A state champ again, Princeton wrestler Tyler Wells is driven to make first loss his only one

The junior is 125-1 in his high school career after going 47-0 this season and winning the Class 2A 132-pound class.

March 7, 2022 at 10:40PM
Tyler Wells of Princeton
Princeton’s Tyler Wells ran his high school record to 125-1 in winning the 132-pound division in Class 2A wrestling. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

TYLER WELLS

Princeton • wrestling

Wells set a lofty goal when he started his high school career as a Tigers freshman. It was to exit without losing a match.

That possibility went by the wayside last season. So he's working on the next-best thing: losing only once in high school.

The junior garnered his third consecutive individual wrestling state championship, winning the Class 2A 132-pound division. It marked his second unblemished season of 47-0 and ran his career record to 125-1.

"Just when you think he is at the top of his game he elevates it to another level," Princeton coach Brian Hellman said. "This is a testament to his attitude of being the most dominating wrestler out there."

That one loss, a two-point setback to Caleb Thoennes of St. Michael-Albertville, keeps Wells focused.

"That match still makes me mad," Wells said. "I thought I was going to win. I didn't prepare for that match the right way.

"I hate losing. I have to keep improving and drive myself to get better every day."

TAYLOR WOODSON

Hopkins • basketball

The junior forward is part of Hopkins' talented, balanced offensive attack. She has four consecutive 20-point outings and has raised her scoring average to 15.2 points per game for the Class 4A, No. 1-ranked Royals (22-1). She is in the top 10 in career scoring and rebounding at the school.

JORE VOLK

Lakeville North • wrestling

Volk wrapped up his prep career very fittingly, with a third individual wrestling state championship. The senior beat Anoka junior Eli Paulson 5-3 in the Class 3A 132-pound finals after winning his first three matches by technical fall. He is headed to the University of Wyoming.

OLIVIA OLSON

Benilde-St. Margaret's • basketball

Olson continues to elevate her game. The sophomore guard has scored at least 20 points — with three 30-point performances — in 12 of her past 13 games and has the Red Knights (22-6) one win away from advancing to the Class 3A state tournament.

CHARLIE CROSBY

Breck/Blake • swimming

Crosby concluded a stellar career in spectacular fashion. The senior set two state records regardless of class in the 50-yard freestyle in 19.57 seconds and 100 backstroke in 46.41. He also swam the opening leg on Breck/Blake's Class 1A record-setting 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay teams.

CHARLI RAYMOND

Simley • wrestling

The seventh-grader became the first girl to win a match and capped it off by winning the first girls' state championship at 100 pounds in the inaugural Minnesota State High School League-sanctioned girls' wrestling state tournament.

LOGAN KINSEY

Spring Lake Park • basketball

Kinsey turned in the best performance of his career in an 83-65 victory over Champlin Park in a Northwest Suburban Conference matchup. The senior forward scored a career-high 33 points on 15-for-22 shooting, pulled down 18 rebounds and dished out six assists.

Nominate an athlete: Send an e-mail with information to preps@startribune.com. Include a photo and a link, if available, to video.

Tyler Wells of Princeton
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Taylor Woodson of Hopkins
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Jore Volk of Lakeville North
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Olivia Olson of Benilde-St. Margaret's
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Charlie Crosby of Breck/Blake
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Charli Raymond of Simley
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Logan Kinsey of Spring Lake Park
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

Ron Haggstrom

Prep Sports Reporter

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