ABOVE: Martin County West/Fairmont Red Bull Maddex Faber ties up Brayden Ramo in the Section 3AA tournament in Sherburn on Feb. 13. Sentinel File Photo.

TRIMONT – The Martin County West/Fairmont Red Bulls qualified three wrestlers for this year’s State Individual Wrestling Tournament at the Xcel Energy Center this Friday that are looking to make an impact.

The trio consisting of Pierce Rohman, Maddex Faber, and Torrey Paplow have put together a season where they have a combined record of 129-15.

Wrestling at 172 pounds is Faber, who has a record of 42-7 heading into the tournament. Faber has had to adjust a bit this season due to going up a weight class this year, but his dedication to training and building muscle has paid off, but the biggest hurdle to overcome was all mental.

“Confidence,” said Faber. “I had to go up a weight, so I had to trust my training and my strength.”

Faber has been training hard this season focusing on his technique in order to become a stronger wrestler leading up to his first-ever state appearance.

“I’ve been just going hard through every position,” said Faber. “And a lot more lifting with going up a weight. I had to put on more muscle.”

With him is junior Paplow, who wrestled at 145 pounds and has had a strong year with a record of 44-5. Paplow’s explosive performance on the mat leaves little doubt as to why he is returning to state for the second time.

“I’m just more confident in my offseason training,” said Paplow. “And what I put in in the offseason, and that’s turning out to what I’m doing now. And now it’s that we’re into the last week, it’s just maintaining what I’ve built throughout the season with our team.”

The hard training has been crucial in Paplow’s continued success as a Red Bull. Now that he knows what to expect he has shaken the nerves and is aiming for a podium finish.

“I’m not really nervous,” said Paplow. “I’m just more excited. Last year it was more for the nerves. Now it’s just I’ve been there before, so now I’m just ready to wrestle, ready to go.”

Last but certainly not least is Rohman. Wrestling at 133 pounds, the sophomore still has his eyes set on his goal of 120 wins, but that will require placing at state. Rohman is focused heading into the tournament to carry the momentum he has built this season.

“I’m excited to wrestle there, you know,” said Rohman. “Same thing as Torrey, nervous last time, more excited this time.”

It was at the Section 3AA championship where Rohman, Paplow, and Faber secured a berth to the state tournament.

Rohman locked in a second-place finish by winning his quarterfinal match against Gavin Williams of Marshall by 19-3 tech fall. Rohman secured the win in the semifinal match against Isaiah Nelson via decision 9-3. Rohman fell to Logan Schwanz by fall in the first-place match before claiming victory via no contest over Isaiah Nelson.

Paplow secured second place in the 145-pound weight class by first defeating Hugo Lopez by tech fall 17-2. Paplow then defeated Holland Schacherer by tech fall 17-2 before falling to Grayson Gibson by tech fall 20-5. Paplow won his second-place match over Tyson Louwagie by tech fall 21-5.

Faber took second at 172 pounds by first defeating Grant McCain by tech fall. Faber secured the decision over Joshua Kraft in the semifinal round 9-3. Faber lost to Wyatt Pollard by tech fall 19-4, before claiming a no-contest victory over Joshua Kraft.

The three Red Bulls head to the Xcel Energy Center for the Class AA portion of the individual state tourney Friday. The Class AAA wrestlers are scheduled to wrestle first at 9 a.m. Friday morning. The state individual quarterfinals begin at 9 a.m. Saturday morning.