Lake Conference Wrestling: Hopkins Eyes More Success

Last year was a whirlwind season for the wrestling team. The Royals not only , but they sent six wrestlers individually to state for the first time since 1963.

To get there, the team needed to beat Lake Conference champion Eden Prairie in sections—a squad that beat the Royals twice in the regular season. 

That resilience and hard work rubbed off on Hopkins’ program. This year, coach Pat Marcy expects his team to be just as competitive as it was last fall.

“The year before we lost five seniors and we had a great year—we lost five seniors again this year, but we’re as solid as ever,” Marcy said. “We’re going to do the same thing. We’re going to move a step up.”

Still, it won’t be easy. Marcy expects the entire conference to rival for the Lake title in 2011-12. 

Patch spoke with coaches across the conference to see which teams and wrestlers will stand above the rest this winter.

TEAMS TO WATCH

Hopkins—The Royals upset Eden Prairie in the section championship last year, topping an Eagles squad that beat them twice in the regular season. 

Eden Prairie—The Eagles won the conference a year ago and should factor into the race again this winter.

Minnetonka—The Skippers won seven of eight duals leading into a Section 6AAA semifinal loss to Hopkins last winter. Minnetonka hopes to continue that streak this winter.

KEY RETURNERS

Sam Brancale (Eden Prairie)—Brancale had the conference’s best finish a year ago, taking third in the 119 pound class at the Class AAA state meet. Brancale went 43-3 last year.

Nick O’Brien (Wayzata)—O’Brien (38-13) finished sixth in state a year ago in the 112 pound class.

Andrew Sutton (Minnetonka)—Sutton (28-16) is the Skippers’ lone returning wrestler who reached state last year. 

Jacob Price (Hopkins)—Price (33-9) reached state both with the Royals team last season and as an individual in the 103 pound weight class.

Romar Daniel (Hopkins)—Possibly the Royals’ best athlete, Marcy said the team talked Daniel into going out for wrestling last season. The result? A 28-13 record and a trip to state.

KEY LOSSES

Nic Schweisthal (Minnetonka)—Schweisthal (28-8) reached the Class AAA state meet as a 160 pounder last year.

Collin Nouth (Wayzata)—Nouth finished the season at the state meet and compiled a 24-11 record as a senior.

Michael DeJolsvay (Hopkins)—DeJolsvay compiled a 36-3 record last year and was a big part in the Royals’ trip to the state meet.

Austin Haercharl (Hopkins)—Haercharl had a 34-10 record for Hopkins as a senior.

PRESEASON WRESTLER OF THE YEAR

Sam Brancale (Eden Prairie)—The Eagles’ standout went 5-1 at the Class AAA state meet last year. He’ll be a force again this winter.