Everyone knows the heartbreak, the adversity and the character shown by St. Michael-Albertville wrestler Mitch McKee on a daily basis.
However, what might get lost is what a complete athlete the junior is on the mats.
It took all of 19 seconds for McKee to etch his name among STMA High School’s best, earning his 199th win against St. Francis last Friday night as the Knights rolled to a 48-17 drubbing over St. Francis and clamped down on another regular season Mississippi 8 Conference championship. He racked up his 200th the next day, in Eden Prairie, at the tournament, and kept on winning until he took the title at 132 pounds.
As for St. Francis and STMA – the teams will, no doubt, meat again at the conference championship dual, set for Friday night at St. Michael-Albertville High. However, last Friday’s takedown gives STMA regular season bragging rights.
STMA was in a hole early, trailing 11-8 after a decision and technical fall went St. Francis’ way at 120 and 126. But McKee stepped in a 132 and took down Andrew Wasche in 19 seconds, giving STMA a 14-11 lead they would never relinquish.
Here’s a rundown of the matches:
St. Michael-Albertville 48 St. Francis 17
106 McKee, Patrick (STMA) def. Pertucci, Coleton (SF) === {Tech Fall 22-5} (Score: 5-0)
113 Nygaard, Zach (STMA) def. Wilson, Mitchell (SF) === {Dec 8 – 3} (Score: 8-0)
120 Worthington, Daniel (SF) def. Schoen, Zac (STMA) === {Tech Fall 20-5} (Score: 8-5)
126 Hall, Mason (SF) def. Dehmer, Zach (STMA) === {Fall 3:58} (Score: 8-11)
132 McKee, Mitchell (STMA) def. Wasche, Andrew (SF) === {Fall 0:19} (Score: 14-11)
138 Allar, Jake (STMA) def. Wilson, Aaron (SF) === {Dec 10 – 3} (Score: 17-11)
145 Wilson, Alex (STMA) def. Leuer, Donnie (SF) === {Dec 7 – 2} (Score: 17-14)
152 Struntz, Tony (SF) def. Ailts, Garrett (STMA) === {Dec 15 – 8} (Score: 17-17)
160 Zachman, Mitchell (STMA) def. Dahlstrom, Tyler (SF) === {Fall 0:56} (Score: 23-17)
170 Ronsen, Evan (STMA) def. Kirpach, Cole (SF) === {Maj Dec 10-1} (Score: 27-17)
182 Joseph, Jordan (STMA) def. Wetenkamp, Tim (SF) === {Tech Fall 18-3} (Score: 32-17)
195 Foster, Evan (STMA) def. Damman, Seth (SF) === {Maj Dec 10-2} (Score: 36-17)
220 Briggs, Jake (STMA) def. Kauppi, Nick (SF) === {Fall 1:22} (Score: 42-17)
285 Anderson, Randy (SF) def. Blanske, Bo (STMA) === {Fall 2:51} (Score: 48-17)
The Knights marched on to Eden Prairie on Saturday and took home top honors with 245 points. More importantly, the Knights proved they were better than their top Section 7 opponent at the meet – Anoka – by taking first place in nine weight classes and second in a pair of others.
Pat McKee (106), Zach Nygaard (113), Mitch McKee (132), Jake Allar (138), Donnie Leuer (145), Evan Ronsen (170), Jordan Joseph (182), Evan Foster (195), and Randy Anderson (285) all took the top spot on the podium, while Jake Briggs (220) and Mike Zachman (160) both took second overall at the tournament. Allar was named the EP Invite Most Valuable Wrestler.
It’s a huge home weekend for the Knights, as they’ll host the conference duals on Friday, and then a dual with Simley Saturday at the STMA High gym. Action Friday night begins at 6 p.m., with the Simley dual to take the mats at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Then, the “kids” take over on Sunday for The Brawl, which starts at 10 a.m. Sunday and runs through 5 p.m.
Here are the Eden Prairie Tourney full results:
106 Results
1st Place – Patrick McKee of Saint Michael Albertville
2nd Place – Mason Phillips of Eau Claire North
3rd Place – Holden Youngs of Annandale-Maple Lake
4th Place – Aaron Timm of Eden Prairie
5th Place – Peyton McLagan of Apple Valley
6th Place – Josh Maack of Somerset
1st: Patrick McKee (Saint Michael Albertville) 21-6, Fr. over Mason Phillips (Eau Claire North) 24-2, Fr. (Dec 7-0).
3rd: Holden Youngs (Annandale-Maple Lake) 20-6, Jr. over Aaron Timm (Eden Prairie) 20-4, 8th. (Fall 5:07).
5th: Peyton McLagan (Apple Valley) 2-2, Fr. over Josh Maack (Somerset) 13-11, So. (Dec 6-2).
113 Results
1st Place – Zach Nygaard of Saint Michael Albertville
2nd Place – Quinn Youngs of Annandale-Maple Lake
3rd Place – Brady Gross of Apple Valley
4th Place – Dylan Wachter of New Richmond
5th Place – Sam Woods of Somerset
6th Place – Efrain Sueldo of Eau Claire North
1st: Zach Nygaard (Saint Michael Albertville) 17-8, Jr. over Quinn Youngs (Annandale-Maple Lake) 19-3, Fr. (Dec 6-0).
