Century qualifies program record six in a special day for Rochester wrestling

ROCHESTER — Century High School etched a new line in its wrestling history on Saturday, advancing a program-best six individuals to the Class 3A state tournament during the Section 1 individual finals at Mayo Civic Center.

Junior Lane Royston defended his 107-pound section crown with a 7-4 victory over top-seeded Miles Aase, becoming the Panthers’ lone champion on a day that still felt like a sweep. Jackson Spearman (127), Keegan Thoma (139), Gabrien Callies (145), Keon Callies (152) and William Dauner Olson (189) each finished second, giving Century its largest state contingent ever.

“Last week was tough, but the boys responded really well,” Panthers coach Joel Messick said, referencing the narrow loss to Northfield in the Section 1-3A team title match. “They knew they could put a good day together. It was a heck of a section tournament.”

The Callies brothers will join siblings Byron and Eliana as state qualifiers, while Thoma and Dauner Olson secured their spots with true-second wrestle-back wins. Including girls competitor Nora Astorino, Century will send seven wrestlers to the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul when competition begins Thursday at 9 a.m.

Mayo also flexed its muscle, punching four tickets to state. Freshman Duke Bartoo (215) and junior Caleb Loomis (285) claimed their first section championships, and Andrew Trimble (133) and Kellen Burger (160) placed second. Loomis, now a three-time state qualifier, praised Bartoo’s rapid rise. “Second year wrestling, and he’s already won a section title? Just awesome,” Loomis said. “When I’m done, heavyweight at Mayo is in good hands.”

John Marshall broke a seven-year drought when eighth-grader Danan Nelson majored Century’s Thoma 17-8 to win the 139-pound bracket, becoming the Rockets’ first section champion—and state qualifier—since 2017. “My school hasn’t sent anyone in seven years, so it’s pretty cool to do that,” Nelson said.

Across the three Rochester public schools, 13 individuals—11 boys and two girls—will compete at state. “A pretty good year for Rochester wrestling,” Messick summed up.