STAPLES — The Staples-Motley Cardinals are the 2025 Class A wrestling state champions.
The championship match Thursday, Feb. 27, was a rematch of last year’s finals with Chatfield. But this time, the Cardinals came out on top, beating the Gophers 33-16.
This is the team’s first state win in 40 years.
The Cardinals beat Jackson County Central 64-0 in the semifinals.
They faced Northern Minnesota’s other Class A team, United North Central, in the first round, winning 51-11.
The UNC Warriors beat LeSueur-Henderson 34-28 to advance to the consolation championship, where they lost 28-34 to Canby.
Grand Rapids in 2A and Bemidji in 3A both lost their first matchups; Grand Rapids narrowly to Simley, 33-34, and Bemidji 26-33 to Albert Lea Area.
But the Thunderhawks and the Lumberjacks rallied.
Grand Rapids beat Perham 42-24, then beat Marshall 30-25 in the consolation championship to take fifth overall.
Bemidji also won their consolation bracket, narrowly defeating Hastings 30-29 and then beating Prior Lakes 40-27.
The individual wrestling tournament continues through Saturday, with over 70 Northland wrestlers competing. KAXE will share those results next week.
