinner. 

“Cooper is very talented, and the sky's the limit on what he can accomplish," said assistant coach Sam Bennyhoff. "He really put on a show in what was the best finals match of the evening."

Sophomore Delaney Parker competed in her first girls state tourney, losing her first-round match by fall and second-round match 11-2. Parker was the first Mound Westonka wrestler to qualify for the girls state wrestling tournament. “Delaney battled well and got a great experience in her first time at state," said assistant coach Eric Hensel. "This will undoubtedly motivate her to get back and do some damage next year."

The White Hawks wrestling squad will celebrate an incredible season with their annual banquet on Tuesday, March 12 at the Mound American Legion.