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ROCHESTER — Miklo Hernandez’s list of accomplishments has reached the overflow stage, and he’s just a sophomore.
Hernandez earned the 133-pound title at the prestigious MatBoss Christmas Tournament on Saturday at the Mayo Civic Center.
“Miklo wrestled really well,” PAS head coach Paul Young noted. “He came into the tournament with the mindset of reaching his goals, and win the title. It was awesome to see him do that in every aspect.”
Pipestone Area Schools’ Miklo Hernandez receives an award for claiming the 133-pound championship at the MatBoss Tournament in Rochester on Saturday, Dec. 20. (Contributed photo)
As the No. 1 seed, Hernandez drew an opening-round bye. However, he still needed to beat five opponents for the championship.
In the tournament final, Hernandez bested Stillwater’s Noah Nicholson on an 18-9 major decision. He won three earlier bouts on technical falls.
Aidan Aure of Menomonie, Wis., posed the biggest challenge to Hernandez in the semifinals, but Miklo decisioned him 7-2.
Hernandez stuck to his aggressive game plan, keeping up the pressure on everyone.
As for the rest of the Arrow wrestlers, Eastview’s Ryan Layeux recorded an opening round 6-0 decision over heavyweight Griffin Smidt — relegating him to the consolation bracket. Smidt won one match on that side of the bracket on a 9-3 decision.
At 160 pounds, Haden Mulvihill recorded a 19-3 technical fall over Watertown (S.D.) opponent Owen Peterson before being stopped by Farmington’s Ethan Mangowi in the second round.
Elk River’s Brayden Hawes posted a 5-2 decision over Mason Fruechte in the first round. Fruechte later earned an 18-3 decision over Grady Doering of St. Cloud Tech.
Fruechte was second in the 127B division during the Last Chance event.
Young reported during Saturday’s Last Chance Tournament, Carlos Saenlouangraj went 2-0 with a pair of pins. Oliver Sterud, Smidt and Mulvihill also won twice. Saenlouangraj was tops at 145C, Mulvihill 160D and Sterud at 172B.
Pipestone Area Schools’ wrestling team competed at the MatBoss Christmas Tournament in Rochester for the first time in nearly a decade. The Arrows finished with 56.5 points, 30 alone from Miklo Hernandez. (Contributed photo)
Overall, the Arrows scored 56.5 points, with 30 from Hernandez, for 41st out of 48 squads. Other PAS wrestlers gained experience: Andres Guardado (114), Marcus Niz (189) and Santino Teboe (215). Lane Fruechte was listed at 121 pounds; however, he didn’t compete.
Powerhouse St. Michael-Albertville was the meet winner with 376 points, 104.5 more than Stillwater.
Of regional note, Brandon Valley (S.D.) heavyweight Elijah Schunke recorded a dominant 13-0 major decision over Carter Johnson from Bismarck (N.D.) Legacy.
Schunke is the younger brother of Kansas State University football player Navarro Schunke. Elijah has committed to join the wrestling program at Utah Valley State in Orem.
Braves Classic Saturday
BENSON — PAS wrestling will compete during the holidays, heading to the 38th Annual Braves Classic on Saturday.
Benson High School will serve as host of a wrestling tournament on Saturday, Dec. 27. (Contributed graphic)
This is an individual bracketed tournament featuring host Benson, Fergus Falls, Wabasso, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg and the Arrows.
Young said PAS will bring its entire squad, including girls and junior varsity members.
Matches will begin at 10 a.m.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students.
Benson High School is located at 1400 Montana Avenue.
PAS then wrestles at the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Tournament set for 2:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.
Marshall takes second
REDWOOD FALLS — Marshall placed second at the Redwood River Riot, a two-day tournament on Friday-Saturday, Dec. 19-20.
Brayden Chandler earned the 172-pound championship with an 11-8 decision over Simon Boeckman from Holdingford, who won the team title.
Marshall’s Brayden Chandler, a student at Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, tries to control his opponent during a Class AA 160-pound bout last Saturday in St. Paul. Chandler is now a two-time state placer. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Chandler is a multi-sport athlete attending Russell-Tyler-Ruthton.
Marshall also fared well in other weight classes with Lincoln Christensen taking the garland at 121 (17-0 technical fall over New Ulm Area’s Regan Johnson).
Keenan Coequyt placed third at 127, Tyson Louwagie fourth (152), Tyler Kraft seventh (189) and Dawson DeCamp eighth (145).
Marshall also will compete at the BBE Tournament in Belgrade on Jan. 2.