The Quarter Final round at state Friday night once again brought mixed results. Bailee’s opponent lost his quarter match 4-3 which unfortunately bumped Bailee out of the tournament. Joel wrestled a 2x state champ Austin Anderly of LeSueur-Henderson very competitively, frustrating him to the end. Down 5-3 with a minute left, Joel attacked to score but Anderly countered well and Joel ultimately fell 9-4.

Joel’s loss dropped him to the consolation bracket. In the late wrestle back session, Joel put lots of points on the board against his opponent, Hunter Sumner of Mille Lacs. Up 9-2, Joel got into a scramble that led to him sitting in a leg ride. Naturally a leg riding machine, Joel settled into a guillotine, and crisply transitioned into a headlock to get the fall in the third period.

In the consolation quarter final round, Joel needed to win to be a medalist. His opponent was Byron Byer, a senior from Frazee, and a common opponent. Byer defeated Joel in his first state match two years ago. With revenge in mind, Joel emerged victorious with a 3-1 decision. Joel Gadient is going to be on the podium tonight!

Joel wrestles next at approximately 1:00 p.m. in the consolation semifinals. Depending on the outcome, Joel will wrestle for either 3rd or 5th place in the 4:30 3rd/5th place round. Championship finals are slated for a 7:00 start.