ABOVE: Pierce Rohman.

FAIRMONT – Losses can be defining moments in an athlete’s career, and for Martin County Red Bulls wrestler Pierce Rohman, one defeat became a turning point.

​The opening round defeat to Becker’s Bennett Kujawa in the 2025 Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Class AA State Tournament put a damper on what was set to be a deep run at the 133-pound title. The 7-3 decision loss, however, ended up doing more than knocking Rohman into the consolation bracket.

It changed the belief in himself.

​He finished the rest of his postseason experience in dominant fashion, taking down his next three opponents before running it back versus Kujawa in a third-place showdown. Rohman got the edge the second time around, defeating his opponent in a 9-2 decision that secured a state podium finish for the first time in his career.

​”I watched the opponents that I had [to face] the next couple of rounds, and I’ve beaten guys that have beaten them before,” Rohman said. “I knew I could compete with everyone there, especially after that first match by almost beating the one seed.”

The first-round defeat to Kujawa did more than just give Rohman a jolt of confidence, it changed his mat mentality completely. Rather than going out and avoiding a loss, the junior has taken a different approach in how he handles competition – leaving no doubt.

“I’d like to score more points rather than just going out to win,” Rohman said. “I’d like to put points on the board and do whatever I can to dominate the person rather than simply beating them.”

Rohman has helped this new mentality by going out of his way to face the best of the best competition, fluctuating between different weight classes to seek out wrestlers that can improve his skills.

This strategy has been effective in the early portions of the season. Rohman has begun the year with a strong undefeated record, placing first in the Red River Riot, Pizza Ranch Invitational and the Dick Maher Invite while competing at 139- and 145-pound weight classes.

“One of the things he’s matured with is seeking out better competition, wanting to face better guys,” Martin County Red Bulls head coach Adam Williamson said. “It’s not shying away from it [increased competition], whereas a first-year varsity kid isn’t going to go for that so much.”

Rohman has improved his skills and talents on the mat throughout his wrestling career, taking leaps each year in the Red Bull program and establishing his name as a force to be reckoned with in the lower weight classes.

His first year on the scene came his freshman season. Rohman finished the year with a 39-5 record, earning a bid in the MSHSL Class AA State Tournament in the 121-pound weight class. Despite losing his first two matches, the foundation was set for a strong high school career in the sport.

According to Williamson, Rohman’s development now extends beyond wins and losses. His work ethic has made him a role model for younger wrestlers while pushing himself alongside other experienced teammates.

“He’s kind of been stair stepping into bigger and bigger goals and having better and better results each year,” Williamson said. “He’s continued to step it up, becoming more of a leader and working harder in practice while being pushed by other guys.”