3rd: Brady Gross (Apple Valley) 3-1, 8th. over Dylan Wachter (New Richmond) 13-12, Fr. (TF-1.5 0:00 (16-1)).
5th: Sam Woods (Somerset) 8-10, So. over Efrain Sueldo (Eau Claire North) 0-3, So. (Dec 9-4).
120 Results
1st Place – J.J. Veytia of Eden Prairie
2nd Place – Cullen Gallagher of Annandale-Maple Lake
3rd Place – Tyler Deacon of Eau Claire North
4th Place – Zac Schoen of Saint Michael Albertville
5th Place – Steven Moncada of Somerset
1st: J.J. Veytia (Eden Prairie) 22-1, Jr. over Cullen Gallagher (Annandale-Maple Lake) 16-5, Sr. (2-OT 3-2).
3rd: Tyler Deacon (Eau Claire North) 18-8, Sr. over Zac Schoen (Saint Michael Albertville) 5-9, Jr. (MD 9-0).
5th: Steven Moncada (Somerset) 10-8, Fr. over () , . (Bye).
126 Results
1st Place – Calvin Germinaro- Nahring of Anoka
2nd Place – Bryce Younger of New Richmond
3rd Place – Nate Carlson of Annandale-Maple Lake
4th Place – Zach Dehmer of Saint Michael Albertville
5th Place – Chris Timm of Eden Prairie
6th Place – Tyler Mallett of Eau Claire North
1st: Calvin Germinaro- Nahring (Anoka) 21-4, So. over Bryce Younger (New Richmond) 26-2, So. (Dec 9-3).
3rd: Nate Carlson (Annandale-Maple Lake) 16-5, So. over Zach Dehmer (Saint Michael Albertville) 16-11, So. (Dec 4-1).
5th: Chris Timm (Eden Prairie) 18-4, Sr. over Tyler Mallett (Eau Claire North) 13-13, Jr. (Dec 5-2).
132 Results
1st Place – Mitchell McKee of Saint Michael Albertville
2nd Place – Zack Fritz of Anoka
3rd Place – Cody Schoen of Saint Michael Albertville
4th Place – Seth Leavens of New Richmond
5th Place – Walker Weege of Annandale-Maple Lake
6th Place – Josh Schneider of Eau Claire North
1st: Mitchell McKee (Saint Michael Albertville) 24-2, Jr. over Zack Fritz (Anoka) 3-3, So. (Fall 1:44).
3rd: Cody Schoen (Saint Michael Albertville) 16-9, So. over Seth Leavens (New Richmond) 18-6, Jr. (Fall 1:30).
5th: Walker Weege (Annandale-Maple Lake) 4-8, Fr. over Josh Schneider (Eau Claire North) 11-13, So. (Dec 10-4).
138 Results
1st Place – Jake Allar of Saint Michael Albertville
2nd Place – Ben Brancale of Eden Prairie
3rd Place – Walker Rask of Annandale-Maple Lake
4th Place – Justin Peterson of Eau Claire North
5th Place – Freddie Mangine of Somerset
6th Place – Liam Strong of Anoka
1st: Jake Allar (Saint Michael Albertville) 21-0, So. over Ben Brancale (Eden Prairie) 22-1, Sr. (Dec 3-2).
3rd: Walker Rask (Annandale-Maple Lake) 4-5, Sr. over Justin Peterson (Eau Claire North) 20-5, Jr. (Dec 6-4).
5th: Freddie Mangine (Somerset) 9-7, Sr. over Liam Strong (Anoka) 15-9, Sr. (M. For.).
145 Results
1st Place – Donnie Leuer of Saint Michael Albertville
2nd Place – Hunter Hicks of Annandale-Maple Lake
3rd Place – Austin Anderson of New Richmond
4th Place – Nick Schneider of Eden Prairie
5th Place – Hunter Deleon of Anoka
6th Place – Dylan Harrison of Eau Claire North
1st: Donnie Leuer (Saint Michael Albertville) 16-6, Jr. over Hunter Hicks (Annandale-Maple Lake) 11-11, Sr. (MD 10-2).
3rd: Austin Anderson (New Richmond) 25-4, Sr. over Nick Schneider (Eden Prairie) 9-3, Sr. (Dec 8-2).
5th: Hunter Deleon (Anoka) 13-11, Jr. over Dylan Harrison (Eau Claire North) 11-14, Sr. (MD 9-0).
152 Results
1st Place – Derek Dowd of New Richmond
2nd Place – Preston Flaherty of Anoka
3rd Place – Ben Matsui of Eden Prairie
4th Place – Garrett Ailts of Saint Michael Albertville
5th Place – Derek Tomberlin of Annandale-Maple Lake
6th Place – Preston Kern of Somerset
1st: Derek Dowd (New Richmond) 27-1, Sr. over Preston Flaherty (Anoka) 9-3, Sr. (Fall 3:33).
