Northern signs 11 wrestlers to upcoming wrestling season

Northern State University wrestling coach Rocky Burkett shared the 2024-25 roster additions today, heading into the start of the academic year. 11 student-athletes will join the Wolves in the coming days. Full information on each of the new additions is outlined below.
 
Grady Fey – 285, Redfield, S.D. / Redfield HS
Grady Fey is a 6-foot, 285-pound wrestler out of Redfield High School. He was a 6-year starter and team captain for the Pheasants under the direction of head coaches Doug Wright and Kelby Hawkins. Fey was a 4-time state placer, a 2-time runner-up, an eighth-place finisher, and 2024 South Dakota State Champion. In addition, he was a 3-time Aberdeen News All-Area team member. He is the son of Malinda and Casey Fey.
 
Sloan Johannsen – 125, Watertown, S.D. / Watertown HS
Sloan Johannsen is a 5-foot-4, 125-pound wrestler out of Watertown High School. He was a 5-year starter and team captain for the Arrows under the direction of head coach Chad Welch. Johannsen was a 3-time South Dakota State Champion and state runner-up. Johannsen recorded 155 straight victories, and finished his career as the winningest wrestler in Watertown High School history with a record of 181-3. In addition, Johannsen is a 2021 Fargo All-American, placing third in Greco. He earned All-ESD honors in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He is the son of Darin and Amanda Johannsen.
 
Gavin Johnson – 157, Kenyon, Minn. / Kenyon-Wanamingo HS
Gavin Johnson is a 6-foot, 157-pound wrestler out of Kenyon-Wanamingo High School. He was a 5-year starter and team captain for the Knights under the direction of head coach Nathan Lexvold. Johnson finished his senior campaign with a 38-3 record and a runner-up finish at the Minnesota State High School League Tournament. He was a 2-time state placer at the MSHSL Tournament and a member of the Gopher All-Conference team. He is the son of Dan and Erica Johnson.
 
Karstyn Lhotak – 133/141, Wagner, S.D. / Wagner HS
Karstyn Lhotak is a 5-foot-7, lower weight grappler out of Wagner High School. He was a 5-year starter and team captain for the Raiders under the direction of head coach David Kocer. Lhotak was a 4-time state qualifier, finishing as a South Dakota State Champion and two-time runner-up. He is the son of Brad and Jen Lhotak.
 
Brady Westall – 174, New Prague, Minn. / New Prague HS
Brady Westall is a 6-foot-1, 174-pound wrestler out of New Prague High School. He was a 4-year starter and team captain for the Trojans under the direction of head coach Dan Wagner. Westall tallied over 140 victories in his prep career, earning Metro West All-Conference honors in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. He was a top-4 finisher at Preseason Nationals and the Rumble on the Red. Westall finished his senior campaign with a 47-8 record and third place finish at the state meet. He is the son of Jesse and Joleen Westall.
 
Rayden Zens – 125/133, Aberdeen, S.D. / Central HS
Rayden Zens is a 5-foot-4, lightweight wrestler out of Aberdeen Central High School. He was a 4-year starter and team captain for the Golden Eagles under the direction of head coach Donnie Bowden. Zens finished his career with a record of 156-27 and four state placings. Zens won the 2024 South Dakota State Championship, was a 4-time all-conference selection, and all-state honoree. In addition, he helped lead Aberdeen Central to a third place finish at the state duals championships. He is the son of Heather and Randy Zens.
 
Griffin Lundeen – 157/165, Thief River Falls, MN / Lincoln HS
Griffin Lundeen is a 5-foot-9, 157-pound wrestler out of Lincoln High School. He tallied a prep career record of 269-33 and broke the LHS school records for total wins (269), pins (167), season wins (53, 53), season pins (41), and matches (302). Lundeen won back-to-back state championships in 2023 and 2024, in addition to a pair of fifth place finishes in 2021 and 2022. In addition, he was a 2-time academic all-state honoree and Fargo Greco national finalist.
 
Damen Pape – 184, Hastings, Neb. / Hastings HS / Northern Colorado
Damen Pape is a 184-pound wrestler out of Hastings High School and Northern Colorado. He posted a prep record of 202-4, winning two Nebraska State Championships. In addition, Hastings won the team state championship his senior season. At UNC, Pape earned rookie of the year accolades.
 
Nate Hartman – 125, Omaha, Neb. / Millard West HS / Wartburg
Nate Hartman is a 125-pound wrestler out of Millard West High School and Wartburg College. At MWHS, Hartman was a Nebraska State placer. In two seasons at Wartburg, Hartman earned academic all-conference honors.
 
Cole Holien – 149/157, Atwater, Minn. / ACGC HS / Ridgewater Community College
Cole Holien is a 149-pound wrestler out of Atwater-Cosmos Grove High School and Ridgewater Community College. As a prep student-athlete, Holien tallied a fifth place finish at the Minnesota State High School League Tournament. In two seasons at RCC, Holien was a NJCAA All-American.
 
Nik Petsinger – 141, Ellendale, Minn. / NRHEG HS / Rochester Community & Technical College
Nik Petsinger is a 141-pound wrestler New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva (NRHEG) Public Schools and Rochester Community and Technical College. With NRHEG, Petsinger was a Minnesota State High School League Tournament qualifier.