Nine area wrestlers will take to the mat at the individual state wrestling meet this Friday and Saturday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Class ‘A’

Southland senior Michael Churchill, a 125-pounder who is 34-8 on the year, will open up with a match against Blue Earth junior Jake Wirtjes, who is 32-5 on the year.

Wirtjes is ranked No. 6 in Class ‘A.’

Blooming Prairie senior 130-pounder Seth Johnson, who is 34-5, will take on Klinton VanHeuveln of Kerkoven/Murdock/Sunberg, who is 36-5.

VanHeuveln is ranked No. 3 in Class ‘A.’

Hayfield freshman Mason Moreno, a 130-pounder who is 20-5, will take on Border West senior Taylor McClaip, who is 32-10. This is Moreno’s second trip to state.

Hayfield senior Myles Moreno, who is 13-7 at 145 pounds, will take on Kimbal Area eighth grader Jordan Joseph, who is 38-2. It is the second career trip to state for Moreno.

Moreno is ranked No. 7 in Class ‘A.’

Southland senior Grant Hegge is making his fifth trip to state and he comes in with a 40-1 record at 140 pounds. He will open with Border West freshman Austin Maanum, who is 34-8.

Hegge is ranked No. 2 in Class ‘A.’

Hayfield senior Tyler Nelson, who is 19-11 at 171 pounds, will take on Martin County West senior Levi Ringell, who is 28-8.

Ringell is ranked No. 9 in Class ‘A.’

Hayfield senior Blake Ardnt, who is 18-1 at 215 pounds, will open with Mille Lacs junior Gabe Tramm, who is 14-15.

Arndt is ranked No. 5 in Class ‘A.’

Class ‘AAA’

Austin sophomore Deven Felten, who is 28-8 at 103 pounds will take on Erik Olson of Sauk Rapids Rice, who is 36-4, in the first round.

Olson is ranked No. 4 in Class ‘AAA.’

Austin sophomore Erick Power, who is 25-16 at 119 pounds, will open with Hastings senior Corey Latuff, who is 34-8.

Latuff is ranked No. 5 in Class ‘AAA.’