by Scott DCamp
Sports Editor
The Thief River Falls girls wrestling team continues to make history during the 2023-24 season. Thursday night, the Thief River Falls girls wrestling team competed in its first-ever dual meet, losing 66-12 to second-ranked Bemidji.
The Prowlers and Lumberjacks are at different points in their respective wrestling journies. The Lumberjacks were one of the first girls programs in the state to field a full roster when the Minnesota State High School League added girls wrestling prior to the 2021-22 season. Many of the wrestlers competing for the Lumberjacks’ girls varsity squad have been competing in the sport for three seasons.
Thief River Falls did not compete in girls wrestling during the inaugural season of 2021-22. Last year, the Prowlers had four varsity wrestlers. This year, they have 14, which is more than enough to compete in the program’s first-ever dual meet.
The meet went how most would expect it to. The Lumberjacks showed their experience by winning 11 of the 13 matches.
The Prowlers got wins from Bethany Larson, who won by fall over Natasha Severson at 142 pounds and Brianna Berg, who won by injury default over Makaya Gotchie at 170 pounds.
“This was the very first dual meet in Prowler girls wrestling history,” said Head Coach Dale Rystad. “Bemidji came into the dual ranked number two in the state, so we knew we had our work cut out for us. Bethany Larson pinned her opponent and Brianna Berg was winning her match before her opponent injury defaulted which gave us the win.
“Other notable matches included Maddie Poissant and Natalia Zoller, who both took on ranked girls at their respective weights. Although they didn’t get the win, they were excited for the opportunity.”
Bemidji 66,
Thief River Falls 12
100: Jillian Gunderson (BEMI) over (TRF) (For.); 107: Taylor Merschman (BEMI) over Ellie Nelson (TRF) (Fall 0:53); 114: Kiera Hagman-Nyagaka (BEMI) over Gabrielle Zoller (TRF) (Fall 0:45); 121: Brenalen Fredriksen-Holm (BEMI) over Molly Ferguson (TRF) (Fall 0:49); 124: Brooklyn Nielsen (BEMI) over Alora Green (TRF) (Fall 3:42); 130: Amber Kremper (BEMI) over Kayla Peterson (TRF) (Fall 5:19); 136: Tori Bahr (BEMI) over Maddie Poissant (TRF) (Fall 1:16); 142: Bethany Larson (TRF) over Natasha Severson (BEMI) (Fall 0:54); 148: Kylie Donat (BEMI) over Natalia Zoller (TRF) (Fall 1:57); 155: Chloe Knott (BEMI) over Carlie Casavan (TRF) (Fall 0:50); 170: Brianna Berg (TRF) over Makaya Gotchie (BEMI) (Fall 2:00); 190: Leah Willard (BEMI) over Samantha Zoller (TRF) (Fall 0:57); 235: Maya Schmidt (BEMI) over (TRF) (For.).