3rd: Ben Matsui (Eden Prairie) 19-6, Jr. over Garrett Ailts (Saint Michael Albertville) 10-16, Jr. (Fall 1:37).
5th: Derek Tomberlin (Annandale-Maple Lake) 10-11, So. over Preston Kern (Somerset) 1-4, Fr. (Fall 0:21).
160 Results
1st Place – Matt Njos of Anoka
2nd Place – Mitchell Zachman of Saint Michael Albertville
3rd Place – Trae Bedford of Annandale-Maple Lake
4th Place – Logan Peterson of Somerset
5th Place – Cole Vlasak of Eden Prairie
6th Place – Dawson Eilts of Eau Claire North
1st: Matt Njos (Anoka) 23-3, Sr. over Mitchell Zachman (Saint Michael Albertville) 19-8, Sr. (M. For.).
3rd: Trae Bedford (Annandale-Maple Lake) 11-9, So. over Logan Peterson (Somerset) 16-6, Jr. (Dec 9-2).
5th: Cole Vlasak (Eden Prairie) 8-6, Sr. over Dawson Eilts (Eau Claire North) 8-16, So. (MD 9-0).
170 Results
1st Place – Evan Ronsen of Saint Michael Albertville
2nd Place – Tevin Hall of Eden Prairie
3rd Place – John Keifer of New Richmond
4th Place – Dalton Miller of Anoka
5th Place – Alton Meyer of Eau Claire North
1st: Evan Ronsen (Saint Michael Albertville) 23-4, Jr. over Tevin Hall (Eden Prairie) 16-2, Jr. (Fall 1:03).
3rd: John Keifer (New Richmond) 24-6, Jr. over Dalton Miller (Anoka) 4-6, So. (Dec 10-3).
5th: Alton Meyer (Eau Claire North) 6-13, Sr. over () , . (Bye).
182 Results
1st Place – Jordan Joseph of Saint Michael Albertville
2nd Place – Hunter Dahbly of Eau Claire North
3rd Place – Simeon Tschumper of Eden Prairie
4th Place – Joe Driscoll of Annandale-Maple Lake
5th Place – Alec Birk of Saint Michael Albertville
6th Place – Alex Schmidt of New Richmond
1st: Jordan Joseph (Saint Michael Albertville) 25-1, Sr. over Hunter Dahbly (Eau Claire North) 21-4, Sr. (MD 12-2).
3rd: Simeon Tschumper (Eden Prairie) 15-6, Sr. over Joe Driscoll (Annandale-Maple Lake) 11-12, So. (Dec 7-2).
5th: Alec Birk (Saint Michael Albertville) 4-3, Sr. over Alex Schmidt (New Richmond) 17-9, So. (MD 14-4).
195 Results
1st Place – Evan Foster of Saint Michael Albertville
2nd Place – Noah Vaillant of Anoka
3rd Place – Randy Zais of Eau Claire North
4th Place – Ben Westerberg of Eden Prairie
5th Place – Keagan Yudes of Eau Claire North
6th Place – Kevin Kern of New Richmond
1st: Evan Foster (Saint Michael Albertville) 13-3, So. over Noah Vaillant (Anoka) 19-7, Sr. (Dec 7-3).
3rd: Randy Zais (Eau Claire North) 11-8, Sr. over Ben Westerberg (Eden Prairie) 10-8, So. (Fall 1:17).
5th: Keagan Yudes (Eau Claire North) 1-2, Jr. over Kevin Kern (New Richmond) 13-12, Sr. (M. For.).
220 Results
1st Place – Jeremy Rodman of Anoka
2nd Place – Jake Briggs of Saint Michael Albertville
3rd Place – Josh Reinke of Eden Prairie
4th Place – Sam Rhinehart of Eau Claire North
5th Place – Caleb Peterson of Saint Michael Albertville
6th Place – Maalik Moe of New Richmond
1st: Jeremy Rodman (Anoka) 17-2, Jr. over Jake Briggs (Saint Michael Albertville) 20-2, Sr. (Dec 6-1).
3rd: Josh Reinke (Eden Prairie) 20-3, Jr. over Sam Rhinehart (Eau Claire North) 15-11, Sr. (Fall 0:59).
5th: Caleb Peterson (Saint Michael Albertville) 1-2, Sr. over Maalik Moe (New Richmond) 2-6, Sr. (Fall 2:34).
285 Results
1st Place – Randy Anderson of Saint Michael Albertville
2nd Place – Jack Carruth of Eau Claire North
3rd Place – Jesse Heifort of Anoka
4th Place – Josh Gindele of Annandale-Maple Lake
5th Place – Gage Manske of New Richmond
6th Place – Mohammed ElHassan of Eden Prairie
1st: Randy Anderson (Saint Michael Albertville) 15-8, Sr. over Jack Carruth (Eau Claire North) 14-11, So. (Dec 8-2).
3rd: Jesse Heifort (Anoka) 14-10, Jr. over Josh Gindele (Annandale-Maple Lake) 9-12, Sr. (Fall 3:30).
5th: Gage Manske (New Richmond) 17-7, Sr. over Mohammed ElHassan (Eden Prairie) 9-11, Jr. (Fall 3:08).