MAT MANEUVERS — Martin County Red Bulls wrestler Torrey Paplow (top) maneuvers Hutchinson opponent Max Martin during last Saturday’s Section 3AA Individual Meet’s 133-pound bracket in Windom. Paplow will open the Class AA individual state wrestling meet at 9 a.m. Friday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. (Photo by Charlie Sorrells)

ST. PAUL — A rich family tradition continues.

Martin County sophomore Torrey Paplow and Red Bulls freshman teammate Pierce Rohman have each followed in their respective older brothers’ footsteps by qualifying for their first-ever individual state wrestling tournament.

“It will be nine years running that a Rohman from our wrestling program will step onto the mats at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul,” Red Bulls’ head coach Adam Williamson said in reference to the Class AA competition that kicks off at 9 a.m. Friday. “Jaxson (Rohman) was a six-time state medalist — including two state championships, while Carver (Rohman) qualified for the individual state meet twice.

“That’s an impressive run by one family.”

Paplow, however, also continues a highly-successful string of state wrestling qualifiers, following the pathes of two-time state-placer Connor Simmonds, one-time state-placer Nathan Simmonds and state runner-up Alex Anderson — all his siblings.

“They’ve both got wrestling in their genetics, and while they’re very proud to represent their respective families, both are looking to make a name for themselves at the state meet this year,” said Williamson. “Torrey’s been on a mission all season, while Pierce was motivated by finishing just one match away from qualifying last season.”

Pierce Rohman, who was ranked for the majority of the 2023-24 campaign until the final two polls, drew No. 1-ranked and unbeaten sophomore Titan Friederichs of Watertown-Mayer/Mayer Lutheran in his opening 121-pound state match at 9 a.m. Friday at the Xcel Energy Center.

Rohman enters the preliminary clash with a 39-3 overall record, while Friederichs — who captured the 2023 Class AA 113-pound state crown — carries a perfect 46-0 mark on the canvas.

“Pierce has been steady all season, and on any given day, can beat some of the top wrestlers in the state,” said Williamson. “It’s a tough draw, but if you do lose, there’s a very good chance that you’ll get a wrestleback match since Friederichs mostly likely would not lose his quarterfinal.

“If that (a first-round loss) happens, I have the confidence that Pierce can fight his way back to get on the podium (sixth-place or higher showing).”

Totino-Grace sophomore Jackson Refsnider (44-4) and Howard Lake/Waverly/Winsted sophomore Raydon Graham (41-10) represent the top challengers in the lower half of Rohman’s bracket after each medaled a year ago.

Refsnider, who placed fourth at 113 in Class AA in 2023, holds the No. 2 seed, while Graham — who earned runner-up honors at 113 in Class A last winter — represents the No. 3 seed in this year’s 121-pound Class AA bracket.

“We (coaching staff) have been doing a lot of scouting and film study on both Torrey’s and Pierce’s opponents, and really focusing and honing our two guys’ mental and physical approaches,” said Williamson. “The best quality about Torrey is that he never wears out and keeps coming at you. If it’s close on the scoreboard late, he’ll always have a chance to win.”

The No. 6-ranked Paplow carries a 36-3 seasonal record into his 133-pound Class AA state opener against No. 3-ranked and third-seeded senior Jack Krier (42-3) of Zumbrota-Mazeppa. Krier captured the fifth-place state medal at 126 during the 2023 Class AA state meet.

If Paplow can gain the semifinals, he would likely square off against No. 2-seeded and second-ranked senior Vance Barz (39-5) of Sauk Rapids-Rice. Barz was the 126-pound bronze medalist at the 2023 Class AA state meet.

“Torrey beat the Barz kid for third place at the River Riot tournament earlier this season,” said Williamson. “He’d definitely like to get another chance to wrestle him again.”

Ironically, Paplow also knows the 133-pound bracket’s No. 1 seed and top-ranked grappler first-hand after losing to him in the Section 3 semifinals last Saturday in Windom.

Marshall senior Dylan Louwagie carries a 48-0 record into Friday’s first round. Louwagie captured second place at 132 pounds during the 2023 Class AA state meet.

In the Class A portion of the state competition, Blue Earth Area senior Kade Gaydon makes his second consecutive state appearance, while Buc senior teammate Cooper Peterson makes his Xcel Energy Center debut at 9 a.m. Friday.

Gaydon carries a 28-10 record into his opening-round clash with No. 2-seeded and No. 3-ranked Landon Lehnertz (31-3) of Dover-Eyota. Lehnertz placed sixth at 170 pounds during the 2023 state meet.

In the top half of Gaydon’s 172-pound bracket, No. 1-ranked senior Maximus Hanson (45-0) of Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa holds the top seed. Hanson won the 170-pound Class A state championship in 2023.

Peterson, who also follows in his brother’s state-qualifying footsteps, opens 139-pound action against No. 4-ranked and No. 4-seeded Hudson Burnett (28-5) of Pipestone Area.

Top-seeded and No. 2-ranked senior Ryan Jensen (43-0) of Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa represents the top rival for Peterson in their half of the bracket.

Dover-Eyota senior Bolton Thesing, who’s seeded second and ranked third, represents the top challenger in the lower half of the Class A 139-pound bracket.

Both the Class A and AA individual state meet conclude on Saturday.