All Alex Hart could do was lie there.
The Prior Lake sophomore ran into Roseville's undefeated Trae Story in Class 3A's 195-pound quarterfinals and was reminded why this division is so tough.
Hart managed to squeak out a couple of points in a 7-2 defeat. However the strength and riding ability of Story kept him on the ground for most of the final 45 seconds of each period.
"It's a lot different," Hart said about wrestling with three other nationally recognized wrestlers. "I haven't wrestled someone that tough in a couple weeks. It's fun and challenging. I just try to compete with these guys and see what I can do."
Options to face an out-of-the-ordinary opponent are many in this powerful class. Lakeville South's Tommy Petersen and Moorhead's Chase Morlock are former state champions ranked 13th and 20th in the nation, respectively. Story is the only undefeated (41-0) wrestler in the group and was a state runner-up last year.
"Statistically, I guess," it is one of the best classes, Story said after earning himself a spot in the semifinals against Morlock. "But I just focus on my own weight."
This is the mentality he hopes will keep his record perfect and attach a state title next to it.
Milestone for BengtsonCareer win No. 263 took longer than normal for Mitch Bengtson. Other than this abnormality, nothing seemed significant about his 13-5 decision over Albert Lea's Lucas Hansen. Then, about an hour later, the St. Cloud Apollo senior was signing autographs when he learned he had become the second-winningest wrestler in state history.
