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

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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