Wrestling 2025: STMA's Landon Robideau closes career on 188-match winning streak

St. Michael-Albertville senior Landon Robideau bid adieu to a prep wrestling career of dominance Saturday, March 1 during the Minnesota State High School League’s Wrestling State Tournament at the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul.

He did so with class and grace.

Following his technical fall victory over Shakopee junior Kyler Walters, the 160-pounder kneeled at the center of the mat and silently gave thanks amid thunderous cheers from an appreciative crowd that over the years has watched him develop not only into one of Minnesota’s most dominant middleweights but grown into a respected leader committed to serving his team and others. 

His championship was the fourth consecutive and puts him in elite company with 26 others all-time who have achieved the feat. Robideau also concluded his career with a state-record 188 consecutive victories. 

“You dream of these moments your entire life,” said Robideau, who helped power the Knights to the Class AAA crown on Thursday. “To win that many in a row is a lot of hard work and belief. I lean on my faith to keep me going. That releases any burdens and allows me to wrestle freely.”

Shortly before Robideau wrapped up another championship with his fast and furious style, he had the opportunity to witness what he said was the most powerful moment for him during the three-day event. 

His younger brother, Lincoln, a ninth-grader, staged an upset when he defeated Hastings junior Trey Beissel, 4-1, in the 133-pound Class AAA championship match. Beissel was the state champion at 106 in 2023 and favored to win another. He has committed to wrestle at the University of Minnesota. 

“I’d rather him win a title than me,” Robideau said of his brother. "I am overwhelmed with joy for him.”

Robideau, an Oklahoma State recruit, finished his stellar prep career with 281 victories, third on Minnesota’s all-time list. He has not lost since the sixth match of his ninth-grade season. He won the 152-pound crown last season, the 132-pound title in 2023 and started the string with a championship at 126 pounds in 2022. 

“It’s been awesome to be with him during his growth and development,” St. Michael-Albertville head coach Josh Joriman said. “To see him on the mat is incredible, but the most impressive thing for me has been his growth off the mat. He has sacrificed his own training to help others. 

Before departing for the awards ceremony, Robideau was asked about his legacy.

“I’d like to be remembered as a great wrestler who did some nice things on the mat,” he said. “But mostly, I’d like to be remembered as a person of faith who was willing to serve others, to be a giver to those in need.”

In other news on Championship Saturday: 

• In the battle of champions from a season ago, Pipestone Area ninth-grader Miklo Hernandez raced past Staples-Motley ninth-grader Gabe Bjerga for a 13-2 major decision in the Class A 121-pound title match. Hernandez, who finished the season 42-0, was the Class A champion at 114 in 2024. Bjerga, who helped power the Cardinals to the Class A team title on Thursday, was the 107-pound champion in 2024. 
• Watertown Mayer junior Titan Friederichs completed a season of dominance with a 17-1 technical fall victory over Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted junior Raydon Graham in the Class AA 127-pound match. It was his third consecutive state title. Friederichs, who helped power the Royals to the Class AA team title on Thursday, won all of his individual bracket matches by technical fall.
• Trey Gunderson, a 139-pound senior from Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, captured his third Class A championship with an 18-1 technical fall victory over Westfield senior Bo Zweiner. He won the 106-pound crown in 2022 and another title last season at 133. He finished his career 199-2. 
• Waterville-Elysian-Morristown/Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton senior heavyweight Keegan Kuball won his third consecutive championship with an 11-6 decision over Goodhue junior Jack Carlson. He finished the season 43-1 and 163-13 since his ninth-grade year. Kuball will wrestle at Division III power Augsburg next season. 
• St. Michael-Albertville senior John Murphy successfully defended his Class AAA championship at 189 pounds with an exhilarating 13-11 victory over St. Cloud Tech junior Sutton Kennedy. 
• Bryce Burkett, a 172-pound senior at Watertown-Mayer, successfully defended his championship with an 11-3 major decision over Perham sophomore Tiegan Detloff. 
• Mahtomedi’s Evan McGuire completed his senior season 51-0 with a technical fall victory over junior Ivan Petrich in the Class AA 215-pound title match. McGuire has committed to wrestle for the University of Minnesota next season. 
• Chisago Lakes senior Logan Bender capped an undefeated season with a second consecutive Class AA heavyweight championship following a 5-1 victory over Austin senior Samuel Winkels. Bender has committed to wrestle at Northern Illinois. 

Briefly: 

• St. Michael-Albertville’s four individual championships gave the program 51. That vaults the Knights into fourth place all-time. Apple Valley continues to lead the way with 95, followed by Simley (72) and Anoka (53), respectively.
• Attendance for the three-day tournament was 58,283.