Waseca High School's wrestling team has seen incredible performances this season, especially from three standout athletes: Slade Barnett, Matthew Veroeven, and Ben Hagen. Each of these wrestlers has shown remarkable skill, contributing to the team's success, and they were recently named to the 2024-2025 Big South Conference All-Conference Wrestling Team.
Slade Barnett has had an outstanding season with a 46-6 record and is currently ranked #4 by The Guillotine. Slade’s hard work paid off when he placed 5th at the state tournament. His victory margin has been impressive, with 8 wins by decision, 3 by major decision, 16 by technical fall, and 10 by fall, proving his dominance on the mat.
Matthew Veroeven finished the season with a 29-4 record and a #9 ranking by The Guillotine. Matthew secured 18 wins by fall and 4 wins by major decision. He also made it to the second day of the state tournament, showcasing his skill and perseverance.
Ben Hagen, with a 35-11 record, also qualified for the state tournament. Ben demonstrated versatility with 3 wins by decision, 2 by major decision, 2 by technical fall, and 20 wins by fall. His ability to win in a variety of ways has made him a key contributor to the team's success.
These impressive stats, combined with their recognition on the Big South Conference All-Conference Wrestling Team, highlight the exceptional talent of Slade, Matthew, and Ben.