Fatimzahra Elbouab, age 16
The 19th annual Rumble on the Red Wrestling Championship is a three-day event hosted at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota. Nearly 2,000 varsity and JV wrestlers, along with more than 1,200 youth wrestlers from over 50 youth dual teams, compete over the course of the tournament.
With 24 mats running simultaneously, Rumble on the Red is one of the largest high school wrestling events in the United States. On January 2, the Minot United Girls Wrestling Team traveled to Fargo to compete. Last year, the team had six placers at the tournament. This season, under Head Coach Ari Korish, Coach Stenberg, and Coach Jones, the girls placed third overall as a team, finishing with eight individual placers.
Girls Varsity Results – Rumble on the Red: 100: Brooklyn Ost, 2nd; 106: Ella Brown, 7th; 112: Monica Boakye, 5th and Khylie Schlotz, 6th; 118: Fatimazahra Elbouab, 7th; 130: Madisyn Racine, 3rd; 142: Riley Hansen, 8th; 148: Maycee Boyce, 3rd. With eight placers, the Minot United Girls Wrestling Team demonstrated strong effort and dedication throughout the tournament.
The second day required the most grit, as many wrestlers competed in the blood rounds to determine placement. The Minot United Boys Wrestling Team also found success in Fargo. Kale Risbrudt placed first in JV at 285, while Jack Combs placed seventh in varsity at 107. While the boys had fewer placers, the team wrestled hard and gained valuable experience.
The following week, the Minot United Girls Wrestling Team hosted a dual at Minot High against Bismarck Legacy. That evening also marked the team’s senior night, where the seniors were recognized and celebrated. The next day, on January 9, both teams competed in the 60th annual Bismarck Rotary Tournament, held at the Bismarck Event Center and hosted by BPS Activities and the Rotary.
The two-day tournament featured over 1,200 wrestlers from North Dakota and surrounding states, including South Dakota and Montana. At the Rotary Tournament, the girls had six placers. Girls Varsity Results – Bismarck Rotary: 100: Brooklyn Ost, 2nd; 106: Ella Brown, 4th; 112: Monica Boakye, 6th; 118: Khylie Schlotz, 3rd and Fatimazahra Elbouab, 8th; 130: Madisyn Racine, 2nd. The boys also had a successful showing, earning multiple placers across both varsity and JV divisions. Boys Varsity Results – Bismarck Rotary: 107: Jack Combs, 5th; 133: Tayven Blackaby, 7th; 139: Korbin Kraft, 2nd; 215: Evan Berg, 3rd and Tucker Nelson, 4th; 285: Kale Risbrudt, 8th.
The two eventful weeks proved to be a success for both teams. As Minot United progresses through the season, the wrestlers look forward to the upcoming state tournament in February.
