UPDATE: In a historic achievement, Brynn Streff has become the first female wrestler from Willmar to qualify for the state tournament! This groundbreaking moment occurred during the Section 8 championships held on Saturday.
Streff, competing in the 100-pound bracket, secured her spot at the prestigious girls’ state tournament after finishing as runner-up. After a tough semifinal match against Natalee Friedrichs from Sauk Centre/Melrose, who clinched the Section 8 title, Streff rebounded to defeat Lillian Lane from Thief River Falls. She then triumphed over Anilyse Bundy of Brainerd with a dominating 14-3 major decision to claim third place.
However, the excitement didn’t stop there. In a true second-place match, Streff faced Brooklyn Smith from Sartell and delivered a decisive 6-0 decision, earning her spot in the state competition. The girls’ state tournament kicks off at 9 a.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2025, at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.
Streff’s journey has captivated her community and beyond, showcasing the rise of female athletes in wrestling. “This is a huge milestone not just for me, but for all the girls in our program,” Streff said after her match. “I hope to inspire others to pursue their dreams.”
In addition, fellow wrestler Maria Perez came close to joining Streff at state. Competing in the 118-pound category, Perez fought valiantly but ultimately fell short after losing her opening match against Abigail Swenson. She claimed victory in her next four matches, including a significant win over Brooklyn Budeau of Sauk Centre/Melrose, before facing Swenson again in a rematch for true second place.
Other notable performances at the Section 8 championships included strong showings from Monica Mogollon, Nadia Lopez-Berg, and Lisa Resendiz, who all contributed to Willmar’s impressive team effort.
Meanwhile, in Section 5, Elizabeth Rademacher from Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa also secured her place at state, finishing with a perfect 3-0 record and a pin against Morgan Mielke in the championship match. Ava Kiecker from BOLD and Brooklyn Binsfeld from Paynesville also earned spots, showcasing the competitive spirit across the board.
As the excitement builds for the girls’ state tournament, all eyes will be on Brynn Streff as she aims to make even more history. Stay tuned for updates as this inspiring young athlete takes to the mat in pursuit of victory!
