STAMPEDING INTO OPENER ­— Members of the Martin County Red Bulls wrestling team opening the season at the Maher Invitational on Saturday in Blue Earth include, front row (left to right): Manager Avery Geiger, manager Kaytlin Faber, Ryan Szafryk, Bladen Ricard, Billy Arnold, Brandon Martinson, Brock Jagodzinske, Adam Denson, Andre Ashing and Cooper Kolander. Second row: Ethan Siebring, Berent Kosbab, Brock Stauffer, Maddex Faber, Pierce Rohman, Torrey Paplow, Austin Boucher, Kate Kolbe and manager Isabella Fitzgerald. Third row: Seth Siebring, Caleb Chambers, Evan Welcome, Ty Kolbe, Eli Owens, Luis Martin, Maison Ingvoldstad, Angel Baragas, Andrew Haugen, Aaron Barton and Aaron Becker. Back row: Benet Mathiason, Dakota Madias, Hunter Johnson, D.J. Miller, Colby Schwichtenberg, Hank Olson, Kollin Brennan, Mathew Martin, Andres Rodas and Ivan Martin. Not pictured: Taylor Austin. (Photo by Greg Abel)

FAIRMONT — Prep wrestlers are accustomed to cutting a pound or two to make their weight class, but the Minnesota State High School League cut an entire weight class during the offseason.

“It’s a big change to go from 14 to 13 weight classes this season, but it’s a good and much needed change,” said Martin County Red Bulls head coach Adam Williamson, whose 2022 lineup lost a Class AA state team quarterfinal meet 31-30 to Watertown-Mayer via the MSHSL’s seventh tiebreaking criteria of technical falls. “With an odd number of matches, breaking tie scores for duals is straight-forward — win at least seven matches and you win the team decision.”

Freshman Pierce Rohman, freshman Maddex Faber, junior Berent Kosbab and senior Taylor Austin all return to the canvas after compiling winning records for the Red Bulls last winter.

While Martin County’s roster has grown since last season, the fearsome veteran foursome also hit a growing spurt during the interim.

Rohman, who just missed an individual state bid by placing third at 106 pounds at the 2023 Section 3AA Meet, will nestle into the newly-created 121-pound spot for the Red Bulls.

“Pierce had a breakout year for us and finished just one match away from the state meet,” Williamson said in reference to Rohman, who compiled an impressive 32-11 record.

Faber, who produced a 29-13 mark at 113 a year ago, will bump up to the new 139-pound weight class. Faber captured second place at 113 during last season’s Valley/Minnesota River Conference Meet.

Kosbab will make the transition from 132 to 152 after generating an 18-14 record, highlighted by a bronze-medal showing at 132 in the Valley/Minnesota River Conference Meet.

Austin, who proved his mettle by garnering a 29-7 mark at 152 in 2022-23, will handle the Red Bulls’ grappling duties at 172 this season.

Senior heavyweight Colby Schwichtenberg and junior 160-pounder Ty Kolbe also return to Martin County’s lineup and earned the moniker of team captains for the upcoming campaign. Both Schwichtenberg and Kolbe grapple at the same respective weight classes as a year ago.

Schwichtenberg will vie with Dakota Madias at 285, while Kolbe will battle Caleb Chambers at the 160 spot.

“We should have some room for maneuvering within our lineup for dual meets with Kosbab, Kolbe, Chambers and Taylor Austin weighing in from 152 to 172,” said Williamson.

Junior Torrey Paplow returns to the center circle for the Red Bulls after missing the majority of last season due to an injury. Paplow has the inside track at 133 pounds this season.

D.J. Miller and Ivan Martin will compete at the 215-pound weight class, while Hank Olson and Hunter Johnson will wrestle off for duties at 189.

Evan Welcome has the inside track at 145 for Martin County, Ethan Siebring and Brock Stauffer will vie for time at 127, while Billy Arnold will likely fill the spot at 114.

“There could be a number of junior high-aged kids dualing for the spot at 107, but it’s too early to predict any front-runners,” said Williamson, whose team lost a 34-32 sectional semifinal last winter. “We’ve still got a young crew, and I’m eager to watch their development this season.”

Dusty Faber, Adam Schorn, Parker Anderson, Tyler Bitting, Nick Pease and Zach Johnston will round out Williamson’s coaching staff this season.

The Red Bulls open the season by competing in the Dick Maher Invitational at 10 a.m. Saturday in Blue Earth.

“Our goals are to get three matches under everybody’s belts, and come away with some levels of success at the tournament,” said Williamson.

The Red Bulls return to regular-season tournament action at the Jackson County Central Invitational at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, in Jackson.