Sports

Minnesota state wrestling photo gallery

March 3, 2019 at 4:15AM

The Minnesota State High School League Class 3A, 2A and 1A wrestling state meet individual championships were held Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Minn. ] Shari L. Gross • shari.gross@startribune.com The Class 3A, 2A and 1A wrestling state meet individual championships were held Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Minn. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Thousands of eyes watched as six pairs of combatants, in any given moment, dueled eye to eye, toe to toe and head to head on mats on the Xcel Energy Center floor, hoping to have their arm raised as a victor at the state wrestling individual championships. Being the best, even for a few years running, could be moot on this day, when sheer will could overcome skill and flip an opponent — along with any title-match script.

It was more of a dance than a duel in the early seconds as Bryce FitzPatrick of Mahtomedi, left, sized up Carter Entinger of Watertown-Mayer Lutheran in their Class 2A match at 138 pounds. The Class 3A, 2A and 1A wrestling state meet individual championships were held Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Minn. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Calvin Menke of Scott West gritted his teeth as he battled for leverage against fellow heavyweight Logan Wingert of Plainview-Elgin-Millville on Friday. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Jake FitzPatrick of Mahtomedi, above, took a foot to the face on the way to beating Matthew Harfmann of Kasson-Mantorville in the 132 quarterfinals. Simley heavyweight Daniel Kerkvliet left, had an easier time, winning by pin in 29 seconds. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Daniel Kerkvliet, of Simley, wrestled Chisago Lakes, LindstromÕs Zach Carlson in a Class 2A 285lb quarterfinal match Friday. Kerkvliet won with a pin at :29. ] Aaron Lavinsky ¥ aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com The Class 3A, 2A and 1A wrestling state meet quarterfinals were held Friday, March 1, 2019 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Minn. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Ruben Saldivar of Simley gave no wiggle room to Hsa Law Eh of Marshall as the referee prepared to signal a pin in their match at 126 pounds. 126 class. CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@startribune.com – St. Paul, MN – February 28, 2019, Xcel Energy Center, Minnesota High School / Prep wrestling team championships (The Minnesota Star Tribune)