PONIES PROVE THEY ARE 2ND TO ONLY STMA IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA
Dateline: Coach Onken’s Living Room 1/31/2026 6:39PM
The Ponies are winding down the regular season and if the last 3 days have proved anything, they have solidified themselves as the clear #2 team in the entire state of Minnesota. After recently taking down the #1 and #2 teams in Class A (Staples Motley, Chatfield) the Ponies wrestled two more high caliber teams this past week in St. Croix Falls, WI and Kasson Mantorville. St. Croix Falls is the defending class 2 team champion from 2025 and currently ranked 2nd while Kasson Mantorville is the 2nd ranked team in Class AA here in Minnesota.
On Thursday evening the team headed up to St. Croix Falls to face the Saints in a St. Croix Valley showdown from across the river. Chase Lawrence got things under way with a forfeit at 107. The Ponies reciprocated at 114 to make the score 6-6. Brodie Lawrence wrestled up and gained a 2nd period fall to give the Ponies a 12-6 lead. The Saints came right back with a decision to keep the score close at 12-9. Noah Nicholson won by fall to bring the score to 18-9 and the Saints scored a decision at 134 to make the score 18-12. The Ponies went on a run after that with a fall by Rogotzke, a tech fall by Leonard, a fall by Jones and a tech fall by Eggum to bring the score to 40-12 Stillwater. The Saints received a fall at 175 but the Ponies kept pouring it on with a tech fall by Cael Spates at 190 and a fall at 215 by Cohen Lumby. The Ponies lead 51-18 and forfeited at 285 to make the final 51-24. This was the Ponies 20th win of the season and another win over a highly ranked opponent.
On Friday the Ponies were supposed to face Grand Rapids and Cretin Derham Hall, but GR backed out at the last minute so it became an Suburban East Conference dual only. The Ponies did not have much trouble with the Crusaders winning easily by a score of 50-18. Sawyer Johnson saw his first action on the varsity mat and Owen Stow stepped in at 285 for an ill Andrew Olson. The Ponies improved to 21-2 on the season and 8-0 in conference. On the girls side, Audrey Rogotzke earned her 125 career win in a dual win over the Blaine Tigers.
On Saturday the Ponies went to Kasson Mantorville for a dual with the Comets. With Andrew Olson still out, it appeared this one might be close but the Ponies had a different idea. The Lawrence brothers started things off and gave the Ponies a 8-0 lead. Kasson scored a tech fall at 121 but that was the last points they would score until 172. Noah Nicholson won by fall and that was followed by decisions from Hartung, Rogotzke, Leonard and Jones. Eggum scored a tech fall at 160 to give the Ponies a 31-5 lead and a dual victory. Kasson received a fall and a decision at 172 and 189 but the Ponies finished up with a tech fall for Jordan Gunderson at 215 and a fall at 285 by Cohen Lumby for a final of 42-14. As stated earlier this solidifies Stillwater’s place as #2 team in the State, second only to STMA and they will get one more shot at them at the State Tournament. The Ponies ended the day at 22-2 with one more conference match with Moundsview this Thursday.
One more side note, Elijah Hunter made his appearance at the 9th Grade State Tournament on Saturday, wrestled hard, but unfortunately did not place. Its important to know this is the grounds for many future MSHSL state entrants and place winners.
In addition 3 Ponies female wrestlers also participated in the 9th Grade State Girls Tournament. Crosby Smith placed 1st at 88 lbs, Charlie Jones placed 2nd at 112 lbs. and Merci Kent placed 1st at 130 lbs. The girls scored 69.5 points and finished as runners up to Two Rivers. Congratulations girls!
We will see you Thursday at Moundsview.