What to look for at the 2024-25 Boys’ West Region Tournament

WATFORD CITY – WDA boy’s wrestlers head to Watford City for the West Region Individual Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 15. The top eight place winners in each of the 13 divisions will qualify for the state individual tournament, Feb. 20-21 in Fargo. This marks the second time Watford City is hosting regionals. Here’s what to look for.

Which WDA teams have the best shot at the team title?
Bismarck High is the defending region champion, is the state’s top-ranked team, and is coming off the title at the first WDA Dual Tournament a week ago. No. 2 ranked Bismarck Legacy and No. 3 Bismarck Century also boast a deep lineup with several wrestlers who should vie for a state-qualifying spot.

Who will be the surprise team?
While the perennial powers are expected to challenge for a title, which team may overachieve at the West Region Tournament and sneak into the top three in team scoring, or pick up several additional state qualifiers? Teams that could fall into this camp include Williston, Dickinson, Minot High and Mandan.

How many region champions return?
Nine wrestlers are back. They include: Jake Glaser, Dickinson; Nicolas Enzminger, Legacy; Joey Enzminger, Legacy; Ben DeForest, Bismarck High; Brier Arnegard, Watford City; Brayden Morris, Bismarck Century; Hugh Meyer, Dickinson; Ole Taylor, Bismarck Century; and Darion Bitz, Bismarck Century. Some have moved up a division while others have stayed put.

What weight classes to keep an eye on?
While there should be plenty of competitive matches in every class, there are a few divisions that will produce plenty of intrigue. One of them is at 107 where Colton Ireland may be the slight favorite, but legacy’s Dylan Sandness; Dickinson’s Max Glaser and Mandan’s Alec Mitschelknaus will be in the mix. The 145 division also has some good wresters vying for the title. Hudson Egeberg, Bismarck High, is a state champion, but the talent doesn’t end there. Clark Thompson, Legacy; Raphael Trottier, TMCHS; Seamus Kuklok, Century; and Kaden Kraft Minot High are also ranked high in the final state coaches’ poll. The 152 class should also be a fun one to follow. Conrad Kopari is the top-ranked wrestler, but strong challengers include Braden Halverson, BHS; Lucas Schlepuetz, of Jamestown; Joryn Richter of St. Mary’s; and defending region champ Brier Arnegard, Watford City.

Where does the field of grapplers rank?
Here’s a list of the WDA’s top wrestlers heading into this week’s regional (*defending state champion)
107: Colton Ireland, Bismarck High; Dylan Sandness, Legacy; Max Glaser, Dickinson; Alec Mutschelknaus, Mandan
114: *Jake Glaser, Dickinson; Kayden Egeberg, Bismarck High; Hunter McGrane, Mandan
121: *Nicolas Enzminger, Legacy; Grady Iverson, Century; Dylan Mosset, St. Mary’s
127: *Joey Enzminger, Legacy; Vernon Copenhaver, Williston; Cade Nieuwsma, Bismarck High; Korbin Kraft, Minot High; Kellen Beneke, Mandan; Blu Miller, St. Mary’s
133: *Ben DeForest, Bismarck High; Alijah Piatz, Century; Wyatt Turner, Dickinson; Kaden Philion, Minot High; Hunter Olson, Legacy
139: Kellan Larson, Williston; Carson Lardy, Bismarck High; Carter Wylde, Century; Brody Kramer, Legacy
145: *Hudson Egeberg, Bismarck High; Clark Thompson, Legacy; Raphael Trottier, TMCHS; Seamus Kuklok, Century; Kaden Kraft, Minot High
152: Conrad Kopari, Dickinson; Braeden Halverson, Bismarck High; Lucas Schlepuetz, Jamestown; Joryn Richter, St. Mary’s; Brier Arnegard, Watford City; Maddox Slater, Mandan; Hunter Helgeson, Century
160: Tyson Rice, Williston; Kaullen Hegney, Mandan; Colin Parisien, TMCHS; Zach Richter, St. Mary’s
172: Brayden Morris, Century; Tate Sailer, Mandan; Noah Bledsoe, Minot High; Isiah Haugen, Williston
189: Hugh Meyer, Dickinson; James Marks, Legacy; Emery Slater, Mandan; Charles Richter, St. Mary’s; Evan Berg, Minot High
215: *Ole Taylor, Century; Lincoln Brooks, Minot High; Landon Riely, Williston; Lincoln Lemar, Legacy
285: *Darion Bitz, Century; Carter Johnson, Legacy; Easton Egeberg, Bismarck High; Sam Inman, Watford City